REDCAR & Cleveland Borough Council’s health visitors are celebrating after receiving praise from UNICEF UK assessors.
The inspectors have re-accredited the authority for UNICEF UK’s Baby Friendly Initiative following an inspection in November 2016.
The programme has been developed for maternity, neonatal, health visiting and children’s centre services across the country. This is to implement standards to improve the care and support received by pregnant women, new mothers and their families to build a strong relationship with their baby.
During the council’s inspection, UNICEF assessors interviewed 22 health visitor service staff, 28 mothers and randomly selected four children’s centre facilities for inspection.
The assessors commended the council’s health visiting team for its hard work in continuing to support mothers. The service has now received its re-accreditation, along with a plaque that praises the service for its “excellence in the support of breastfeeding and parent/infant relationships”.
Councillor Craig Hannaway, cabinet member for children at Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council, said: “This is fantastic news for families in Redcar and Cleveland and I particularly want to give thanks to the Health Visitors at the council for their dedication and hard work.
“The mothers who were interviewed as part of the assessment commented on how much they appreciated the sensitive and non-judgemental approach adopted by all of our members of staff, who were welcoming, friendly and always able to make time to answer any queries. I am delighted they have received this recognition.”