Working with Health Visitors: A Guide for Social Workers

The Health Visiting Role

Health visitors are specialist community public health nurses who work with families from pregnancy until children reach school age. They deliver the Healthy Child Programme and have universal access to families with young children.

This universal contact makes health visitors invaluable partners for social workers—they often know families well before any concerns arise and can provide crucial context for assessments.

Why This Partnership Matters

Unique Access

• Contact with all families with children under 5
• Home visits as standard practice
• Trusted relationship with many parents
• Regular developmental checks
• Access to maternal mental health assessments

Valuable Information

• Child development and growth patterns
• Parent-child attachment observations
• Home environment assessments
• Maternal mental health
• Engagement patterns with services

When to Involve Health Visitors

Pre-Birth Assessments

• Gather information about pregnancy and antenatal care
• Coordinate post-birth visiting plans
• Share information about risks and protective factors
• Plan for baby's health surveillance

Child Protection Enquiries

• Request information on developmental history
• Ask about engagement with health services
• Gather observations from home visits
• Understand parental capacity from their perspective

Children in Need

• Coordinate support for vulnerable families
• Share information at TAC/TAF meetings
• Monitor child's health and development
• Provide early intervention support

Information Sharing

What You Can Share

Under Working Together 2023 and information sharing guidance:

• Safeguarding concerns without consent when necessary
• Information for child protection enquiries
• Relevant background for assessments
• Plans and decisions affecting the family

What to Request

• Developmental assessments and concerns
• Attendance at appointments
• Observations of home environment
• Parental mental health concerns
• Historical involvement with family

Joint Working Arrangements

Strategy Discussions

Health visitors should be included in strategy discussions where:

• The child is under 5
• They have significant involvement with the family
• Health information is relevant to the concerns

Child Protection Conferences

• Invite health visitors to conferences
• Request written reports if unable to attend
• Include their observations in your report
• Ensure health actions are in the plan

Core Groups

Health visitors are key core group members for families with young children. They can:

• Monitor developmental progress
• Report on home conditions
• Observe parent-child interactions
• Deliver specific interventions

Practical Tips

Building the Relationship

• Learn who the health visitor is for your families
• Share information promptly
• Respond to their concerns seriously
• Include them in planning from the start
• Acknowledge their expertise in child development

Effective Communication

• Be clear about what information you need
• Explain your concerns and why you're asking
• Provide feedback on outcomes
• Keep them updated on plans

Common Challenges

Capacity Issues

Health visitors often have large caseloads. Support effective working by:

• Being specific about what you need
• Giving reasonable timescales for reports
• Offering to share your assessments
• Minimising unnecessary meetings

Different Thresholds

Sometimes health visitors raise concerns that don't meet social care thresholds:

• Explain your decision clearly
• Offer early help alternatives
• Encourage re-referral if concerns increase
• Document the discussion

Conclusion

Health visitors are essential partners in safeguarding young children. Their universal access and developmental expertise complement social work assessment. Invest time in building these relationships—the information they hold and their ongoing contact with families makes them invaluable allies in protecting children.