Family Nurse Partnership

The Family Nurse Partnership (FNP) is a preventive programme offered to young mothers 19 years and under, having their first baby.  It begins in early pregnancy and is orientated to the future health and wellbeing of the child.  The Family Nurses who deliver the programme come mainly from health visiting and midwifery and they receive extra training to equip them for this role.

Stoke on Trent is testing the FNP with other Primary Care Trust’s and Local authorities in England, to find out if the programme benefits children and families in this country.  The programme has had 30 years of development and three large scale research trials in the United States. These have shown consistent short and long term benefits for children and families.

The programme works with the strengths of the client and encourages them to fulfil their aspirations for their baby and themselves.  A pattern of weekly and fortnightly visits begins early in pregnancy that continues until the child’s second birthday.  The visits do not replace midwifery care but do deliver most of the Healthy Child Programme.  The nurses use programme guidelines, materials and practical activities to work with the mother, as well as the father and wider family, on understanding their baby, making changes to their behaviour, developing emotionally and building positive relationships.

Young mothers, having their first baby, can access the service via their midwife or the Young Parents Support Service.  Family nurses are friendly and visits are fun, flexible and informal.

Client's Views:

“I think we have bonded more, because of the activities we do.  I take time out with her and try those things.  I wouldn’t have thought to do that (pulling faces at the baby) if I didn’t have a Family Nurse”

“I didn’t expect to be involved. I thought it would be more for my girlfriend’s benefit but when I turned up she said she would help me as well.  I’ve learned about being a parent and that’s helped a lot.  I don’t mind doing the worksheets; I find them really useful”

“When I talk to her I can tell her things I can’t tell anyone else, so I am not so depressed”

Further information is available from:

Family Nurse Partnership
SureStart Community House
33 Holehouse Road
Abbey Hulton
ST2 8JP
Telephone: 01782 541004