Healthy Children's Centre Programme
The Healthy Children’s Centre Programme aims to improve health outcomes of children and their parents, from pregnancy through the first five years. This programme provides an opportunity to strengthen the relationship between children’s centres and health partners to provide young children and their families with the most effective health services to improve their health outcomes.
The programme is audited by a set of standards which reflect the key health priorities for children in Barnet, in the following areas:
- Healthy Weight, healthy lives (Breastfeeding, complementary feeding, Nutrition and Physical activity)
- Improving the oral health of children (improving oral health promotion and access to NHS dentistry)
- Emotional health and wellbeing of children and parent/carers
- Reducing alcohol and substance misuse
- Increasing coverage rate of childhood immunisations.
How does a children’s centre achieve the Healthy Children’s Centres award?
In order to achieve the Healthy Children’s Centre award, Children’s Centre must adhere to and demonstrate the following:
- Families are provided with up-to-date, evidence-based information, allowing them to support the development and learning of their child.
- Staff understand the health priorities within their local reach areas and plan work to address identified needs.
- Staff work with relevant partner organisations and are aware of the correct referral pathways for additional support with children and their families.
- Ensure staff are receiving training in a range of health areas and are equipped with the skills and knowledge to identify development delays or health issues in children and families before escalation.
- Promoting a healthy environment around the centre and linked sites.