Healthy Child Programme Recommissioning – Survey for Parents, Carers and Young People 

In October 2025, we carried out two surveys inviting parents, carers, young people and education staff to share their views and experiences to help shape the future of the Healthy Child Programme in Havering. 

The Healthy Child Programme provides support for all children and families, from pregnancy through to age 19, and up to 25 for young people with SEND (special educational needs and disabilities). This support is delivered through our Health Visiting and School Nursing services, which play an essential role in promoting the health and wellbeing of children, young people and their families: 

• Health Visitors support families from pregnancy until a child is 5, offering regular visits and expert advice. 

• School Nurses work with children and young people in schools, focusing on emotional wellbeing, healthy relationships, healthy weight and more. 

Here's the feedback from both surveys:

Survey for Parents, Carers and Young People (Aged 16+) 

We received 47 online responses to this survey, of these, 45 were from parents or carers and 2 were from young people aged 16 or over. 

• Respondents reported that Health Visiting support was mainly accessed through health reviews (i.e. new baby review, 6-8 week review and 1-year review), with nearly half of respondents also using the Single Point of Access for advice. 

• Around 31% of respondents reported that they received timely support from the Health Visiting Service either ‘always’ or ‘most of the time’. However, several respondents described delays, rushed or impersonal contacts. 

• Around 36% of respondents reported being ‘very satisfied’ or ‘satisfied’ with the support provided by the School Nursing Service. Several respondents also expressed the need for more school nurses.  

• Around 30% of respondents reported that they received timely support from the School Nursing Service either ‘always’ or ‘most of the time’. 

• School Nursing support for children with health conditions or disabilities is highly valued and is currently the most frequently accessed type of support.   

• Respondents identified mental health support for school-aged children as key priority for the School Nursing Service in the future. 

Overall, residents would like increased staffing and availability, restored clinics/drop-ins, better communication and promotion of services, improved continuity between stages and more personalised, evidence-based support for specific topic areas such as sleep and infant feeding. 

Survey for Havering Education Staff 

We received 15 online responses to this survey, of these, 7 were from school safeguarding staff, 5 from school leaders (headteachers or governors), 2 from Special Educational Needs Coordinators (SENCOs) and 1 from an Early Years provider. 

• Respondents felt that strong relationships matter; individual nurses were praised as approachable and supportive, with consistent contact leading to more positive experiences. 

• It was felt that capacity pressures affect access as higher caseloads and stretched resources have reduced availability, leading to delays, inconsistent contact and more reactive support. 

• Respondents said that Safeguarding and SEND support is highly valued; schools particularly value support for pupils with health conditions/disabilities and safeguarding, including care plans, and Child Protection meetings. 

• Schools highlighted a need for more mental health support and a return to preventative work. 

• Although there is limited and inconsistent support for school avoidance, respondents felt that where it is provided, it has had a positive impact. 

Overall, education staff would like increased staffing, restored onsite drop-ins and workshops, regular visits, clearer communication about the service remit and more training/support for staff and parents. 

We have incorporated your feedback into a comprehensive service review of Havering’s Healthy Child Programme. This review summarises what is working well and identifies areas for improvement and highlights feedback from residents and local professionals. 

Your feedback will directly shape the future delivery of the Healthy Child Programme in Havering.