Nursery World - All about the role of ... Community nursery nurse

Community nursery nurses (CNNs) provide a vital role within the child health team/primary healthcare team and use their specific expertise to provide packages of care for families previously assessed by the health visitor.

These may be families with new babies and young children, families with mental health problems, addiction or disability issues and vulnerable children. The CNN gives support and non-medical advice to these groups in a number of venues, including GPs' surgeries, clinics, children's community centres and clients' homes.

As part of the Healthy Child Programme, delivered by the Child Health Team, the CNN carries out developmental assessments of babies and young children and may participate in hearing-screenings of newborns.

Advice and support on breastfeeding, child development, behaviour management, nutrition, play, parenting and the importance of social integration are offered to parents and carers.

All new parents may also have access to a post-natal group run by a CNN as delegated by the health visitor. Where necessary, parents and carers are signposted by the CNN to relevant agencies for support and advice.

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