Healthy Child Programme -

Middlesbrough

What is The Healthy Child Programme?

A new delivery model for the Middlesbrough Healthy Child Programme will start on 1st April 2026.

This change will introduce two separate services for children and young people aged 0–19:

  • A Middlesbrough 0–11 Healthy Child Programme Service (delivered by Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust)

  • An 11–19 Health Support Service for young people, which is currently being developed

These services are designed to meet the different needs of children and young people as they grow.

For more information, please visit the Growing Healthier website.

School children wearing in-school uniform and blue reflective safety vests, facing away from camera, standing near a school entrance gate with a welcome sign that reads "Welcome" and has a logo and cartoon children, on a partly cloudy day.

What is happening to the Healthy Child Programme in Middlesbrough?

The Healthy Child Programme (HCP) is a national programme that supports the health and wellbeing of children and young people. It is for children from birth to age 19, and up to age 25 for care leavers and children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in England.

The programme focuses on prevention, early help and support for families. It is based on evidence about what works best to help children grow up healthy and well.

Local authorities have a legal duty to commission the Healthy Child Programme for children and young people. In South Tees, the programme is delivered by Public Health South Tees.

Redcar and Cleveland’s Healthy Child Programme remains unchanged. For more details about the support available, please visit the Healthy Child Programme page for Redcar and Cleveland.

Group of school children holding a banner outside a school building, promoting resilience and emotional well-being.

Work is underway to develop a new Healthy Child Programme service for young people aged 11–19 in Middlesbrough. The new service is planned to start on 1st April 2027.

During 2026, Public Health South Tees will work with schools, young people, parents and partners to understand local needs and help design the new service. Young people’s views will be central to shaping how the service works.

The new service will focus on prevention and early help. It is expected to include support for emotional wellbeing, healthy lifestyles, relationships and sexual health. These areas were identified as key priorities during a review of the previous service.

Developing a dedicated service for 11–19 year olds recognises the changing health and wellbeing needs of young people today and aims to provide support that is relevant, accessible and effective.

Future support for young people aged 11-19

Group of children playing on a playground structure with a sloped wooden bridge and tunnel, surrounded by trees and houses, wearing bright safety vests.

Where can children and young people access support before the service launch?

Local health services are available for children and young people both in schools and in the community. Public Health South Tees will continue to provide a range of key services for children and young people. A list of local health services is available on the Public Health South Tees website - please visit the Access to Health Services webpage for more information.

In 2024, Public Health South Tees carried out a review of the existing 0–19 Healthy Child Programme. The review looked at local data and feedback from partners. It found that support for young people aged 11–19 was limited and did not include direct work in schools. As a result, there are not expected to be significant changes to the level of local provision for children and young people during 2026–27.