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The massive impact of health visits

2 mins read The Early Years Blog
At the annual Adventures with Alice Pedagogy and Play Residential, I listened to Suzanne Zeedyck speak passionately about the importance of connecting with babies. In particular, helping parents and Early Years staff understand the importance of this connection.
June O'Sullivan is chief executive of the London Early Years Foundation (LEYF). Picture: LEYF
June O'Sullivan is chief executive of the London Early Years Foundation (LEYF). Picture: LEYF

So, I revisited the State of Health Visiting UK Survey Report from January 2023 because when health visitors work with their Early Years colleagues in all settings, it provides a huge opportunity for early intervention thereby limiting the risk of bonding and developmental issues escalating.  

There was a time when nearly all families had a health visitor through their universal reach. I remember knowing the local health visitors who would pop into the nursery and have a chat, maybe observe an issue of concern, reassure staff or meet families in the safety of the nursery. But that changed a long, long time ago.

Yet, that is a real concern in our post Covid world where we are seeing widening health inequality, escalating parental stress and mental health problems and many children at more serious safeguarding risk especially those children from the more vulnerable families.   

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