Minutes

4        PROVISION OF HEALTH AND WELLBEING SERVICE FOR 0-19 YEAR OLDS (25 YEARS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE WITH SEND) – The Director: Public Health submitted a report seeking approval to reprocure the 0-19 (25 SEND) Health and Wellbeing Service (Health Visiting and School Nursing).

Upper tier councils had a legal duty to organise provision of Health Visiting, School Nursing and the National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP) as part of the Healthy Child Programme (HCP).  The HCP was a national programme of screening, immunisation, developmental reviews and advice for parents, which aimed to lay a strong foundation for a healthy life.

The council’s elements of the HCP were for 0-19 year olds, extending to 25 years for young people with special educational needs and disability (SEND).  The council’s approach was called the North Lincolnshire HWS – the Health & Wellbeing Service for 0-19s (25 SEND).

The HWS included Health Visitors, who aimed to see every new baby in North Lincolnshire in the first few weeks of life.  The universal coverage of the service made it ideally placed to support new parents and pick up any problems early.

The report gave details of the focus of the HCP and how the HWS was delivered.

In 2015 the responsibility for Health Visiting, School Nursing and NCMP transferred from the NHS to local government.  At the time the services were delivered in parallel and there was a desire locally to move to a more aligned approach around the family with fewer hands offs between service elements.

In 2017 a contract was awarded for a new model of service, with brought together the different components of Public Health Nursing across North Lincolnshire.  Over the period of the contract there had been a great deal of progress in integrating the services and offer to families. 

The contract was awarded for an initial three year period.  If the provider discharged its responsibilities under the service specification effectively, there was the option to extend twice for additional twelve month instalments with the same terms and conditions.

The contract was extended in 2019 until July 2022.  As the contract came to an end, a decision was needed in early 2022 on arrangements for future safe delivery from July 2022 and for any longer term transformation of the programme as part of the council’s One Family Approach.

Resolved – (a) That Option 3, as set out in paragraph 3, to reprocure the Health and Wellbeing Service, be approved, and (b) that once delivery is assured, a mechanism be put in place to formally review the service, to explore alternative delivery models and recommend future arrangements.