Rapid review to update evidence for Healthy Child Programme 0-5

Abstract

The Healthy Child Programme (HCP) is the key universal public health service for improving the health and wellbeing of children through health and development reviews, health promotion, parenting support, screening and immunisation programmes. The current programme for 0-5 year-olds is based on the evidence available at the time of the last update of the HCP 0-5 years in 2009. As local authorities take on the commissioning of the HCP 0-5 years and its delivery via the universal health visiting service, it is important that it is underpinned by the latest evidence. The purpose of this rapid review is therefore to update the evidence. Specifically, the aim is to synthesise relevant systematic review level evidence about ‘what works’ in key areas: parental mental health; smoking; alcohol/drug misuse; intimate partner violence; preparation and support for childbirth and the transition to parenthood; attachment; parenting support; unintentional injury in the home; safety from abuse and neglect; nutrition and obesity prevention; and speech, language and communication. In addition, the review seeks to draw out key messages in relation to:  identifying families in need of additional support; the delivery/effective implementation of interventions at the programme/service level and individual practitioner level  workforce skills and training  the economic value/cost benefits of the HCP, including both health and wider societal costs [...]