NHS Grampian Family Nurse Partnership marks 10-year anniversary

A service aimed at offering young, first-time mothers, a person centred, preventative, home visiting programme is celebrating 10 years of operation in Grampian. The Family Nurse Partnership is designed to cover the first crucial 1,001 days of life, from early pregnancy until the child's second birthday. 

 

Family Nurse Partnerships operate across Scotland. Staffed by specially trained midwives, health visitors, and school nurses, they offer intensive support during the first two years of a child’s life, if their mother was 19 or under at conception. This is extended to aged 25 or under at the time of conception, if the mother was a ‘Care Experienced’ child. 1 in 5 of those supported by the Family Nurse Partnership have been ‘looked after’ or are care experienced. 

 

It is an evidence based behavioural change, one to one, home visiting programme, developed at the University of Colorado Denver, USA. It recognises the importance of the early years for children and aims to improve outcomes and improve children’s chances. It is tailored to meet the specific needs of young parents and recognises the challenges they face. It is a voluntary programme, with more than 80% of those offered the opportunity opting to take part. 

 

Tracy Thorn, Family Nurse Supervisor, said: “In our first ten years, we have worked with 979 families locally.  Our team work with young new mums – and their wider family, as appropriate – to build a respectful therapeutic relationship, helping them to make the best choices for their child. 

 

“Our first teachers are our parents. Some of the young mothers we support have had difficult childhoods and may not have the family circle around them that most of us take for granted. However, it is important to remember the Family Nurse Partnership is there for all young parents.” 

 

Andi Shand is one of those to have worked with a family nurse. She said: “FNP is absolutely amazing! My little girl struggled to gain weight for the longest time, the family nurse was the biggest support to me when she went on her feeding tube. She kept me motivated throughout the low times with my daughters eating and was over the moon for me a year later when she was able to have the tube removed. The Family Nurses care about your wellbeing as a parent, are judgement free, and most importantly are always reliable when you need them for advice. I am so incredibly grateful for this programme’s assistance in my child’s first years.” 

 

Sharon Clark, Family Nurse Supervisor, said “Our service began in Grampian with a small team of seven; over the last 10 years this has expanded to fifteen highly skilled colleagues. We work collaboratively with other NHS, social work & Third sector organisations across Grampian. We are exceptionally proud of the families we work with and of the partnership working between client and Family Nurse who strive to achieve the best possible outcome for them and their child” 

 

A celebration event took place in Aberdeen to mark the 10-year anniversary on 6 June 2025. As well as current and former team members, and those who have benefited from the service, representatives from PEEP, Bookbug, and Play, Talk, Read took part. A celebration cake was cut by Elisha, the first client of the FNP, and her daughter Amelia who is now almost 10. The event was made possible thanks to a generous donation by The ARCHIE Foundation. 

 

Dr June Brown, executive nurse director for NHS Grampian, said: “The Family Nurse Partnership programme has made an incredible difference to families across Grampian. I was delighted to meet so many of the team – and the people they have worked with – at the celebration event. To see so many thriving families is a testament to their skill as nurses and midwives.”