Babies, children, young people and families

Information, referral pathways and resources for children and family services

Introduction

Pregnancy and the first 1001 days of a baby’s life, as they develop into childhood and adolescence, build the foundations for lifelong health and wellbeing.

Supporting parents, carers and families is key to giving every child the best start in life.

Services commissioned by Public Health

Public Health Nursing Services

There are a range of services available:

  • Health visitors will have regular contact with you starting from pregnancy and your baby’s birth all the way to pre-school years, helping with issues such as feeding, health, growth and development, play and school readiness.
  • School nursing teams work with school aged children and their families to support with general health and wellbeing and promote healthy behaviours for life.
  • ChatHealth is a confidential text service for parents, carers and young people, connecting you with trained nurses who can help with a wide range of health and wellbeing concerns.
  • Hampshire Healthy Families: find help and support for many of the common issues affecting parents and carers of babies and children.

Other services

We also provide the following services:

  • New Parents Meet and Connect are free drop-in sessions in local libraries, perfect for parents and carers with newborn babies to meet up.
  • Hampshire Happy Talkers provides parents of 0-5 year olds and professionals with advice and resources, or specialist support, where needed, to aid your child’s speech and language development.
  • First Words Together is for parents and carers of babies aged 6-24 months who have concerns about their child’s talking or listening. You can request a place yourself online or ask a health professional to refer you for five sessions run at a local library.
  • Hampshire Healthy Steps helps parents and carers of 2-12 year olds with eating well, sleeping well, getting active and healthy teeth. You can sign up yourself online or ask a health professional to refer you to these friendly group sessions.
  • Togetherness: explore these valuable free courses designed to boost your parenting skills and confidence, plus courses for teens, grandparents and professionals working with children. You’ll find one just for you, from pregnancy to birth, through early years, all the way to teens.
Referral pathways

It’s easy to sign up online to all of these services through their websites. A health professional can also refer you.

Campaigns

Discover and share accurate, practical information about school readiness: Toilet training made easy: a parent’s step-by-step guide

Training and resources
  • The Solihull Approach provides free training developed by psychologists and professionals to build on your skills and knowledge of trauma, brain development, and attachment
  • Hampshire Health in Education provides free e-learning for education settings on a range of health topics, from early years to post-16, in partnership with Hampshire County Council to deliver an annual wellbeing survey in secondary schools
  • #BeeWell work in partnership with Hampshire County Council to deliver an annual wellbeing survey in secondary schools
Strategies and policies