A Unique Child: Inclusion: A guiding hand

The prospects of vulnerable babies, young children and their families are being improved by the Family Nurse Partnership (FNP) programme. The programme provides intensive home visits for young first-time parents, working with them from early pregnancy until the child's second birthday. Family nurses are paired with the mothers, known as 'clients', with the aim of building a close, supportive relationship and helping them to adopt a healthier lifestyle for themselves and their babies. They are also encouraged to provide good care for their child and set 'life goals' (see case study).

FNP was brought over from the US, where it is known as the Nurse-Family Partnership Program. It has been jointly piloted by the Department of Health and Department for Children, Schools and Families in ten areas in the UK since April 2007. A further 20 sites were announced last year. The licensed programme was developed by Professor David Olds at the University of Colorado over a period of 30 years. He recognises that the problems of poverty, violence, failure in school and crime are best confronted early in a child's life.