Brighter Futures Healthy Families Service

Thurrock Council wishes to undertake a soft market testing to explore what changes can be made to the model and delivery of its Healthy Child Programme, known locally as the Healthy Families Service (HFS).

HFS provides universal, targeted and specialist public health service offer to children and young people 0-19 years (up to 25 in case of SEND).

Health visitors lead the 0-5 element of the healthy child programme starting in the antenatal period when they meet people in their own homes, ending when the child enters school.

The service is delivered from several settings including local community and primary care settings.

The service is delivered in line with the 6 overarching high impact areas during 5 mandated visits (plus one at 3-4 months).

School nurses lead the 5-19 element of the healthy child programme which is delivered through schools, via digital and other virtual support.

The school nurses build on early identification of children in need of support and also support for the 6 high impact areas.

Although there are no mandated visits for this element, the school nursing team are expected to see children in reception year when they have their vision and hearing checks and are measured as part of the National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP).

Children will again be measured as part of NCMP in year 6.

The school nursing team will also have some contacts with children and young people 5-19 at points through their education e.g. at transition points or when there is a need for support.

The Council will host a soft market engagement event for existing and potential providers to meet and explore what the redesigned HFS service might look like in Thurrock for 2024 and beyond.

Please download the document available on In-Tend for further information, including the event details and how to register your attendance.

You must register in accordance with the process outlined in the document.