NICE advice focuses on emotional and social well-being of under-fives
Catherine Gaunt
Friday, October 26, 2012
Early years practitioners should be 'systematic and persistent' in encouraging vulnerable parents to use early years services, new NHS guidance on the social and emotional well-being of under-fives states.
The guidelines by the National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) make a series of recommendations covering home visits and early education, and childcare for vulnerable children. It includes advice on how to identify vulnerable children and what action services and settings should take.
It says that local authority children's services should ensure that all vulnerable children can access high-quality childcare either part-time or full-time and that they can access their free entitlement.
It also suggests that nurseries and children's centres should conduct targeted publicity campaigns, make contact through key workers, encourage other parents to help get families involved, and that family support workers should carry out home visits to encourage attendance.
The guidance also says that managers and providers of early education and childcare should provide a structured daily schedule with a balance of adult-led and child-initiated activities, and ensure parents and other family members are involved.
Advice for health visitors and midwives include the use of evidence-based interventions, such as baby massage.
Professor Mike Kelly, NICE director of public health, said, 'We know that there are a complex range of factors that impact upon the social and emotional development of children. While most parents offer love and stability to their children, regardless of their personal circumstances, in some cases, children living in challenging environments can experience emotional and behavioural problems.'
Graham Allen MP, chair of the Early Intervention Foundation, said, 'Those of us who believe that every baby, child and young person should have the social and emotional bedrock that is the foundation of achievement will warmly welcome the third milestone guidance issued by NICE. It is the basis on which Early Intervention practice can be squarely based.'
- Download 'Social and emotional well-being: early years' at http://guidance.nice.org.uk/PH40.
