Who is this page for?
- Parents and carers
Need clear, reassuring information about the Health Visiting service, what support is available, their child’s health and development, and where to go for help or advice. - Expectant parents
Need information about antenatal contact with the Health Visiting service, preparing for parenthood, infant feeding and support available after their baby is born. - Families with babies and young children (0-5 years)
Need guidance on child development, health and development reviews, feeding, sleep, emotional wellbeing, safety and school readiness. - Families who may need additional support
Need information on accessing extra help, local services and community resources, as well as support for children’s wellbeing, development and safety. - Health and social care professionals
Need access to professional guidance, pathways, resources and information about the Health Visiting programme to support referrals and collaborative working. - Early years and community partners
Need an overview of the Health Visiting service, its role in supporting children and families, and links to relevant resources and support services.
What is health visiting service?
Health visiting is a free universal service for all families in Northern Ireland from pregnancy until your child starts school (ages 0-5 years)
Health visitors are qualified nurses or midwives with specialist training in public health, child development and family wellbeing.
Under the regional guidelines all families are offered a series of scheduled health & development reviews, including:
- Before your baby is born (antenatal contact)
- Shortly after birth (new birth visit)
Follow-up contacts at key stages of your child’s development. Appointments may take place:
- At home
- In a clinic
If you need extra support, your health visitor can offer additional visits or tailored help.
Who can use this service?
Health visiting is a universal service, which means it is available to every family. Every family in Northern Ireland is automatically assigned a named health visitor.
You do not need to apply, you will be contacted automatically during pregnancy or after your baby is born, however if you have recently moved to Northern Ireland you can contact the local health visiting service
You can also get in touch with your health visitor at any time if you have questions or need support. If you are not sure who your health visitor is you can ring your local health centre or GP practice to ask.
How health visitors support you
Your health visitor is there to help you give your child the best start in life. They work under the Healthy Child, Healthy Future framework providing essential support with:
- Your child’s growth and development
- Feeding and nutrition (breastfeeding, bottle feeding, weaning)
- Sleep and routines
- Behaviour and emotional wellbeing
- Speech and language development
- Parenting support and confidence
- Parental mental health
- Vaccination guidance
- Keeping your child safe at home and outdoors
They can also help if you are finding things challenging, including your own physical or emotional wellbeing.
Antenatal health visitor contact
During pregnancy, you may be offered an antenatal contact with a health visitor. This is an opportunity to discuss your family’s needs, prepare for your baby’s arrival and learn about the support available during the early years. It is also a chance to ask questions and build confidence as you get ready for parenthood
New birth visit
A health visitor will visit you shortly after your baby is born to welcome your family into the service. They can provide advice on feeding, sleeping, bonding with your baby, emotional wellbeing and adjusting to family life. This visit is an opportunity to discuss any concerns and identify any additional support you may need.
Health and development reviews
Throughout your child’s early years, you will be offered a series of health and development reviews. These appointments help monitor your child’s growth, development and wellbeing, while giving parents the opportunity to discuss progress, ask questions and receive guidance on supporting their child’s development.
Child development
Every child develops at their own pace. The Health Visitor will provide information on developmental milestones, including movement, communication, learning and social skills. This may include advice on activities that support development and guidance on what to do if you have concerns about your child’s progress.
Infant feeding
Feeding your baby is an important part of supporting healthy growth and development. The Health Visitor will provide information on breastfeeding, bottle feeding, responsive feeding and introducing solid foods. Practical tips and resources are available to help you make informed choices that work for your family and ensure your baby gets the best start in life.
Parenting support
Parenting can be both rewarding and challenging. The Health Visitor offers practical advice, resources and support to help you build positive relationships with your child, understand their behaviour and feel confident in your parenting journey.
Speech, language and communication
Children learn to communicate from birth through everyday interactions. The Health Visitor can help with activities to support speech, language and communication development, as well as information on recognising potential difficulties and accessing support when needed.
Emotional health and wellbeing
A child’s emotional wellbeing is an important part of healthy development. The Health Visitor will offer advice on building secure relationships, supporting emotional regulation, encouraging resilience and helping children manage feelings as they grow. This may also include information about parental wellbeing and where to find support.
Keeping your child safe
Children learn and explore through play, and creating a safe environment helps them do this confidently. The Health Visitor will provide guidance on safe sleep, accident prevention, home safety, road safety and online safety to help reduce risks and keep your child safe as they grow.
School readiness
Starting school is an important milestone for children and families. The Health Visitor can provide ideas and activities to help develop confidence, independence, communication, social skills and emotional wellbeing, supporting your child to be ready for learning and new experiences.
Additional support for families
Some families may need extra support at different stages of their child’s development. The Health Visitor can provide information about services, programmes and community resources that can provide practical, emotional or specialist support for parents, carers, babies and young children. Health visitors work closely with families and other services to help ensure children receive the support they need to grow up safe, healthy and thriving.
Working together for you and your family
Health visitors work closely with other services to make sure you get the right support, including:
- Midwives and GPs
- Early years and childcare services
- Family support and community services
This joined-up approach helps ensure the best outcomes for you and your child.
Key resources
This book provides information on caring for children up to five years old and contact details for useful organisations. It is available to new parents resident in Northern Ireland through primary care services (antenatal clinics, GPs or health visitors).
Support
- Your local Health Visiting Team – Contact your local Health Centre or GP Practice for details of your named Health Visitor. Monday to Friday, local office hours.
- Family Support NI – Information and signposting for families and support services. Available online 24 hours a day.
- Parentline - CiNI - 0808 8020 400
- Breastfeeding Support Service – Contact details vary by Health and Social Care Trust. Speak to your Health Visitor or Midwife for local support.
Information for professionals
- Healthy Child, Healthy Future | Department of Health - Regional framework for delivering universal health visiting and child health reviews.
- Health Visiting Service Guidance and Resources (PHA)
Guidance, tools and resources to support health visiting practice and service delivery. - Family Nurse Partnership (FNP) Programme | HSC Public Health Agency - Information on the programme supporting young first-time mothers and their children.
- Breastfeeding and infant feeding | HSC Public Health Agency
- Reducing the risk of sudden infant death: SIDS risk assessment tool for professionals | HSC Public Health Agency
- Infant Mental Health Framework for Northern Ireland | HSC Public Health Agency
- Infant Feeding Resources for Professionals (PHA)
Evidence-based guidance, training materials and resources to support infant feeding conversations with families. - Regional Child Health Promotion Resources (PHA)
Resources to support early childhood development, parenting, emotional wellbeing and school readiness. - Safeguarding children and young people | HSC Public Health Agency - Information, policies and guidance to support safeguarding practice and promote child welfare.
- Routine Enquiry into Domestic Abuse: Guidance for Midwives, Health Visitors, School Nurses and Family Nurses in Northern Ireland | HSC Public Health Agency.