Nice guidance published on social and emotional wellbeing
Guidance from the National Institute for Health and Clinical; Excellence has stated that the social and emotional wellbeing of vulnerable children under five years old should be at the heart of early intervention programmes to ensure they get the best start in life.
‘The social and emotional wellbeing for children and young people’ guidance recommends that health professionals are alert to any factors that may pose a risk to a child’s social and emotional wellbeing.
Children from disadvantaged backgrounds are more likely to experience social, emotional and behavioural difficulties and as a result poor health, education and employment outcomes.
Nice adds that health professionals in antenatal and postnatal services should look out for factors that may be a risk to a child’s social and emotional wellbeing and should discuss with the parents any problems they may have in relation to mental health problems, drug or alcohol misuse or family relationships.
Parents assessed to be in need of additional support should be offered a series of home visits by a trained nurse.
Local authorities should also ensure vulnerable children can benefit from high quality childcare outside the home and can take up their entitlement to early childhood education where appropriate.
Professor Mike Kelly, NICE Director of Public Health, said: “We know that there are a complex range of factors that impact upon the social and emotional development of children. While most parents offer love and stability to their children, regardless of their personal circumstances, in some cases, children living in challenging environments can experience emotional and behavioural problems.
“These can have a life-long, negative effect on their future health and wellbeing. NICE is pleased to publish this guidance which will help all those involved in delivering excellent services to the children and their parents who need them most.”
Nice guidance is available here.
For more information on emotional wellbeing visit our website.
