Councillors have agreed to extend the Healthy Child Programme (HCP) partnership for two years to provide the best start in life for Cambridgeshire residents and reduce inequality.
In October 2024 councillors approved a new partnering agreement with Cambridgeshire Community Services (CCS) NHS Trust for the delivery of an integrated HCP.
Today (Tuesday, 21 April), members of the council’s Children and Young People Committee, heard how the programme has performed to date, and agreed to extend it by a further two years, from 2027-29.
The HCP, funded via the Public Health grant, is a national public health programme which aims to achieve good outcomes for all children from pregnancy through to 19 years of age. It includes both Health Visiting (aged 0-5 years) and School Nursing (aged 5-19 years) services.
Identifying developmental needs as early as possible allows for more timely interventions, working across early years services, that aim to improve children’s school readiness. Councillors heard that since the HCP partnering agreement began in April 2025, health visiting performance has steadily improved and in many categories Cambridgeshire is now above regional and national benchmarks
The percentage of Cambridgeshire children achieving a Good Level of Development (GLD) at the end of the reception year at school, has also seen recent improvements, particularly for children with free school meal status.
Over the last year the School Nursing aspect of the HCP has seen new oral health sessions delivered in primary schools, the development of parent/carer webinars to support primary to secondary transition and the creation of new resources for SEND young people.
Councillors also heard an update on the Family Nurse Partnership (FNP), a dedicated programme to support vulnerable young parents, which is delivered as part of the HCP. The FNP has seen positive outcomes encouraging breastfeeding and reducing levels of smoking and subsequent teen pregnancies.
Cllr Edna Murphy, chair of the Children and Young People Committee at Cambridgeshire County Council, said: “I am delighted that the committee has [unanimously] agreed to extend the Healthy Child Programme. This nationally funded programme makes a big difference across our county but especially in the lives of some of our most vulnerable residents.
“We’re committed to giving children and young people the best possible start in life, so it’s been brilliant to hear today how this programme is already improving health outcomes and reducing inequalities for Cambridgeshire families.”
The extended Healthy Child Programme partnering agreement will be made with the new East of England Community Health and Care NHS Trust, following the merger of the previous provider, CCS NHS Trust, with Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust.
The reports discussed by the committee can be found on our website and you can rewatch a recording of the meeting on our YouTube channel.
