The new, updated Child Health Promotion Programme (CHPP): Pregnancy and the first five years of life, published 17 March 2008, builds on the Children's National Service Framework published in 2004. The programme seeks to provide preventative services tailored to the individual needs of children and families as well as acting as a best practice guide for children's services.
The programme aims to:
- provide greater emphasis on promoting the health and well-being of children in the early stages – pregnancy and the first five years of life
- support a model of progressive universalism – a core programme for all children, with additional services for children and families with particular needs and risks
- encourage partnership working between different agencies on local service development, e.g. general practice and children's centres
- focus services on changing public health priorities - obesity, breast feeding, social and emotional development
The CHPP is a valuable tool for supporting commissioners to meet obligations on breastfeeding, obesity prevention, infant mortality and the 12-week antenatal assessment. This high-quality programme will help meet these vital requirements, but also help to improve general health and well-being among children and families in the community.
