Anglia Ruskin University

"The foundations of a healthy and fulfilled adult life are laid in childhood and adolescence" (DH 2009). Neuroscientific and genetic advances have enhanced our understanding of physiological and psychological childhood development and how this can be both promoted and damaged. It is imperative that the children's public health work-force is adequately equipped with the knowledge, skills and understanding to deliver the Healthy Child Programme.

This module focuses on the universal components of the progressively universal framework for practice delivered to infants, children, young people and their families, beginning in early pregnancy, right through into early adulthood, as described in the Healthy Child Programme (DH 2004). This module will focus on the skills necessary to enable students to deliver the Healthy Child programme and effectively work within a skill mix team.

In order to ensure that practitioners are prepared effectively to work within the challenging and dynamic arena of children's public health, this module will explore the skills that are integral to working with children, young people and their families, and communities. This will include analysis and understanding of the dynamic nature of service delivery, and the related issues of access to, and availability of, services.

Further, there will be an exploration of the fundamental principles of health education and health promotion, and recognition of the need for early intervention and prevention, as well as addressing actual and potential needs. You will also explore the Healthy Child Programme, including screening and holistic needs assessment, so that they have a practical understanding of how the Healthy Child Programme is delivered and evaluated locally.

Entry Requirements

Other restrictions: This module can be done concurrently with the "Universal Work with Children and Families (Theory)" module. If this module is undertaken separately, successful completion of Universal Work with Children and Families (Theory) Level 3 module is a pre-requisite.

Content outline

• Child Public Health Practice
• Communicating with children, young people and their families
• Working within a multi-disciplinary/ multi-agency framework
• Health Education and Health Promotion
• Healthy Child Programme
• National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP)
• Immunisations and Vaccinations
• Sexual health and contraceptive advice
• Packages of care for children and their families
• Normal emotional, behavioural, physical and social development from 0-19
• Developing support networks
• Cultural issues
• Identification of additional needs and the Common Assessment Framework (CAF)
• Deviations from normal development and the practitioner's response
• Assessment of risk and protective factors
• Recognising child abuse and its impact on growth and development
• Service accessibility, barriers, signposting and delivery
• Referral pathways to specialist services
• Personal and professional development within a children's public health workforce context
• PSHE
• Young Peoples Public Health Issues (Substance Misuse, Eating Disorders, Self Harm etc.)
• Transition

Assessment

The summative assessment for this module will comprise a Practice Portfolio incorporating practice competencies to equal 3,000 words.

Teaching days and times are for guidance only and are subject to change.

For more information please contact:

Yvonne Crome
Tel: 0845 196 4824
Email: yvonne.crome@anglia.ac.uk