Family Nurse Partnership - Livewell Southwest

Family Nurses build a therapeutic relationship with clients to support their transition to parenthood and help young people become the best parents they can be. The development of an ongoing relationship, supported by skilled assessment, enables the nurse and young parent to identify how the programme can best be shaped to meet their needs.

This collaborative approach, alongside proficient use of programme approaches, tools, and materials, focuses on every aspect of parenting, from what to expect in pregnancy, infancy, and toddlerhood to breastfeeding, smoking cessation, healthy relationships, managing minor illness, reducing accidents, supporting child development, and accessing education, employment, or training.

The six nurses, a supervisor and a quality support officer work with colleagues and agencies across the city including GPs, health visitors, midwives, children's centres, Incredible Years and more, to give the new mums unprecedented one-to-one support until the child is two.

The FNP programme is delivered by the same nurse throughout the two-year period. She visits every week for the first four weeks in pregnancy, then fortnightly visits until the baby arrives. Following delivery, visits happen weekly for six weeks then fortnightly going forward.

With FNP support, occasionally parents achieve their goals and aspirations before their child is two years old.  A collaborative assessment with their Family Nurse  may result in clients graduating early  from the FNP programme if they feel ready. 

The benefits of engaging with the FNP programme extend beyond the young mum and her child, reaching the wider community.