Family Nursing and Home Care
Family Nursing and Home Care (FNHC) is a Jersey charity who provide nursing and home care in the community from birth to end of life.
They have a team of health visitors, school and children’s nurses, district and specialist nurses as well as home care assistants. They work closely with the States of Jersey to provide care for all families in Jersey.
Health visiting team
Health visitors
Health visitors are qualified nurses or midwives with specialist training in public health for children, young people and families. They provide advice and support you and your family during pregnancy up to the age of 5.
Standard health visiting includes:
- antenatal visit
- post birth visit by 14 days
- 6 to 8 weeks check
- 4 months – introducing solids
- 12 month developmental assessment
- 2 year developmental assessment
Find out more about
what health visitors do on the NHS website.
Community nursery nurses
Community nursery nurses have taken CACHE level 2 or equivalent courses in child development. They support children with nursing and health care needs and their families.
Community nursery nurses are part of the health visiting team and the services they provide include:
CACHE website
Health visitor pathway
There are different teams assigned for different parishes, therefore the health visitor you are assigned will depend on where you live. If you're not sure which team you are assigned to you can check the letter you received from FNHC to set up your first visit or contact FNHC.
Your assigned health visitor supports you and your child up until the age 5.
Your first health visitor appointment
When you reach 28 weeks in your pregnancy a health visitor will call you or write to you to offer an antenatal visit at your home. Everyone is offered an antenatal visit with a health visitor and it is a chance to establish a relationship with your health visitor.
After your baby is born
Family Nursing and Homecare (FNHC) work closely with the hospital and will be notified when you are pregnant. When your baby is born your record will be updated automatically and FNHC will be notified.
Your health visitor will visit you at home soon after your baby is born. They will contact you first to make the appointment. This visit is to offer advice, support and put you in contact with any local services and community support you may need. It is also for you to ask any questions or concerns you may have about caring for yourself and your baby.
A follow up visit will be offered when your baby is between six to eight weeks.
If necessary, your health visitor may offer further visits as part of an enhanced programme. Health visitors work in partnership with parents and their children as a focus. Together you plan a programme around you and your family’s goals. Your health visitor will discuss this with you during one of our visits.
If your baby is in hospital
If your baby is in SCBU or in hospital receiving special care, there is a liaison health visitor who will visit you in hospital. They will make sure you and your child are getting the right support depending on your needs.
Moving to Jersey
If you're moving to Jersey from the UK with a child under 5 years old you can contact FNHC to let them know when you’re arriving. You will receive a letter to set up your fist visit.
If you are moving to Jersey from another country other than the UK you can contact FNHC to get support for you and your family.
The health visitor team also run lots of groups for families new to Jersey with children under 5 years old. Your health visitor will be able to refer you to the group.
Child health clinics
The clinics are to support you and your child and make sure their development is on track. They are at various locations and times on the Island. You can attend a clinic from when your baby is born up until 5 years old.
Find out more about
child health clinics
Health visiting services and groups
FNHC provide different services and assessments up until the age of 5, including:
- child health clinics (weigh in clinics)
- introduction to solid foods
- development checks and assessments
- home visits
- breastfeeding support group
- baby massage
- play groups
To find out more about services and groups, ask your Health Visitor or contact FNHC.
MECSH programme
Maternal Early Childhood Sustained Home-Visiting (MECSH) is a programme of home visiting led by Health Visitors and covers a wide range of health and social issues for children and families.
The programme focuses on your specific needs and supports:
families find solutions to their individual problems
family and child health and wellbeing
parents to be future orientated and aspirational
family and social relationships
child development parent education
The MECSH programme covers from antenatal until the age of 2.
Around 150 families in Jersey are using the service at any one time. The programme is delivered by all FNHC health visitors.
If you think you and your family would benefit from the MECSH programme, see the
FNHC website.
Complaints and compliments
If you have feedback or a complaint you need to contact FNHC directly and speak to the Quality and Governance Lead. You can
email FNHC with your complaint or call +44 (0)1534 443600.
gov.je