A PILOT scheme to join-up education and health services for pre-school children in Warwickshire has been showcased in a national report.

"Getting it right for families" is a report launched by the Early Intervention Foundation in November.

Warwickshire is one of 20 local authorities being followed where shared practice across health agencies such as midwives, health visitors and GPs, and early education services such as Children’s Centres, nurseries and childcare are monitored.

The county's work on the integrated universal two and a half years review is highlighted in the report as an example of promising practice.

Review appointments were arranged by the health visiting team on an individual basis, with the child and their parents or carers in the most appropriate setting. This could include the child’s home, children’s centres or a health centre where health visitors meet with parents individually.

The pilot proved successful and parents liked the approach which is now commonplace across the county.

Warwickshire County Councillor Bob Stevens, Portfolio Holder for Children’s Health said: “I am delighted that we have been cited in this important national report as a local authority with promising practice in the early years.

“We are committed to looking at ways of improving the integration of our systems and offering the best possible service to children and families in our area.”

Carey Oppenheim, chief executive of the Early Intervention Foundation said:

“The early years are a key period in a child’s development. The fragmented way we organise services for children from conception to five means vital needs are missed and opportunities lost. By integrating services around the young child and the family we can provide the right level of expertise to the right families at the right time. I am pleased to see such promising practice emerging in Warwickshire.”