Council support service hits gold standard for a sixth time
Council’s family support service retains mark of quality
The Nottinghamshire Early Help and Family Hubs service has retained its Gold Standard UNICEF Baby Friendly Initiative (BFI) award for the sixth time.
It mens families across Nottinghamshire can continue to be assured that the best support is available for them and their babies throughout their infant feeding journey.
The scheme also looks at how families are supported with bonding and attachment, recognising baby cues to ensure responsive feeding and appropriate support for parents/carers with emotional wellbeing.
Councillor Rory Green, Nottinghamshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Children and Families, said it was an achievement to be proud of.
“I’m incredibly proud of the professional, compassionate care our staff and trained volunteers provide to families throughout their infant feeding journey,” he said. “Retaining this Gold Standard for a sixth time is a fantastic achievement and shows their ongoing dedication.
The Early Help and Family Hubs service joins the Healthy Family team, provided by Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and commissioned by Nottinghamshire County Council, in continuing to be at BFI Gold Standard.
Nottinghamshire remains one of the few counties in the UK where both parts of the community support for breastfeeding reach this internationally recognised standard, with all the hospital trusts across the county also working towards this prestigious programme.
Louise Lester, the county council’s Consultant in Public Health and Communities, with responsibility for Best Start for Life, is the Baby Friendly infant feeding guardian, said: “This award demonstrates the ongoing strength of the infant feeding support available to families across Nottinghamshire.
“By working together, we’re ensuring parents receive consistent high- quality, evidence-based support to help them make informed feeding choices and feel confident in the decisions they make for their families, supporting the nutrition of their babies and positive parent and child relationships.”
Information on your nearest family hub is available at: https://www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/care/family-hub-networks/find-your-nearest-family-hub-team