Children and Young People
Our Joint Health Improvement Team lead an early intervention and prevention approach to improving the health and wellbeing and reducing health inequalities of children, young people and families living in the Scottish Borders. Our service works with a national approach known as: ‘Getting it Right for Every Child’ (GIRFEC) and takes a multi-agency approach to improve health outcomes across a number of key areas:
Infant Feeding
On the 8th December 2020 NHS Borders achieved UNICEF- Sustainability Gold Award for Maternity Services. We are the 3rd board across Scotland to achieve this prestigious award
- UNICEF Baby Friendly Initiative
- Breastfeeding in the Borders BIBS (Infant feeding Support Service)
- Bumps Babies and Beyond
- Borders Child Healthy weight: Fit4Fun families
- Healthy Start
- Weaning & Toddlers Nutrition sessions
- Setting the Table
- Eatwell Guide
- Best Start
- Family nutrition and cookery sessions
Substance Use in Education
A new online package of resources was launched in 2019 for teachers across Scottish Borders Schools (in Early Years, Primary and Secondary Schools) on drugs, alcohol and tobacco education and prevention.
- Growing in Confidence
- See Me
- Self Harm
All of us in Scottish Borders who work with children and young people are committed to keeping them safe and promoting their wellbeing. These revised multi-agency self-harm guidelines are intended to assist professionals through the process of supporting a child or young person who may be at risk of self-harm or suicide. The approach that we are promoting in these guidelines recognises the importance of prevention, early intervention and harm minimisation. What young people need from those who work with them is a sensitive, calm, non judgemental response to help them contain their distress and an opportunity to work through that distress to find solutions.
The associated Self-harm Awareness Guides are intended to assist parents and young people through the process of support of a child or young person who may be at risk of self-harm or suicide.
- Scottish Borders Guidance: a multi-agency approach to working with young people at risk of self-harm and suicide
- Scottish Borders Self-harm Awareness Guide for Parents
- Scottish Borders Self-harm Awareness Guide for Young People
Healthy Relationships and Sexual Health
- Borders Sexual Health Service
- C card
- Violence Against Women
For more information about health improvement and the work we do, please contact us at Health.improvement@borders.scot.nhs.uk