Family Nursing & Home Care (FNHC) are have been awarded a Stage 2 UNICEF Baby Friendly accreditation.
The UK Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF UK) Baby Friendly Initiative works with UK and Channel Islands public services to protect, promote and support breastfeeding and to strengthen mother-baby and family relationships.
The UNICEF accreditation report stated: “Family Nursing and Home Care – Jersey presents a positive approach towards implementing the Baby Friendly standards and has consistently displayed enthusiasm and commitment towards providing an effective training programme. The assessment revealed the health visiting staff are equipped with the knowledge and skills to implement Baby Friendly standards to support parents to have close and loving relationships with their baby, promote breastfeeding and support mothers with feeding their baby.”
The accreditation comes after an incredibly challenging year for FNHC, with Covid impacting how services could be delivered and also resourcing. The report recognised “infant feeding has been prioritised, training maintained and face to face service provision resumed very rapidly. Exclusive breastfeeding rates are increasing.”
FNHC will now work towards Stage 3 of the UNICEF Baby Friendly accreditation in 2023.
FNHC CEO Rosemarie Finley commented: “We believe that all children and parents should have the opportunity to “start well”. We work closely with parents and carers in Jersey via our health visitors, at home and in child health clinics and through the Baby Steps programme.
“Achieving stage 2 UNICEF Baby Friendly accreditation is testament to the expert service and care provided by FNHC Child and Family Services”.
Main picture: Unicef.
