The focus of our service is making sure that everyone in Essex has the best possible start in life through meeting the identified needs of children, young people and families.

Families have free, high quality and easy access to local public health services in their Community, School, family home or at our Family Hubs and Delivery Sites. These services available to you from Pre Birth up to the age of 19 (up to 25 years for SEND)

Antenatal to 1 Year

Before your baby arrives… Your antenatal appointment is a routine part of your antenatal care providing support and practical advice. Becoming parents can be an anxious time. This early contact is a perfect opportunity to meet our team and talk about your pregnancy and baby.

We also deliver Preparing for Baby workshops, covering topics relating to safer sleep, responding to baby’s cues and infant feeding and providing an opportunity to meet other expectant parents.

The midwifery service will let us know your baby has been born. We will make contact to see how you are and arrange a New Birth Home Visit for 10 – 14 days post birth. This visit will include a health assessment of your baby and the family and opportunity for us to provide support and you ask any questions. We have staff and volunteers who are trained to support with Infant Feeding, this can be offered via the phone, face to face or within a group, depending on what suits you best. Your pre booked appointment for a 6 – 8 week check will be a review of your baby’s development and growth, alongside the wellbeing of the whole family. This is in addition to your GP appointment.

We deliver various groups, sessions and drop in for you to access such as First Time Parents 4 Weeks Course, Baby Beginnings, Infant Massage, Perinatal Mental Health Support, Introducing Solids and many more these can be accessed through your local Family Hub or Delivery Site.

There for you at every stage

• Healthy Family Drop In’s provide parents and carers with health and wellbeing advice for their children.
• Self-weigh facilities are available in all of our Family Hubs and Delivery Sites, as well as other community venues, for you to self-weigh your baby or child and seek support.
• A duty Health Visitor is available during opening times via telephone, or face to face in our Family Hubs, for ongoing help and support

Prior to your child turning 1 years we shall undertake a Under 1 Year review of your child’s development using the Ages and Stages Parental Questionnaire (ASQ3), which assesses five key areas (gross motor, fine motor, communication, personal-social and problem solving).

For more information about the services available to you and your family in your area and to follow their Facebook page please click the link in the sidebar.