Features | Community Practitioner

Read the journal’s professional features, analysis, clinical updates and practice-related articles.

Creature comfort

Our pets make us smile and laugh – but they might also help improve the health of the nation. Should CPs be making greater use of animal-assisted therapy?

AnalysisHealth and wellbeing, Mental Health

Is there a crisis of childhood?

Children in the UK are buckling as a result of unprecedented social pressures, political turmoil and a void in government policies that should keep them safe and well, says a recent report. Journalist Jo Waters asks what can be done to help avert a crisis.

AnalysisHealth and wellbeing, Growth and development

One step sideways

What happens when a health visitor wants to become a school nurse? Practice teacher Caron Robinson supervises those who choose to change career paths.

AdviceCareers, Jobs, Professional

Better together

Health visitor Alison Spiro looks at three local authorities in England that provide integrated pathways between hospital and community services for breastfeeding support.

Best practiceInfant feeding, Professional

The daily grind

Millions of people in the UK of all ages have one form of arthritis or another, and pain can be the biggest obstacle to a normal life, says journalist John Windell.

ClinicalHealth and wellbeing, Jobs, Professional

The first 1000 days

Jane Barlow says we need new sorts of evidence to enable CPs to play their role in equalising the life chances of all children and giving them the best start in life.

AnalysisInfant feeding

Plug in and learn something new

Podcasts are a brilliant bite-size way to deliver information to an audience. Health visitor Amy Dobson reveals how you can benefit from podcasting, as a listener or contributor.

AnalysisCareers, Jobs, Professional

Putting children at the heart of policy

Sally Star explores the emergence of ground-breaking Welsh legislation and public health strategies on keeping the nation’s children safe.

AnalysisHealth and wellbeing, Safeguarding

On the look out

Unexplained changes in children’s eyes should never be ignored, so it helps to know the signs of serious and routine issues. Journalist John Windell also offers tips for protecting young eyes from accidental damage.

ClinicalSafeguarding, Growth and development

Are you in?

Discover all you need to know about this year’s Unite-CPHVA Annual Professional Conference.

AnalysisCareers, Jobs, Professional

What do you see?

Negative body image is an issue for children and adults alike. What’s the impact, and how can you help? Journalist Anna Scott reports.

AnalysisMental Health, Growth and development

The sticking point

An action plan to help your client when the odds are stacked against you is more important than ever, writes journalist Erin Dean, especially with harder-to-access services and CP staffing issues.

Best practiceCareers, Jobs, Professional

Health for all children

Alan Emond, senior editor of this vital child health reference book, reveals what’s new in the fifth edition.

AnalysisCareers, Jobs, Professional

Let's end the postcode lottery

New research calls for five key actions to help community practitioners support women and families living with perinatal mental illness in Northern Ireland. Caroline Cunningham and Susan Galloway discuss.

Best practice

One of your own

Safeguarding nurse Caroline Waldron explores the role of the health practitioner as a corporate parent for looked-after children and care leavers, identifying practical steps.

Best practiceSafeguarding, Growth and development

Breastfeeding: the right support

Professor Sally Kendall MBE explores why breastfeeding rates are so low, and how health visitors can support mums to do more of it.

AnalysisInfant feeding

An early start

More babies are being born extremely premature. While these babies can often face health and developmental issues, their families can also be affected by anxiety and depression. So it’s vital that CPs offer support. Journalist and mum of twins born prematurely Linsey Wynton reports.

AdviceMental Health, Growth and development