SSAFA Sennelager, Naples, Shape and Brussels (GSO)

SSAFA provides a health visiting service which is available to the military and entitled population in Shape, Brussels, Naples and Sennelager, as part of the Global Support Organisation (GSO).

Health Visitors – delivering the Healthy Child Programme

The role of a Health Visitor
Where can we help?
How can we help?
CONI (Care Of Next Infant)
How you can access the service
Useful apps and websites

 

The role of a Health Visitor

Health Visitors are registered Nurses or Midwives who have undertaken additional training to become Specialist Community Public Health Nurses. They work with families to give babies and pre-school children the best start in life, as we know that the first years of life are a foundation for future health and wellbeing.

We work closely with other members of the Community Health Team, education partners, the Primary Health Care Team and Host Nation Providers to make sure that all parents and children can access the most appropriate services for their health and wellbeing.

 

Where can we help?

Health Visitors see people at home, in the Medical Centre, in Early Years settings, in Family Hubs at Well Baby Clinics and virtually using Microsoft teams and attend anywhere.

 

How can we help?

  • Transition to parenthood
  • Babies and children's growth and development including speech, language and communication and readiness for school
  • Supporting babies and children with additional needs
  • Managing minor illnesses
  • Advice on conditions, allergies and infections
  • Immunisation advice and guidance.
  • Infant feeding and maintaining a healthy weight
  • Postnatal depression and mum's and dad's mental and physical health
  • Attachment and bonding with your child or baby.
  • Adverse Childhood experiences -trauma informed practice.
  • Safeguarding and early interventions (Early help)
  • Parenting courses group and face to face
  • Behaviour issues - e.g. sleeping, fussy eating, potty training, tantrums
  • Family planning
  • Family health and relationships (reducing parental conflict and domestic abuse)
  • Teething and good dental health
  • Bladder and bowel issues.
  • Health promotion /education to keep you and your family well and living longer.
  • Community health
  • Building community capacity
  • Children’s emotional health and wellbeing

Is your child starting school?

Starting school is such an exciting moment in our children’s lives and we want to support you and your
family to help ensure your child has the best possible start to this new and exciting chapter.

Before your child starts school it is important to ensure they have/are:

  1. seen the dentist
  2. had a vision check through local opticians
  3. toilet trained. For support with this please contact your SSAFA Healthy Visitor.

If you have any concerns over your child's eating habits, height/weight or development, please speak to your
local GP, Paediatrician or SSAFA Health Visitor.

For some top tips for school readiness, check out our leaflet below:

 

CONI (Care Of Next Infant)

The CONI programme is designed for parents who are expecting or have given birth to a baby following the sudden unexpected death of a previous baby. It is normal for parents who have experienced a sudden and unexpected death of a baby to feel anxious when they have another baby.

The CONI programme is usually offered for 6 months after a baby has born but may be longer depending on the individual circumstances. Within the programme there are a range of tools which offer an individual and flexible programme of support to families during, what maybe a very stressful time.

Within each Military Overseas Command, where SSAFA provide Community Health Services, there will be a local CONI champion/coordinator, normally a midwife or a health visitor, but any member of the Community Health Team would be able to help you to access this service.

If you think you need the CONI programme, you can find out more information here - or speak to your Health Visitor.

 

How you can access the service if you are in Shape/Brussels/Naples/Sennelager

Health Visitors will contact all families, with children under 5 years, at the following times

  • After you arrive in Shape Brussels Naples or Sennelager please register at the Medical Centre they will book you a transfer in appointment with the health visitor within 28 days.
  • Antenatal contact Between 28-34 weeks of pregnancy
  • With a new baby between 10-14 days
  • When your baby is between 6-8 weeks old
  • When your baby is 3-6mth of age
  • When your baby is between 10-12 months of age
  • When your child is between 2 and 2 1/2 years of age

 

How do we work?

Health Visitors working with families in GSO and Sennelager follow UK guidance and best practice which is detailed in the Healthy Child Programme and where possible will offer the service that you would normally expect to get in England.

We offer a Universal Service, which means that we offer our service as outlined below to all families who have children across our locations.

 

5-19 aged children

For all areas in GSO and Sennelager the Health Visitor can support and advice on issues relating to:

  • Parenting courses
  • Behaviour challenges
  • Emotional health and wellbeing
  • Sleep
  • Toileting
  • Additional need assessments

Please do get in touch for an individual appointment face to face or virtually.

 

Useful apps and websites

For new and expectant mums and dads - Baby Buddy 2.0 | Join Us (babybuddyapp.co.uk)

For support around managing self-harming behaviours - Home - Calm Harm App

For support with a crying baby - Support For Crying And Sleepless Babies | Home | Cry-sis

Emotional health support for 11-19 year olds - Home - Kooth

Breastfeeding support Breastfeeding | Feeding Your Baby | Start for Life (www.nhs.uk)