Other Publications

Tackling Obesity through the Healthy Child Programme This framework for action provides guidance and practical direction to reduce the risks of obesity for babies, toddlers and preschool children. Nineteen themes for action are outlined, providing a framework for practitioners who work with parents and carers, clear messages for parents and a basis for guiding public health strategy. The full document can be downloaded here.

Significant Harm: the effects of immigration detention on the health of children and families in the UK This briefing from the Royal College of General Practitioners, Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, Royal College of Psychiatrists and the UK Faculty of Public Health describes the significant harms to the physical and mental health of children and young people in the UK who are subjected to administrative immigration detention. It argues that such detention is unacceptable and should cease without delay. Other countries have developed viable alternatives and the UK should now follow suit. Meanwhile a set of specific recommendations is outlined to minimise the damage caused by the detention of children. Click here to download the full intercollegiate briefing paper, or here for a summary prepared by Dr Emma Fillmore, BPMHG.

Optimising Health in the Early Years This paper describes the changing context and nature of child health in the UK, the rationale for focussing on investment in the early years (0-8 years), a holistic framework to describe the determinants of child health and wellbeing, and how a child public health orientation and way of working can support the achievement of these goals. Its aim is to stimulate discussion and debate in early years settings with a view to strengthening the focus on children’s health issues. Click here to download the document.

The Forced Marriage Unit has published a revised set of multi-agency practice guidelines for frontline professionals (such as teachers, police officers, social and health care professionals, housing officers) to help them to work more closely together and to better identify and protect children and adults at risk of forced marriage.

Fabricated or Induced Illness by Carers (FII): A Practical Guide for Paediatricians  This RCPCH document replaces the 2002 guide, after a study last year by the Department of Children, Families, and Schools, found that only 36% of paediatricians surveyed rated their confidence in dealing with FII cases highly. It aims to boost doctors’ confidence in an area of practice that most find fraught with difficulty, and to ensure that they take the right steps to protect children at risk. Click here to download the document.