Health Scotlands role and work with partners in relation to child nutrition Dr Cathy Higginson Food and Health Programme Manager NHS Health Scotland

What this presentation will cover: Role of Health Scotland and its partnership working Health Scotland early years and child nutrition work – drivers & partners Scottish Executive proposed food & health policy priorities The team within Health Scotland working on child nutrition Overview of current work Focus on: Nutritional Guidance for the Early Years training Focus on: Contribution to Schools (Health Promotion & Nutrition) (Scotland) Act

What does Health Scotland do? Scotlands national agency for improving health Purpose: to provide leadership and work with partners to improve health and reduce health inequalities in Scotland Work across a range of topic areas, including nutrition

Partnership Working National agencies Scottish Executive NHS Health Boards Local authorities Community organisations Voluntary organisations Media Academic & research centres Private companies European Office of the World Health Organisation

Health Scotland child nutrition work - Drivers and partners - Key drivers: –Scottish Executive policy priorities –Needs identified through research or feedback –Part of core HS function Key partners: –Scottish Executive (Health & Wellbeing, and Education Depts) –FSA Scotland –NHS Boards and CHPs –Childcare Partnerships –Care Commission –UNICEF –NES

SE Health and Wellbeing proposed policy priorities Maternal nutrition Infant nutrition (0-2s) Creating healthy places Food in the public sector Food industry Older people

Within Health Scotland Key programmes working on child nutrition within Health Scotland: –Food and Health programme: Cathy Higginson –Early Years programme: Celia Gardiner –Schools programme: Anne Lee Supported by: –Evidence for Action team: Kate Woodman & Nutrition Public Health Adviser (to be apptd)

Health Scotland 2007/8 workplan: Early years nutrition Revision of Ready Steady Baby Ready Steady Toddler Healthy Start Work with SE and FSAS on folate Revision of Fun First Foods weaning booklet Commentary on NICE guideline on maternal and infant nutrition Nutritional Guidance for the Early Years – capacity building

Drivers for 2007/8 HS Early Years nutrition work ProjectDriver Revision of Ready Steady BabyExisting resource, need for update Ready Steady ToddlerNeed identified through research Healthy StartSupport for national policy implemtn Work with SE and FSAS on folateSupport for national policy implemtn Revision of Fun First FoodsFeedback from field Commentary on NICE GuidelineHS core Public Health Science function Nutritional Guidance for the Early YearsSupport national policy devel & implmtn

Work in progress/planned for 2007/8 : Child nutrition Schools (Health Promotion & Nutrition) Act –Expert Working Group & associated groups –Health promotion guidance –Training needs analysis Curriculum for Excellence Beyond the School Gates

Drivers for 2007/8 HS Child nutrition work ProjectDriver Schools Act - EWG & other groupsSupport for national policy development Schools Act – Health Promotn GuidanceSupport for national policy development Schools Act – training needs analysisSupport for national policy implemtn Curriculum for ExcellenceSupport for national policy development Beyond the School GatesSupport for national policy development

Nutritional Guidance for the Early Years – capacity building NGEY launched January 2006 Set nutritional standards & gave guidance for early years care providers Linked with existing Adventures in Foodland resource Care Commission inspections used as driver for implementation in Year 1 Need for training identified from early stage

Policy context Nutritional Guidance for the Early Years (Scottish Executive 2005) The Health Promoting School (HMIe Self Evaluation Series 2004) Birth to Three (Scottish Executive 2005) Curriculum Framework for Children aged 3 to 5 ( Scottish Executive) A Curriculum for Excellence 3-18 (Scottish Executive 2005) National Care Standards Breastfeeding strategies Obesity strategies

How we worked Key partners: Childcare Partnerships across Scotland (incl Education & NHS) Key aims of project: –High quality training tailored to local needs –Sustainability –Integration Innovative approach: Member of HS team worked closely with CCPs to identify local needs & lever local workforce development monies Mentoring from areas already well on with process; nutrition expert input

Evaluation Process evaluation commissioned January 07, due to report July 07 Qualitative examination of way HS and partners worked in four case study areas Considering additional evaluation of mentoring and expert input aspect

Schools Bill Expert Working Group Approached by SE Health & Education Depts to chair Group Convened group with catering, nutrition, academic, health promotion & oral health expertise, August 2006 Key partnership with FSA Scotland in providing secretariat to Group Series of meetings supported by SEED Delivery of proposed standards October 2006 Work ongoing to complete Food in Scottish Schools supporting guidance with FSA Scotland

Cathy Higginson Food and Health Programme Manager NHS Health Scotland