Newham teenage mums to receive intensive parenting support

First time teenage mothers across Newham will be receiving on-going, intensive support from a team of family nurses.

The Family Nurse Partnership, a voluntary home visiting programme for first time new mums aged 19 or under, starts in Newham this week. It will offer on-going, intensive support to young, first-time mothers and their babies.

A specially trained family nurse will visit the young mum regularly, at home, from early in pregnancy until the child is two. It will also involve partners, fathers and other family members if mums want them to be involved.

Zoe Vowles, Lead Nurse for the service, said: “Around five per cent of families in this country have poor life chances. These are the families who require more targeted support and help than even the best mainstream services can provide. Our team will be able to work with the parents to offer them practical advice and guidance, psychological support to help them develop their confidence and skills to go forward as a family. We are looking forward to working with young families in Newham and supporting them to be the best parents they can be.”

The Newham Family Nurse Partnership team will include four Family Nurses, a Family Nurse supervisor and an Administrator, who are based at Custom House. Each Family Nurse will provide intensive support to 25 families, with 100 families being enrolled in the programme over the first year.

Family Nurses use structured visits to enable young mums to achieve three main aims: have a healthy pregnancy; improve their child’s health and development by developing their parenting knowledge and skills; plan their own futures and achieve their aspirations (such as returning to education or employment).

For more information contact Zoe Vowles, Family Nurse Supervisor on 020 7059 6710 or zoe.vowles@eastlondon.nhs.uk or go to www.fnp.nhs.uk