Odufuwa, Community Staff Nurse & Student Health Visitor
- Community Workforce
- Name of service: Health Visiting Team
- Describe your role in three words: Educate, support and signpost
What does your day look like from sunrise to sunset?
I begin my day by reviewing my clients and contacting parents to schedule home or clinic visits for children 0-5. If it’s a clinic day I ready myself to provide guidance on various topics including, feeding, safe sleep and public health promotions e.g., allowing carers to make informed decisions on immunization. After lunch, I update documentation, coordinate referrals to healthcare services and finish the day by sending reminders for tomorrow’s appointments.
How does your service support the residents of south east London?
We support families with children aged 0-5 years living in Peckham and Camberwell. Our service advocates for children within our locality, connecting families to other services operating in South East London and ensuring children within the community are given the best start in life.
What’s the best way of explaining your role in the team?
As a community nurse, I support health visitors by delivering health promotion and education, developmental assessments, support on infant feeding and home visits to assess the health needs of families and provide tailored advice or interventions by referring to appropriate services.
Tell us about a time when you felt you made a difference to someone
I conducted a developmental review with a child who spoke in monosyllables. Afraid of being judged, mother and child isolated themselves. To meet the families physical and social needs, we created a plan that included referrals for a hearing test, speech therapy, and encouraging the mother to connect with other parents at playcentres.
What do you love about your role?
The sense of purpose I get from knowing that every visit I carry out is helping a child to thrive! I love the teamwork and knowing that I am contributing to the Healthy Child Programme, ensuring every child is accounted for, regardless of the families’ income or immigration status.
What advice would you give to someone starting in this role or keen to work in a similar service?
The Health Visiting team is an exciting and rewarding service. I would tell someone wanting to become a community nurse to communicate clearly, concisely and with compassion. Take time to listen to the concerns of the parents, validating their feelings is just as important as educating parents.