NI’s Family Nurse Partnership success inspires international interest

A delegation of midwives and government officials from Latvia have visited Northern Ireland to learn from the longstanding and successful delivery of the Family Nurse Partnership (FNP) programme.

Introduced in Northern Ireland in 2010, the Family Nurse Partnership is an evidence-based home visiting programme that supports first time young mothers—typically aged 19 and under—from early pregnancy until their child reaches two years of age. Funded by the Public Health Agency (PHA) and delivered by specially trained family nurses, the programme aims to improve maternal health, strengthen child development, and transform long term life outcomes for young families. Since its introduction, FNP has been implemented across all five local Health and Social Care Trusts and is tailored to each family’s needs.

During their visit, the Latvian team have met with the PHA and local FNP nurses to explore how Northern Ireland delivers, sustains and continually improves the programme.

The FNP programme in Northern Ireland has demonstrated clear benefits, including improved parent‑child relationships, better child development outcomes and increased engagement in education, training and employment among young mums. The visit reflects growing international interest in Northern Ireland’s early years expertise and commitment to sharing best practice.

Catherine Magennis, Lead for Breastfeeding and Family Nurse Partnership at the PHA, said: “We are delighted to welcome colleagues from Latvia who are keen to learn from our experience. The Family Nurse Partnership has made a real and lasting difference to young parents and their children, and we are proud of the relationship‑based, evidence‑driven support our nurses provide. This exchange is a valuable opportunity for mutual learning and strengthening our shared commitment to improving outcomes for young families.”

During the visit, discussions have focused on workforce development, partnership working, quality assurance and the positive impact on young parents and their children.

Deidre Webb, International Consultant for the FNP Programme, added: “Northern Ireland has consistently delivered FNP to a very high standard, and its impact is recognised internationally. The dedication of local teams and strong partnership working have created a model that other countries, including Latvia, are keen to understand. Exchanges like this help build global momentum for effective early years support and ensure more young families benefit from programmes that truly work.”

Both regions will continue to share learning and strengthen their approaches to supporting young parents, helping build strong, healthy foundations for children’s futures.