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Pregnancy and early life support

Pregnancy and early life support

Help for expecting and new parents.

Parent and carer support

Throughout Northumberland there are many Family Hubs.

They ensure that all children get the best possible start in life. At the hubs, families with children under five can access support and information about:

Advice and guidance

It is the aim of Northumberland County Council that all children grow up in safe, healthy environments with secure relationships which are positive.

We use the framework behind the Healthy Child Programme to support this aim. 

 The Start 4 Life website has useful information such as:

  • tips and advice for mums-to-be on having a healthy pregnancy
  • feeding and activity tips to get your baby off to the best start
  • tips and ideas for dads-to-be to help their partners
  • easy tips and ideas for friends and family members for helping mums-to-be

Help to buy milk and healthy food

Healthy Start is a government scheme designed to help pregnant women and children under four, in low-income families, eat healthily. Weekly vouchers to spend on milk, fruit, vegetables or infant formula are provided. It also gives useful information on healthy eating and general health.

Growing healthy in Northumberland

Our Growing Healthy Northumberland (GHN) 0-19 offer includes Health Visiting (0-5) and Public Health (5-19) services for families who live or attend school in Northumberland. 

This offer is extended to young people between 19-25 with a Special Educational Need or Disability. 

The GHN teams also support Infant Feeding (including breastfeeding support), emotional health and resilience, and tier 1 continence whilst adopting safeguarding principles for the whole family. 

Your Local Authority works in partnership with the GHN Team and provides integrated offers alongside Early Years and Education and Early Help and Childrens Social Care teams. 

Many of the staff can be located within Northumberland Family Hubs where parent specific sessions are co-delivered.

Read our vision for children, young people, and families in our Healthy Families Plan (PDF).