Barking and Dagenham Children and Families Health Service
The Barking and Dagenham Children and Families Health service delivers the Healthy Child Programme (HCP) in partnership with Barnardo’s. The HCP is a health care programme that is offered to families/ carers with children from antenatal to 19 years of age.
The service includes health visiting and school nursing service as well as the National Childhood Measurement Programme.
Health visiting service –for children and families aged 0-5
The health visiting service provides a community public health service to children, young people and their families with a focus on early intervention and prevention, as well as promoting physical, emotional and social wellbeing. We work with local communities, the whole family, and individual children in different settings including homes, clinics, children’s centres & schools.
Health visitors work closely with other health services to ensure that children’s health needs are met, and work with other non-health services to ensure that each and every child and young person lives and grows in a safe and healthy environment. We help support the health and wellbeing of your whole family, from antenatal visits up until your child goes to school.
We offer support and advice on the following:
- child growth and development
- immunisations
- childhood illnesses and ailments
- behavioural difficulties
- breast feeding, introducing solids,all infant feeding issues
- bonding and attachment
- postnatal depression
- domestic violence
- medical issues, child or family
- children with additional needs
- Safeguarding
Antenatal Support
The service will contact you any time after your 28th week of pregnancy to introduce you to our services. The topics covered will include:
- Assessment of the overall health and wellbeing of the mother
- Screening for any conditions that may have an impact on mother or baby
- Smoking in either parent
- Folic acid and other dietary or lifestyle advice as required
- Breastfeeding (including both parents’ attitudes)
- Mental health
- Feelings about pregnancy
- Assessment of risks and protective factors
- Parents’ relationship
- Assessment of the father’s health and wellbeing
This will also give you an opportunity to ask us any questions you
may have in relation to your pregnancy and the birth of your baby.
Antenatal Session Every Friday Barking Learning Centre 10 -11am
School nursing teams – for children and families aged 5-19 (25 with an Education Health Care Plan)
Our School Nursing teams are made up of Administrators, Support workers, Community Staff Nurses and Specialist Community Public Health Nurses. The School Nursing team work with children and families from aged 5 up to 19 years. The team work in the community and in partnership with their allocated schools. They work to provide a link between school, home and the community, with the main aim of improving health and wellbeing. We also have a specialist nurses (EOTAS Nurse) supporting Children and Young People who do not attend an education setting, or attend alternative education provisions.
The school nursing service works in partnership with children, young people and their families to ensure that children’s health needs are supported within their school and their community. The team provides support to schools, families and children, including those with disabilities and complex emotional needs, on a wide range of topics.
These include:
- Support on health lifestyles
- Stopping smoking and obesity
- Social education and citizenship
- Carrying out development screening
- Supporting / signposting children with medical needs such as asthma, diabetes, epilepsy to appropriate services
- Early intervention for children and young people requiring emotional support
Barking and Dagenham Children and Families Health Service – Drop In Services
- Monday - Thames View Health Centre, Bastable Avenue, Barking, IG11 0LG
- Tuesday - Julia Engwell Health Centre, Woodward Road, Dagenham, RM9 4SR
- Wednesday - Five Elms Health Centre, Five Elms Road, Dagenham, RM9 5TS
- Thursday - Child and Family Centre, 79 Axe Street, Barking, IG11 7IZ
- Friday - Chadwell Heath Health Centre, Ashton Gardens, Dagenham, RM6 6RT
- Contact us
National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP)
As part of the National Child Measurement Programme, children are weighed and measured at school. The information is used by the NHS and your local council to plan and provide better health services for children.
If you have a child in reception (ages 4 and 5) or year 6 (ages 10 and 11), you’ll receive a letter with more information before your child is measured.
On the day, trained staff will weigh your child and measure their height while they’re in their clothes at school. They’ll make sure the measurements are done sensitively and in private, and your child’s results will not be shared with teachers or other children.
Some children may feel anxious about the process, with concerns ranging from being measured in front of peers to fears that they may be receiving vaccinations. To help with these worries, NELFT has co-produced an animation designed with children’s drawings for school nursing teams to show to pupils in Year 6. The animation offers reassurance and explains what happens on measurement day and most importantly that everyone is different, and healthy bodies come in all shapes and sizes.
To find out more about the NCMP, please follow this link: The National Child Measurement Programme – NHS
How to Contact Health Visitors and School Nurses
Venue: Child and Family Centre, 77 Axe Street, Barking, Essex, IG11 7LZ.
Tel: 0300 300 1813.
Opening times: Monday to Friday 09.00 – 17.00.
Online through the Virtual Assistant: https://www.nelft.nhs.uk/0-19-service