In February 2010, the Public Health Nursing Dept in HSE Dublin Mid Leinster in the Laois/Offaly and Longford/ Westmeath area, initiated the development of a child and family needs assessment framework. A multidisciplinary Steering Committee with representation from: public health nursing in the Midlands and Dublin area; NMPDU Tullamore, Dublin and Cork; PHN Consultant; Regional Centre of Nursing and Midwifery Education; National Children and Families Education Training Research and Policy Group and the Social Work Department, was set up to oversee the development and implementation of the framework. This assessment framework will consist of a child and family health needs assessment record with supporting tools that will enable Public Health Nurses to assess, interpret and analyse (risk and protective factors) in their work with children and families and will assist them in identifying children, who are in need of early intervention and require additionalsupports. An education programme will also be developed to provide PHN’s with the knowledge and skills necessary to identify and intervene (early) in situations where there is evidence of impairments to a child’s health and development.

In Ireland, the Core Child Health Screening and Surveillance (CHSS) programme offers every family with children, a programme of screening tests, immunisations, developmental reviews, information and guidance to support parents to meet the needs of their children. The child andfamily health assessment record will be used when the child requires additional support over and above the universal CHSS programme provided by the PHN service.

The framework, educational programme and supporting documentation is in development in Dublin Mid Leinster. The project is supported by the National Council for Nursing and Midwifery and the NMPDU Tullamore. For further information, contact: Ms. Virginia Pye, Director Public Health Nursing, Health Centre, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath, by Email: Virginia.pye@hse.ie , or by Phone: 0449395078.