The most deprived young mothers to get intensive help from specialist nurses

- Scheme aims to help prevent child abuse and crime and lead to healthier lifestyles
mother & baby Getty 104821551
Getty
4 April 2013

Thousands of the most deprived young mothers are to be given help by specialist nurses to bring up their babies, it was announced today.

Up to 16,000 teenage parents will be given intensive support in childcare, healthy living, family planning and relationships, said health minister Dr Dan Poulter.

The scheme, known as the Family Nurse Partnership, sees specialist nurses mentoring young mothers under the age of 20 during their pregnancy and until their child is two.

The nurses help the new mothers, and fathers, to prepare for labour; offer advice on looking after babies and toddlers, and help plan for the future.

Dr Poulter today announced that ministers plan to extend a current pilot programme - which has helped 11,000 families - to include 16,000 families by 2015.

The Government hopes the £17.5 million project, which will double the number of specialist nurses to almost 1,000, will help prevent child abuse and domestic violence and reduce the chances of the children growing up into disturbed adults.

Initial research in England found mothers in the scheme stopped smoking during pregnancy, were more likely to breastfeed and had improved self-esteem. They were also more likely to return to education or employment once the children were old enough.

The FPN started in the US where it has had a dramatic impact on reducing crime and abuse.

Dr Poulter said that he hopes the move will help more vulnerable children get a better start in life.

"Every child should have the opportunity to lead a healthy and fulfilling life," he said.

"Family nurse partnerships play a major role in supporting children in some of the most disadvantaged circumstances to have the very best start in life.

"Around 11,000 families are already benefiting from personalised support from family nurses, but I am determined that we should go further, and that is why we will expand the programme to support 16,000 families by 2015."

Belinda Phipps, chief executive of the parent charity NCT, added: "Parents have different needs and it is easy for problems and worries to be missed.

"Having a specially-trained family nurse will give vulnerable families the support they need during the first 1,000 days, giving children the best possible start in life."

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