Family Nurse Partnership

The Family Nurse Partnership (FNP) is a preventative programme offered to first-time mothers aged 24 and under if you are eligible under our extended eligibility criteria 20-24. We also offer the programme for 19 years and under as an offer to any first time mother under 19 years and less than 28 weeks pregnant. HCRG Care Group provides this programme to mothers, their partners and families who reside in Bath and North East Somerset.

This programme is voluntary and offers a personalised , flexible client centred approach. The programme can be flexed to meet the mother’s needs, the number of visits “dialled up” or “dialled down”. Mothers can be graduated from the programme any time after their child’s first birthday up to the child’s second birthday. The visits can take place in the mother’s home or in a community setting wherever the mother feels most comfortable .

More information about FNP

Some feedback from mothers: “I am a better parent from all the knowledge my family nurse has given me… I am more confident… I have made better choices with the family nurse’s guidance.”

Another client said: ”I have been concerned about my health, I ask and always get good advice. I was asked how I’m feeling in myself at every session which is good I think.”

Click here to take a look at Inspiring stories from teenage mums helped by the Family Nurse Partnership Programme.

This service is offered to young women who live in the Bath and North East Somerset area, who are expecting their first baby and are under 28 weeks pregnant at the time of enrolment.

Helpful information

About our team

Family nurses are specially trained to help you as a young parent to understand all about your baby and how to care well for yourself and make smart choices.

The Family Nurse Partnership team includes three family nurses, one supervisor and a quality support officer. We offer the Family Nurse Partnership programme as a universal service to first-time parents under 19 years and have recently extended our offer to include 20-24 year olds who meet specific criteria.

We aim to engage with our clients before they are 28 weeks pregnant and ideally wish to start work with clients before they are 16 weeks pregnant. The programme includes the healthy child programme and offers support to parents until their child is 2 years old. The FNP goals are:

To improve the outcomes of pregnancy by helping women to improve their prenatal health
Improve children’s subsequent health and development by enabling parents to provide more competent care for their children
To improve women’s life course by planning subsequent pregnancies, finishing their education and finding employment.

FNP provide information and support for young parents to make choices that:

Increase your chances of a healthy pregnancy
Help to manage your labour
Improve your child’s health and development
Build a positive relationship with your baby and others
Help you to plan for the future
Enable you to make lifestyle choices that give your child the best possible start in life
Enable you to achieve your aspirations (such as finding a job or returning to education)

Your Family Nurse will visit regularly, from early pregnancy to when your child is up to 2 years old. Visits are made at home and take approximately an hour. We have recently introduced ‘Personalisation’ which means we will tailor the visiting schedule and content of the programme to meet your individual needs following assessment using a New Mum Star.

How do I access this service?

Are you age 24 or under and pregnant with your first baby? If so, you may be entitled to FNP so please speak to your midwife or GP if you are interested in finding out more.