Question reference: S4W-30388
- Asked by: Mary Scanlon, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
- Date lodged: 7 March 2016
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Current status: Answered by Maureen Watt on 21 March 2016
Question
To ask the Scottish Government how the new health visitor pathway will equip health visitors with an understanding of attachment and interventions to promote it.
Answer
Health visitors are equipped with the knowledge and skills to recognise, assess, intervene and promote attachment by their learning and practice experience. Health visitors undertake the specialist community public health nursing course which includes the theory and practical application of attachment. In line with the refreshed role of health visitors, this education programme and continuous professional development were refocused in 2015. Health visitors visit families with children under five years of age at regular intervals as outlined in the health visiting pathway and carry out continuous assessment and identification of child and family health and wellbeing needs. The importance of attachment and bonding is one of the core issues which health visitors assess and promote at many of these contact points.