It was great to be able to listen in to a really powerful launch of the Government's new Early Year's Review.
It highlights 6 action areas which are key to improving health outcomes in babies and young children:
- seamless support for families: local authorities will be encouraged to publish a clear Start for Life offer for parents in their area – a single publication making parents and carers aware of what support they can expect in their local area, including services they should expect to receive like health visits, and localised and specialist services, such as help to quit smoking and intensive parenting support
- a welcoming hub for families: this builds on the government’s commitment to champion family hubs, making them a place for families to access Start for Life services, such as childcare, early education and healthcare, as well as advice on jobs and training
- the information families need when they need it: designing digital, virtual and telephone services around the needs of the family, including digitising the personal child health record, commonly known as the ‘red book’
- an empowered Start for Life workforce: developing a modern skilled workforce to meet the changing needs of families with babies, looking at new ways to support and empower staff to increase retention of health visitors
- continually improving the Start for Life offer: health services for families and babies must improve data, evaluation and outcomes to ensure they are meeting a family’s needs. Work will continue across the system to hold local services to account, including through proportionate inspections, giving parents and carers confidence and assurance that services are working in their area
- leadership for change: work will begin to encourage local areas to nominate a leader and to ensure the delivery of the review is overseen at a national level
The first 1001 days of a child's life are absolutely vital in getting them on the right track for life. Having listened to the experts and the Parliamentarians involved in making this happen I'm confident that we can make a real difference in this area.
You can read more about the review on the Government website.
