What does a health visitor do?

Health visitors are nurses or midwives trained in community public health. They work to improve health and reduce inequalities through a proactive service for all children and their families.

They work with families who have new babies, offering support and advice from before birth until the child starts school. They are usually based in children’s centres, surgeries, and community or health centres.

They offer families several home visits from late pregnancy through to a developmental assessment when the child turns two. These visits usually take place at home, but the health visitor may also invite families to groups, clinics and networks outside the home.

Health visiting is about taking a holistic approach — so health visitors think about the child in the context of the wider family. By supporting the physical and mental health of all family members, the health visitor can best support the health and development of the child.

For instance, a health visitor can help families with advice on exercise and nutrition which, in turn, promotes wellbeing. They can also support couples in their relationship and how parents and carers bond with their child, allowing the child to feel happy and secure at home.

Regardless of the support being offered, health visiting is usually about early intervention — building good habits and dealing with issues as early as possible. This, in turn, leads to healthier children who can thrive in life, as well as better public health outcomes many years later.

At this time, it is important for families to stay connected with their health visitor, even if this is difficult due to lockdown restrictions. By continuing to have these conversations, health visitors can understand a family’s situation, identify those in need, and provide necessary help and support.

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