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Sign in or register for an accountThe Start Well section of Salford’s Core JSSNA considers topics on health, wellbeing and other themes particularly relevant to children and young people from conception to adulthood. Each theme has several topics including a summary of useful information developed to provide understanding and support decision-making to shape the future health, well-being, and development of our youngest residents with the best possible start in life.
Against a background of falling births nationally, Salford has seen a steady number of around 3,500 births each year for more than a decade. This has led to a consistent number of children and young people at each year of age, up to around 16-years-old. Salford’s current population size increases with each age from 17-years-old up to age 25. Children and young people are not evenly spread across the city and some live with circumstances that provide much greater challenges to achieving their full potential.
“…Positive experiences early in life are closely associated with a range of beneficial long-term outcomes, including better performance at school, better social and emotional development, improved work outcomes, higher income and better lifelong health, including longer life expectancy” Marmot Review, 2011
The goal of the Start Well agenda is to lay a strong foundation for lifelong health and well-being by addressing the needs of children and their families during these critical early years. Developing effective strategies to address the challenges of supporting younger residents to lead long, healthy and happy lives will require a comprehensive, joined-up approach including partner organisations collaborating with families and young people.
This section is divided into the following parts:
Ensuring access to high-quality prenatal and postnatal care is vital for the health of both mothers and infants. This includes regular health check-ups, immunisations and support for expectant and new mothers.
Research consistently shows that the first few years of life are crucial for cognitive, emotional, and social development. During this period, children undergo rapid brain development, and their experiences can have long-lasting effects on their future health and well-being. Positive early experiences and environments can lead to better outcomes in education, health, and social behaviour, while adverse experiences can have detrimental effects.
Access to quality early childhood education and care is crucial for cognitive and social development. This includes providing safe, nurturing, and stimulating environments that support learning and development.
Supporting families and caregivers is essential for creating a stable and nurturing environment for children. This includes providing resources and programs that promote positive parenting practices and address the needs of families.
Early identification and support for mental health issues in children and their families are critical. This includes providing access to mental health services and promoting emotional well-being through supportive environments.
Proper nutrition and physical activity are fundamental for healthy growth and development. This includes promoting healthy eating habits, ensuring access to nutritious foods, and encouraging physical activity from an early age.
Creating safe and supportive environments for children to grow and thrive is essential. This includes addressing issues such as housing, community safety, and protection from abuse and neglect.