Parents and carers asked to share their experiences of health visiting and children's centre services

Parents and carers are being asked for their views to ensure health services and children centre services in Wiltshire continue to meet the needs of families into the future.

Wiltshire Council is asking parents of 0 - 5 year old children to complete a survey asking questions about what works well, what needs improving and how they would like to be contacted and supported by these services.

Currently, Virgin Care provide health visiting services and The Rise Trust and Spurgeon's provide children's centre services with contracts that both end at the same time in 2023. Wiltshire Council wants to hear from people who use these services as it plans further ahead.

The survey questions include what people understand about the role of the health visitor and any changes they would like. Parents and carers are asked how they would like to access or use the local health visiting and children's centre services in the future including appointments at local venues, drop in sessions, phone calls, text, video call or via other digital platforms including WhatsApp, Facebook or a parenting website.

Kate Blackburn, Director of Public Health at Wiltshire Council said: "We would welcome views from all our families who have young children. We know families are changing the way they want support provided and we want to hear from them so we can ensure our services continue to meet the needs of our families into the future.

Lucy Townsend, Corporate Director for People at Wiltshire Council explained: "Families with young children have busy lives doing everything they can to ensure their child is given the best start in life. Our health visitors and children's centre services play a crucial role in supporting families as they navigate through the key early years. This survey is an important tool in ensuring we're working together with families to ensure they can access the best support."