Our Health Visiting Service supports families from pregnancy until your child starts school.
There are nine teams working across the Northern Trust area in local communities. These teams include health visitors, school nurses, and specially trained staff who focus on child health, development, and family wellbeing.
What health visitors do
Health visitors provide the Healthy Child Healthy Future Programme for pre-school children. They work in partnership with you to understand your child’s needs and support your family’s health and wellbeing.
They also work closely with other professionals, including:
- GPs
- Midwives
- Teachers
- Social workers
- Speech and language therapists
If needed, they can help you access other services such as parenting programmes or local support groups.
Confidential support
The service is confidential. Your information will not be shared without your permission, unless there is a concern about the safety of you or someone else.
How we support you
Health visitors offer advice and support on a wide range of topics, including:
- Parenting and managing behaviour
- Feeding and nutrition (breastfeeding, bottle feeding, weaning, and healthy eating)
- Immunisations
- Play, learning and child development
- Keeping your child safe
Healthy Child Healthy Future Programme
The Healthy Child Healthy Future Programme supports families with children from birth to age 4.
Health visitors work with you to understand your child’s needs and help your family stay healthy and well. They provide advice, support, and regular check-ins as your child grows and develops.
What information and support you’ll receive
Your health visitor will offer guidance on:
- Feeding and nutrition (breastfeeding, bottle feeding, and introducing solid foods)
- Your child’s development, including play, language, sleep and toilet training
- Emotional health and wellbeing
- Healthy lifestyles for the whole family
- Immunisations
- Keeping your child safe
Additional Health Visiting Services
Star Babies
Star Babies is a support service for first-time parents.
It offers regular home visits during your baby’s first year to help you adjust to parenthood, build a strong relationship with your baby, and support your baby’s development.
Support usually begins during pregnancy and continues until your baby is 12 months old.
Contact your local health visiting team for more information.
Baby and Me groups
Baby and Me groups are weekly sessions for parents with babies up to 12 months old.
These groups:
- Help you learn about your baby’s growth and development
- Build confidence as a parent
- Offer a chance to meet and connect with other parents
- Provide advice and support from health visitors
Contact your local health visiting team to find a group near you.
HENRY Programme
The HENRY programme supports families with children aged 0–5 to develop healthy habits.
It is delivered by trained facilitators and focuses on areas such as nutrition, physical activity, and emotional wellbeing.
- Telephone: 0758 488 4678
This short video provides helpful information and practical advice to support you and your baby.
It explains key points in a clear and easy-to-understand way, helping you feel more confident and informed.
Where to find us
Health visiting services are available across the Northern Trust area, including Antrim, Ballyclare, Ballymena, Ballymoney, Carrickfergus, Coleraine, Cookstown, Larne, Magherafelt and Newtownabbey.
How to contact us
Antrim Health Centre
Station Road, Antrim, BT41 4AB
- Telephone: 028 9448 1776
Larne Health Centre
Gloucester Avenue, Larne, BT40 1PB
- Telephone: 028 2826 1956
Braid Valley Care Complex
Cushendall Road, Ballymena, BT43 6HB
- Telephone: 028 2563 5658
Community Information Services Department
Armour Site, 6 Newal Road, Ballymoney, BT53 6HD
- Telephone: 028 2766 1891
Carrickfergus Health Centre
Taylor’s Avenue, Carrickfergus, BT38 7HT
- Telephone: 028 9331 5824
Coleraine Community Clinics
7c Castlerock Road, Coleraine, BT51 3HP
- Telephone: 028 7032 5461
Cookstown Community Services Centre
52 Orritor Road, Cookstown, BT80 8BN
- Telephone: 028 8672 3842
Magherafelt Community Services Centre
60 Hospital Road, Magherafelt, BT45 5EG
- Telephone: 028 7936 5014
Glengormley Community Services Centre
40 Carnmoney Road, Newtownabbey, BT36 6HP
- Telephone: 028 9083 1492
Useful resources
Safer Sleep for Your Baby
We have gathered a range of trusted resources to help you understand how to keep your baby safe while they sleep.
These resources provide clear, practical advice on safe sleeping positions, creating a safe sleep environment, and reducing the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).