Supporting young families and tackling child poverty in South Lanarkshire
The Family Nurse Partnership is designed to support young parents early in life.
In South Lanarkshire, a dedicated team is helping transform the futures of young mothers and their children.
The Family Nurse Partnership (FNP) is an evidence-based programme designed to support young parents early in life. It is making significant strides in reducing poverty, tackling health inequalities and ensuring the most vulnerable families have the opportunity to thrive.
At its core, FNP provides intensive support to first-time mothers aged 20 and under, starting from early pregnancy and continuing until their child turns two. This strength-based home visiting programme is not just about healthcare, it is about building trust, confidence and hope.
Stacey Anderson, South Lanarkshire University Health and Social Care Partnership's locality service manager for Rutherglen and Cambuslang, said: 'For many young parents, the journey into parenthood can be overwhelming, especially when combined with the challenges of financial instability or limited access to support.
'The FNP model addresses these challenges head-on through proactive early intervention. The service stands as a leading example of what can be achieved when care, compassion and collaboration come together — supporting young parents and their children not just to survive, but to thrive.
'What makes FNP truly unique is the way it builds relationships. We aim to help young parents work towards achieving their short and long-term goals and aspirations and through home visiting and structured guidance, create better health and financial outcomes for both parents and children.
'Our nurses build trust over time, often becoming one of the few constants in a young parent's life. That trusted relationship is what makes it possible to have honest conversations about health, parenting, finances and the future.'
The FNP model is rooted in early intervention and addressing poverty and inequality. By providing a strengths-based approach, the programme helps improve birth outcomes, reduce risk factors and equip young mothers with the tools to make informed decisions for themselves and their children.
Lynsey Sutherland, associate nurse director for South Lanarkshire University Health and Social Care Partnership, added. 'By connecting with young mothers and their child early, we not only improve health outcomes, we change life trajectories. We see mothers gaining confidence, returning to education, securing housing and developing success in achieving their life goals.'
FNP aligns directly with South Lanarkshire's new Strategic Commissioning Plan 2025–2028, which names 'Nurture' as one of its five strategic goals — aiming to help more children reach their developmental milestones by ensuring families are supported from the earliest days.
Professor Soumen Sengupta, chief officer of South Lanarkshire University Health and Social Care Partnership, said: 'Our delivery of FNP shows the real impact of meaningful, early intervention in changes lives.
'By investing in young children and focusing on evidence-based prevention, we are not only supporting individual wellbeing — we are building healthier, more resilient communities for generations to come.
'Many of our families in South Lanarkshire are also dealing with the challenges of financial hardship, and so our approach to FNP has also been developed to support access to expert assistance and to offer that support with dignity.
'It is yet another wonderful example of our strategic ambitions in action, brought to life by our committed staff and with the support of local people.'
Stacey added: 'We make sure that no one misses out by supporting families to access benefits and entitlements, some of which young parents aren't aware of — whether that's financial support, food vouchers, or guidance through benefit changes, such as ensuring access for parents without a National Insurance number.
'This is done through regular screenings and referrals and help alleviating financial stress and promoting healthy child development.'
Lynsey said: 'When we talk about addressing poverty, we need a whole-system approach. The team works hand-in-hand with valued partners, including the Council's Money Matters Service, local voluntary groups and the Child Poverty Action Group, to ensure holistic support across housing, education, employment and health.
FNP brings together the clinical, the practical, and the emotional — connecting families to the right support at the right time. That is what creates lasting change.'
*Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here.
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