A-Z of Services
Public Health Nursing
- About us
- Learning and development
- School Nursing
- Infant Feeding: Healthy Weight and Nutrition
- Family Nurse Partnership
- Health Visiting
About us
Who we are
The School Immunisation Team is made up of specially trained nurses and administrative support workers.
What we do
We offer the Routine Childhood Vaccinations to school aged children in school and community and clinic settings:
Where the service is delivered:
- School setting
- Clinics setting
- Outside of school settings i.e Home
HPV
The national NHS HPV vaccination programme uses a vaccine called Gardasil 9. 2 doses are required, with a minimum of 6 months’ gap between each dose. Gardasil protects against 9 types of HPV: 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58. These types of HPV also cause some anal and genital cancers, and some cancers of the head and genital warts.
Teenager School Booster
The 3-in-1 Td/IPV vaccine, is given by a single injection into the upper arm to boost protection against 3 separate diseases: tetanus, diphtheria and polio. The MenACWY vaccine is given by a single injection into the upper arm and protects against 4 strains of the meningococcal bacteria – A, C, W and Y – which cause meningitis and blood poisoning (septicaemia).
Nasal Flu
This annual vaccination programme is in place to help protect your child against the flu. Vaccinating healthy children also helps to protect those more vulnerable by reducing the spread and transmission of flu. The vaccine forms part of the routine immunisation schedule for all children from Reception to school Year 6. It is given via a quick and simple spray up the nose. There is an injectable flu vaccine that does not contain porcine gelatine - this is offered at our community clinics. Please see link regarding vaccines containing porcine gelatine
https://www.britishfatwacouncil.org/2020/10/fatwa-on-flu-vaccine-containing-porcine-gelatine/
Measles, Mumps and Rubellar (MMR)
The MMR vaccine is a safe and effective combined vaccine. It protects against 3 serious illnesses: Measles, Mumps and Rubella. These highly infectious conditions can easily spread between unvaccinated people and can lead to serious problems including mengitis, hearing loss and problems during pregnancy. 2 doses are required so if your child has missed a dose we will offer it alongside their other school aged vaccinations. The vaccine used does not contain porcine gelatine.
Consent Process
Please click on the link below to complete the relevant consent form. Should you need any assistance in completing the consent form within the required timeframe please contact us as stated below.
Home | Vaccination (verseonecloud.com)
Contact us
Please call the team to book an appointment 0208 274 6453 if your child has missed their vaccinations.
Learning and development
Who we are
The role of the practice educator is broad and diverse as it entails providing an educational concept for children’s services across the 0-19 teams which incorporates health visiting, school nursing and immunisation teams.
What we do
The practice educator fosters an environment which values education as part of the philosophy of the practice area. The practice educator facilitates student induction and ensures the practice area is conducive for learning. Close links are maintained with academic institutions.
Pathways
How to become a nurse
(Nursery nurse/ SNA wants to become a nurse) Training nursing associate programme
How to become a public health nurse (HV, SN, FNP, Imms Nurse) – NHS Careers: Public Health Nurse
Education: (Training provided) healthy weight and nutrition, child development, building resilience, practice assessor/ supervisor, audits,
Roles in public health | Health Careers
Continued Professional development
We also provide funding (allocated by Health Education England) towards the continued personal/professional development (CPPD) of our clinical workforce. Registered health professionals (including nurses, nursing associates, midwives, and some AHPs) are eligible for this funding, which can be used towards conferences, courses and study.
For further information, please contact Jane Manns, Head of Nursing for Practice Development on jane.manns2@nhs.net
Apprenticeship / Nurse Associate Programme
Are you a nursery nurse, healthcare assistant or school nurse assistant?
As an apprentice you’ll be supported by your manager, a training provider and an assigned tutor who will be responsible for answering any of your questions, addressing support needs and checking how you’re getting on with your work and studies. You’ll also have 20% off the job training to cover attending classes, practical training, learning support, and carrying out research.
Apprenticeship available in Nursing to obtain a qualification to become a nurse associate. This is a two year foundation degree at level 5.
SCPHN Students
Every year we have student health visitors or school nurses who undertake the Specialist Community Public Health course for the year.
Currently they attend Greenwich University for academics and have practice placements with the trust and are allocated a practice supervisor and practice assessor.
Preceptorship
The first part of the preceptorship programme is covered at the hospital then you will have a tailored community one focusing on the service you work for (HV,SN, Immunisation, family nurse partnership).
Benefits of preceptorship:
- Opportunity to consolidate learning and have more exposure of working in their practice
- Continued professional development
- Positive emotional well-being of the individual e.g. feeling valued
- Improved recruitment and retention
Resources
Institute of Health Visiting – corporate membership
School and Public Health Nurses Association (SAPHNA)
NMC
Health visiting and school nursing service delivery model - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Vacancies: http://jobs.croydonhealthservices.nhs.uk/
Contact us
Healthy Child Programme – Practice Educator, (SCPHN – School Nurse)
Croydon Health Services NHS Trust
12-18 Lennard Road
Croydon
CR9 2RS
Work number: 02082746341
Work mobile: 07584886349
School Nursing
Who we are
Who we are?
The school health team consists of:
- Specialist Community Public Health Nurses,
- Staff nurses
- School Assistants
Collectively we are The School Health Team who are part of the 0-19 Public Health Nursing Team
What we do
Healthy Child Programme: 5 to 19 years old - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
We work with:
- Children and young people from reception to year 13
- Young people who are school aged who are not in Education or employment (NEET)
Are aim is to prevent:
- ill health,
- support the emotional health and wellbeing of children
- Ensuring health needs are supported within school and community
- We work with other professionals to safeguard children and young people
- Signpost to local services.
Primary School Reception - Year 6
We can advise and support on:
- Any immediate concerns
- National Childhood Measurement Program (NCMP)
- Vision Screening
- Support with sleep and behaviours issues
- Sign post for support with wetting and soiling.
- Healthy eating and lifestyle
- Emotional health and wellbeing
- Complex health needs.
Secondary Schools - Year 7 - Year 13
We can advise and support on common issues such as:
- Any immediate concerns
- National Childhood Measurement Program (NCMP)
- Vision Screening
- Support with sleep and behaviours issues
- Sign post for support with wetting and soiling.
- Healthy eating and lifestyle including Sexual Health, Smoking Cessation, use of substances
- Emotional health and wellbeing
- Complex health needs.
National Child Measurement Programme
Staff from the School Health Team will weigh and measure children at their school. We will notify you of your child’s results by letter.Staff from the School Health Team will weigh and measure children at their school. We will notify you of your child’s results by letter.
Vision Screening
The School Health Team visit children in reception to complete vision screening.
If necessary you will receive a letter advising you of further assessment required.
If at any time, you are concerned about your child’s vision, your local optician can test their vision free of charge
Recommended Websites (Resources)
Additional Resources
Bedwetting
ERIC
Healthy Lifestyle - Including Diet & Exercise
https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/
Emotional wellbeing
KOOTH
CAMHS Croydon
https://slam.nhs.uk/croydon-camhs
Parenting support & Early Help
https://www.croydon.gov.uk/children-young-people-and-families/early-help-support
Youth Centre & Activities
Childline
NSPCC
Croydon Sexual health
https://www.croydonsexualhealth.nhs.uk/
Substance Use
Contacting the school nurse
Contacting the school Nurse
Call the School Health Team on: 020 8274 6391
Email us at: ch-tr.croydonschoolnurses@nhs.net
Infant Feeding: Healthy Weight and Nutrition
Who we are
Who we are and what we offer
We support the right of all parents to make informed choices about how to feed your baby and we will support you in your decision. Breastfeeding is the healthiest way to feed your baby. There are important benefits which breastfeeding provides for both mother and baby and we therefore encourage breastfeeding.
Croydon NHS health visiting service currently holds stage 2, of the Unicef Baby Friendly Initiative. We are currently working towards stage 3 accreditation.
https://www.unicef.org.uk/babyfriendly/accreditation/
Getting off to the best start
It is a good idea to start thinking about how you would like to feed your baby during pregnancy. This will you give you time to consider your options, find out more information and ask any questions you may have, before your baby is born.
Talking to your midwife can be helpful; Croydon Maternity breastfeeding team can be contacted here:
Birth experience can have an impact on Signs of effective feeding in the early days - La Leche League GB Some top tips to help get things going are:
- Have lots of skin to skin contact with your baby
- Understanding a correct latch Graphic of a baby attaching on the breast | Best Beginnings
- Look for early feeding cues (stirring, mouth opening, turning head, seeking/rooting)
- Expect your baby to want to feed 8-12 times in 24 hours, that’s roughly every 2-3 hours.
Breastfeeding in the first 6 months
In the early days and weeks it is common to question, is my baby getting enough?
Making sure your baby is latched well at the breast can be key in establishing a good breastmilk supply and a happy breastfeeding journey.
Signs your baby is well latched at the breast:
C – Close to mum
H – Baby’s head is free
I – In a straight line
N – Nose to nipple
S – Sustainable and comfortable position
In the early days and weeks it is common to question, is my baby getting enough?
Making sure your baby is latched well at the breast can be key in establishing a good breastmilk supply and a happy breastfeeding journey.
Signs your baby is well latched at the breast:
C – Close to mum
H – Baby’s head is free
I – In a straight line
N – Nose to nipple
S – Sustainable and comfortable position
https://breastfeeding.support/a-good-start-to-breastfeeding/
Sometimes there can be breastfeeding challenges and many parents find questions come up as their baby grows and develops. Leaning how to hand express can be a very useful skill to have, especially if needing to resolve engorgement or mastitis.
Introducing Solid Foods
Around the time your baby is 6 months old, they may be ready to begin trying solid foods. Milk will still be your baby’s main source of nutrition as they transfer to a solid food diet. Signs that your baby is ready for solid foods;
- Sit up unaided and hold their head steady
- Co-ordinate their eyes hands and mouth, so they can pick up the food and putt in their mouth themselves.
- Swallow foods, babies who are not ready, will push the food back out of their mouth.
For further information on suitable foods to offer your baby, more information can be found here
Longer-term breastfeeding
It is quite normal to breastfeed babies well into their second year, and this can vary greatly depending on both the mothers and baby’s wishes. You may question how long should my baby be breastfed? Or you may have questions about how to stop breastfeeding?
Breastfeeding in special circumstances
Sometimes there may be unique circumstances to consider when breastfeeding your baby. If you have more than one baby, or your baby needs to spend time in special care
Contact us
If you have any questions or concerns about breastfeeding and would like to speak with a member of the team, you can telephone 020 8714 2985, lines are monitored Monday-Friday 09.30-16.30 excluding bank holidays. Outside of these hours, you can leave a voice message.
Alternatively, you can email ch-tr.breastfeedingteam@nhs.net
If you need breastfeeding support outside of normal office hours, you can call:
National Breastfeeding Helpline 0300 100 0212 lines are open 09.30-21.30 every day of the year
NCT feeding support line 0300 330 0700 lines are open 08.00-midnight every day of the year
Family Nurse Partnership
Who we are
Who we are
Family Nurse Partnership (FNP) is for first time parents aged 19yrs and under or 24yrs if a care leaver. Young mothers-to-be are paired with a specially trained family nurse who visits them regularly, from early pregnancy until their child is aged between one and two.
What we offer
Take a look at our Healthy child programme to find out what we are about.
How the programme works
Family nurses use FNP programme materials and methods to enable young mothers (and fathers) to achieve three main aims:
- To improve their pregnancy outcomes, so that their baby has the best start in life.
- To improve their child’s health and development by developing their parenting knowledge and skills.
- To improve parents’ economic self-sufficiency, by helping them to achieve their aspirations (such as employment or returning to education).
Information on the program including how it works, please click the link below.
The Family Nurse Partnership | (fnp.nhs.uk)
Programme materials
Information on the program including how it works, please click the link below.
The Family Nurse Partnership | (fnp.nhs.uk)
Family nurses use FNP programme materials and methods to enable young mothers (and fathers) to achieve three main aims:
- To improve their pregnancy outcomes, so that their baby has the best start in life.
- To improve their child’s health and development by developing their parenting knowledge and skills.
- To improve parents’ economic self-sufficiency, by helping them to achieve their aspirations (such as employment or returning to education).
Referral process
Please complete the form below if you wish to engage with the FNP Team.
FNP Notification form.doc [doc] 359KB
Contact us
- Telephone us: 020 8274 6303
- Email: mhn-tr.croydonFNP@nhs.net
This service operates Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm, excluding bank holidays. During out–of–hours, anyone who texts the service will receive an automated message with advice on where to get help if their question is urgent.
Health Visiting
Who we are?
The Health Visiting Team consists of:
- Specialist Community Public Health Nurses,
- Staff nurses
- Nursery Nurses
Collectively we are The Health Visiting Team who are part of the 0-19 Public Health Nursing Team
For information from the Institute of Health Visiting, click here .
What we offer
We work with :
- All Families with children aged 0 – 5 years old, who are registered with a Croydon GP or resident within the Croydon Borough.
Are aims:
- To deliver the Health Child Program aged 0-5 years
- To identify health needs as early as possible
- Improve health & wellbeing by promoting health,
- preventing ill health
- reducing equalities
- We work with other professionals to safeguard children and families.
- We work with other professionals to provide support to all families where required.
- Signpost to local services within the Croydon borough.
There are key times which you can expect to have contact from the 0-5 team. This universal service offered to every family includes mandated contacts as part of the healthy child programme (See below).
Health visitors are specialist community public health nurses, (SCPHN) registered midwives or nurses.
They specialise in working with families with a child aged 0 to five to identify health needs as early as possible and improve health and wellbeing by promoting health, preventing ill health and reducing inequalities
Becoming a new parent can be daunting especially knowing what is normal or not. As you get to know your baby will get easier. Health visitors are a great source of support and information, see here .
Please see the Department of Health Healthy Child Programme here.
Antenatal visits
Health Visitors work in partnership with midwives and can visit after the 28th week of pregnancy.
We can advise and support on:
- Keeping you and your baby safe
- Information about diet, vitamin supplements
- Smoking cessation,
- Maternal mental health,
- Baby’s sleeping position.
- Information relating to your feeding choice
- Any immediate concerns
- This gives you and your partner the opportunity to discuss your pregnancy, health and wellbeing. Further discussion about your baby and future plan following the birth
New birth review
Following your baby’s birth, the Health visitor will arrange a Face to face visit within 10- 14 days in your own home.
We can advise and support on:
- Support with your feeding choices
- Safe sleep
- Screening and National Immunisation Schedule
- Health and Wellbeing of the family
- Mental Health
- Local support services
- Any immediate concerns
6-8 weeks review
6-8 weeks following your baby’s birth, the Health visitor will see you at Face to face visit.
This contact will include:
- Addressing your immediate concerns
- Support with your feeding choices
- Safe sleep
- Screening and National Immunisation Schedule
- Health and Wellbeing of the family
- Local support services
- Focus on Maternal Wellbeing
- Highlight 6-8 week medical review
9-12 Month Review
9-12 months of your baby’s age, your baby will have their first Health Review. A member of the Health Visiting Team will complete this.
The review will include:
- Addressing any immediate concerns
- 'Ages and Stages' questionnaire, to help understand the progress of your baby’s development
- Assess growth
- Support and advice the importance of all health lifestyles, healthy eating and healthy sleep practices,
- Review Immunisations schedule
- Sign post to local Play and communication activities.
- Assess maternal wellbeing and additional support required
- Health and Wellbeing of the family
2-2.5 Year Health Review
2-2.5 years of your child’s age, they will have their second Health Review. A member of the Health Visiting Team will complete this.
The review will include:
- Addressing any immediate concerns
- 'Ages and Stages' questionnaire, to help understand the progress of your baby’s development
- Assess growth
- Assess communication skills including play and reading activities.
- Support and advice with Potty training.
- Support and advice with behaviour.
- Support and advice with sleep.
- Importance of Dental health.
- Review Immunisations schedule
- Sign post to local Nurseries or Early Years Setting
- Health and Wellbeing of the family
- Assess maternal wellbeing and additional support required.
Chat health & contact us
1. Chat Health - You can text your NHS Health Visiting Service on 07507 334150 . This provides a texting service for parents and carers, giving advice and support with children’s physical and emotional health
This is an easy way for parents and carers with children aged 0-4 to ask for help about a range of issues.
The Croydon Health Visiting team will respond to texts within one working day. The service will be available from Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm, excluding bank holidays. During out–of–hours, anyone who texts the service will receive an automated message with advice on where to get help if their question is urgent.
Messages are charged at your usual rates - for further information you can view the ChatHealth Flyer
2. Duty Telephone system : 0208 274 6006 – Option 1 - You can speak to a member of the Health Visiting This service operates Monday to Friday 9am – 4.30pm, excluding bank holidays.
3. Booking Appointments via Admin Hub : You can speak to a member of the Administration Team to booked your child’s health review on 0208 274 6006 option 2
This service operates Tuesday & Thursday 10am – 2pm