A public consultation, running from 8 July to 18 September 2026, covers proposed changes to the Family Nurse Partnership, Young Parent's Pathway, School Nursing and Health Visiting services.
Demand for support has increased significantly in recent years. While Suffolk County Council has continued to invest in the Healthy Child Programme, available funding has not kept pace with rising demand and costs. As a result, the current service model is no longer sustainable.
At the same time, the service has increasingly been responding to complex and ongoing needs that are often better supported by other services. This has reduced its ability to focus on what it was originally designed to do – providing early help to children and families and preventing problems from getting worse.
The council is therefore proposing to refocus the service on its core role, making sure support is available where it can make the biggest difference and that children and families get the right support from the right service at the right time. Support will continue, but some services may be delivered in different ways.
Under the proposals:
- The Family Nurse Partnership and Young Parent's Pathway would no longer run as standalone programmes, with support for young parents instead provided through health visiting, early help services and wider support networks.
- School Nursing would move from an open-access model to a more targeted service, focusing on those with the greatest need
- The Health Visiting service would be strengthened, with more support led by Health Visitors and greater continuity of care for families.
These changes would be supported by wider improvements to services for children and families in Suffolk, including stronger early help, better SEND support and more mental health support in schools. While this would not replace everything that may change, alternative support is being put in place so families can continue to get the help they need.
Cllr Paul Sutton, Suffolk County Council’s deputy cabinet member for public health, said:
“These services have ended up doing more than they were originally set up to do. At the same time, funding pressures mean we simply can’t carry on as we are. It’s time to go back to basics.
“We need to make the best use of the resources we have. That means helping children and families earlier, and making sure support is there for those who need it most.
“We know these proposals will matter to a lot of people, so we want to hear from the families who use these services, the staff who deliver them and our partners. Their feedback will help shape our decision.”
The consultation closes on 18 September 2026, with all feedback considered before a final decision is made later this year.
The consultation can be completed online at https://www.suffolk.gov.uk/council-and-democracy/consultations-petitions-and-elections/consultations/healthy-child-services-consultations
Printed copies and accessible formats are available on request.
