FNHC achieves Stage 3 UNICEF Baby Friendly accreditation

Family Nursing & Home Care is delighted to announce that it has recently been awarded Stage 3 UNICEF Baby Friendly accreditation. This means that the organisation is now fully accredited as Baby Friendly, having previously met the requirements for Stages 1 and 2.

For the health visiting team and Baby Steps, Stage 3 accreditation involved assessing that mothers are supported with their feeding, given useful and accurate information and that parents are supported to recognise the importance of relationships and how to build these.

Throughout the process, regular audit of staff knowledge, practical skills and parental experience was undertaken to ensure compliance with the standards. In addition, environmental audits were undertaken to ensure clinical areas were welcoming, comfortable, providing appropriate information free of advertising of Breastmilk Substitutes.

After two years, re-assessments will take place on a regular basis to ensure that the standards are being maintained and to explore how the service is building upon the good work it has already done. At this time FNHC will be able to apply for the ‘Achieving Sustainability’ assessment, leading to the Gold Award.