Co-ordinating community child health services

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Social Services Administration
• Child Welfare

Background:

• The Audit Commission published 'Seen but not heard' in June 1994, reviewing community child health and social services.
• The report aims to inform and guide the strengthening of these essential services.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide an overview and critical analysis of the Audit Commission's report on community child health and social services.
• To evaluate the report's findings and recommendations from the perspective of health visitors and school nurses.

Main Methods:

• Review and analysis of the Audit Commission's 'Seen but not heard' report.
• Assessment of the report's material relevant to health visitors and school nurses.

Main Results:

• The report contains useful information supporting the enhancement of community child health and social services.
• The Health Visitors Association (HVA) identifies specific areas where the report's conclusions are considered mistaken.

Conclusions:

• The report provides a foundation for service improvement discussions.
• Further evaluation is needed in specific areas where the HVA disputes the Audit Commission's conclusions on child health and social services.