Healthy Child Service
Telephone: 01387244420
Contact email: dg.healthychildfeedback@nhs.scot
Website:
Address: The Willows Child, Young People and Family Centre The Crichton Glencaple Road Dumfries DG1 4TG
Who the service is aimed at: The Healthy Child Service is for children and young people (aged 0-18 years) and their families living with higher body weights.
Support provided: The Healthy Child Service focuses on health gain and not weight loss and has reducing health inequalities at the core.
The service focuses on the complexities of high body weight – moving away from outdated language such as ‘eat less, move more’
In order to motivate change, it is crucial we have the family’s needs, hopes and goals at the centre. The service helps families understand more about themselves and environment, and to understand where small changes can be made and to improve health and wellbeing.
We have therefore structured a psychology informed programme that allows for flexibility and choice whilst maintaining a focus on specific drivers that impact health and wellbeing.
Depending on the needs of the child or young person, a paediatric dietitian or health improvement worker will meet with the family. Compassionate, therapeutic and a non-judgemental attitude is at the heart of all interactions between the practitioner and family.
Where possible, families are met one to one and face to face in a clinical or community setting.
The intervention phase consists of 8 sessions delivered every 2-4 weeks.
Maintenance phase involves a follow up at 3 months, 6 months, 9 months and 12 months
Age range: ALL AGES;
Area covered: All Dumfries and Galloway
Who can make a referral? (Can an individual access the service directly, or do they need to be referred to it by for example a school, social worker, health practitioner?) Individuals can self-refer, or another service can refer a child/young person.
How to make a referral:
We are happy to have a conversation with family via phone or email if they would like to find out more before referring into the service on dg.healthychildfeedback@nhs.scot or 01387244420
Another service can make a referral for the child/young person using a Request for Assistance (RfA) form.
Top tips for making a ‘good’ referral (if applicable): Referral forms are used to triage children, young people and families to ensure that they receive the most appropriate support.
What needs to be in place before a referral is accepted (for example a Child’s Plan)? Consent from the family
Is there a charge/fee for this service? No
If there is a charge/fee, is there funding available for this?
