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Worcestershire Public Health Nursing service
Public health nursing in Worcestershire is a service made up of different teams, including the school health nurses, health visitors, breastfeeding support and Smoke Free Homes advisors.
We work together to support children, young people, and families across Worcestershire to live happy, healthy lives.
Access support:
We place children, young people and families first, delivering safe high quality services that empower and enable children, young people and families to achieve their full potential.
Our aim is to respect and recognise each infant, child, and young person as unique individuals whose best interests must be paramount. We consider their physical, psychological, social, cultural, and spiritual needs, as well as those of their families. We deliver this through universal provision and targeted support to improve life chances and reduce health inequalities.
We work closely with community partners, education settings, other health services, and Worcestershire County Council to support families.
Worcestershire Health Visiting and School Nursing quick feedback survey
Links to community support:
Useful links and resources
The below resources have been shared with permission by startingreception.co.uk. To view the guidance in full, visit the Starting Reception website.
Growing independence
- Check out Parentkind’s online advice hub and magazine for parents ‘Be School Ready’
- Enjoy Family Corner’s 5 tips to help your child get ready for Reception
- Guidance for parents and practitioners - PACEY
- Download the free EasyPeasy mobile app for tips and activities to support everyday parenting moments
Taking care of themselves
- How can you make separating easier? - Family Corner
- Getting dressed and ready for the day - backward chaining information sheet - NHS
- Getting ready for the Day - BBC
Toilet training
- The Institute of Health Visiting has advice and tips on toilet training
- Simple and supportive toilet training advice - ERIC
- Potty training and bedwetting - NHS
- Pants4School - Down Syndrome UK
Playing, creativity and curiosity
- 5 steps for brain building through serve and return - Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University
- How to follow a child’s interest in play - National Literacy Trust
- How to role play with your child - Pretend role play - BBC
- How to role play with your child - Playing pretend animals - BBC
- Fire up their imagination with drawing - BBC
- What is mark-making and why is it important for learning? - PACEY
- Sharing story books on World Book Day - BBC
- Nature activities for children - BBC
- Learning and having fun on the bus - BBC
- Play a game of 'What's that sound?' - BBC
Building relationships and communicating
- The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood’s Shaping Us Framework outlines how these skills develop in early childhood
- Top tips for enjoying stories together and book recommendations for starting school - BookTrust
Being with others
- Learn how to support your child to make friends - Family Corner
- Understand your child's social development - Words for Life
- Practice sharing with toys - BBC
Communication and language
- You are your child’s first teacher – help them learn how to write their name - Words for Life
- Explore a range of approaches to language learning and development from NHS Start for Life
- Build your child’s imagination and language by making up stories together - BBC
Listening and engaging
Understand what 'healthy' levels of screen time are, by age
Get insights on internet safety, how screen use impacts young children and recommended screen time
And for those with younger children, the NCT covers advice for babies and toddlers too:
Help children build a strong relationship with food and make the right choices from the start
- Nutrition guidance - Department for Education
- Healthier families - NHS
- Five tips for helping your kids to eat healthily all year round - BBC
- Eating Well - First Steps Nutrition Trust
- Factsheet for healthy children's diets - Association of UK Dieticians
Brushing teeth
Sleep guidance
Support for children and young people with SEND
If you or someone you know needs support or information, you can look at the advice section on this website. You can also talk to the team who is supporting you.
- Urgent help and support in an emergency
- Support for children and young people with special educational needs and disability (SEND)
- Support available in Herefordshire while waiting for your appointment — Herefordshire and Worcestershire Integrated Care System
Children's occupational therapy webinars
Our Children’s Occupational Therapy team offers free online webinars for parents and carers, providing practical advice and strategies to support children and young people at home.
Choose the webinar that best matches your child’s needs:
- Making sense – for children with sensory sensitivities or difficulties affecting daily life. Book now.
- Skills for independence – practical ways to help children with additional needs develop everyday skills. Book here: Book now.
Moving and doing – for children who experience difficulties with coordination or everyday tasks such as dressing and using cutlery. Book now.
What to expect:
- Parent/carer-only sessions (children and young people should not attend)
- Approximately 1 hour long delivered via Microsoft Teams
- Opportunity to ask questions with an occupational therapist
- Presentation slides shared after the session
If you feel your child may need additional support after attending a webinar, contact our OT Advice Line on 0300 247 0017 Wednesday, 9am–12pm and Thursday, 1pm–4pm. For help with booking or joining a webinar, call 01562 514520.