About the 0-19 Public Health Nursing Service

We are a team of Specialist Community Public Health Nurses; however, most people will know us as Health Visitors or School Nurses. Our team also consists of Family Health Workers and together, we provide support for children, young people and families in a variety of community settings including families’ homes.

Health Visitors and School Nurses are Nurses and/or Midwives who have completed an additional year’s training at University to become Specialist Community Public Health Nurses. We support the health and development needs of children and young people, delivering the Healthy Child Programme ensuring every child has the best start in life.

Alongside families we work with schools, early years settings, and other professionals to promote health, support emotional well-being, and to empower families from pregnancy to 19 years of age. To find out more about us visit our website.

The Public Health Nursing Service in Plymouth is underpinned by the iThrive framework. iThrive is based upon identifying needs early, being responsive to families and providing help and support where needed.

Families are encouraged to be actively involved and make decisions about the care and support they need.

What do we offer?

The health visiting service offer including:

  • Universal service within Plymouth

  • Five mandated contacts.

  • Child Health Clinics.

  • Chat Health text service.

  • Duty health visitor.

School Nursing service offer including:

  • Support for children enrolled in school or home educated aged 5-19-years.

  • Hearing test.

  • National Child Measurement Programme.

  • Health Needs Assessments.

  • Bladder and Bowel assessments.

  • First Line Advice.

  • Midazolam training for schools.

Support provided by Family Health Workers, Nursing Associates, Infant Feeding team, and Assistant Practitioners:

  • Behaviour management.

  • Toilet training.

  • Sleep management.
  • Developmental needs.

  • Infant and child feeding support.

Additional Needs Pathway

This pathway has been developed to provide a robust offer to parents/carers and children within the Public Health Nursing service who require additional support.  It has been underpinned by the iThrive model and the principles of the graduated response.

Graduated Response

  • We identify a lead practitioner.

  • Work in partnership.

  • ‘Getting Help’: A family health worker can offer up to 6-targeted support visits.

  • Children who are identified as requiring additional support may be offered:

    • Growth reviews.
    • Developmental reviews.
    • Requests for help to specialist services.
    • Requests and support via the SEND pathway.

  • Resources/information: your health visitor or school nurse can provide helpful resources and information.

  • Review: reviews will take place if required. This may include an integrated review with the nursery or pre-school.

  • Communication: we will communicate with families and professionals each step of the way.

How to access PHN support:

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  • Public Health Nursing telephone: 01752 434008 or email livewell.phnadminhub@nhs.net. You can speak with a duty health visitor or school nurse Monday – Friday 9am to 5pm.

  • Complete a request for help form on our website School Nursing | Livewell Southwest

  • Alternatively, parents and carers can text the Chat Health Service:

    Livewell ChatHealth 0-5 years Parents Service – 07480 635188
    Livewell ChatHealth 5-10 years Parents Service – 07480 635189
    Livewell ChatHealth 11-19 years Young Peoples Service – 07480 635198