The Somerset Preschool Lifestyle Activity and Skills for self Help programme aims to develop family-focused early intervention and prevention strategies, emphasising the importance of mental wellbeing alongside physical health.
In Somerset, the SPLASH (Somerset Preschool Lifestyle Activity and Skills for self Help) programme represents an innovative shift in addressing childhood obesity by focusing on the early years.
SPLASH is a children’s weight management service in Somerset for children below the age of 4 years old. They are a team of professionals working with both the young child and their family to help them learn new skills, build confidence and understand more about food and wellbeing. The team is comprised of a Doctor, a Dietitian and a Clinical Psychologist.
Initiated to fill the gaps in weight management support for families, particularly in deprived areas, SPLASH combines clinical and community resources to offer holistic, family-centred care.
It is particularly noteworthy as an approach built into Early Years service provision rather than using the National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP) or referral as an entry point to healthy weight education and services.
The programme has been developed for children under the age of 5. It aims to develop family-focused early intervention and prevention strategies, emphasising the importance of mental wellbeing alongside physical health.
The challenge
Prior to 2019, Somerset faced a significant challenge: a lack of comprehensive weight management services for families, coupled with constrained resources.
The county’s childhood obesity statistics, while not exceeding the national average, were not declining.
Recognising the need for a targeted approach, Somerset embarked on creating a solution that could address these multi-pronged issues effectively across largely rural communities.
Through establishing a Healthy Weight Alliance and appointing a Healthy Weight Development Lead, the council forged strong partnerships across the NHS and voluntary sector.
The solution
The response was the development of SPLASH.
SPLASH began as a clinical, hospital-based programme, but has evolved into a community-centric model. This shift facilitated increased accessibility and interest, with a strong engagement rate of 84 per cent. A key component of SPLASH is its strong psychological support system, offering counselling and therapy to address underlying issues related to living with obesity.
Simultaneously, Somerset integrated this programme with their health visiting service delivery, focussing on those most vulnerable families. This integration created a seamless pathway for families, providing consistent support throughout a child's early years. The approach is characterised by its flexibility, adaptability, and focus on the individual needs of families.
The impact
SPLASH’s innovative approach has resulted in positive behavioural changes and lifestyle adaptations among participating families. The programme’s success is evident in the high engagement rates and positive feedback from participants.
While it is still early to determine long-term impacts, preliminary indications suggest a shift towards healthier lifestyles and improved psychological wellbeing in both children and their families.
How is the new approach being sustained?
Sustainability is achieved through strategic integration with existing community and health services.
Early intervention strategies, starting from antenatal care, ensure that families are supported from the outset. Continuous engagement through community-based programmes and health visitor interventions reinforces healthy behaviours and provides ongoing support.
The approach adopted by Somerset is designed to be self-sustaining. By embedding the healthy weight programmes into health visiting service delivery for antenatal visits and throughout a child’s early years, it is building trust, credibility, and recognition within the community.
Future plans include expanding the age range of the programme to include older children and using NCMP data for targeted intervention points. By further developing a programme that has its roots in the SPLASH early years and health visiting initiatives, it is anticipated that demand and engagement will only continue to grow with the variety of services offered.
Lessons learned
Somerset’s experience highlights several key lessons:
- The importance of moving away from traditional, siloed approaches of weight management to a whole systems approach
- The effectiveness of integrating psychological support into health programmes
- The need for services to be adaptable and responsive to the unique needs of each family.
The transition from clinical to community settings has proven crucial in enhancing accessibility and reducing the stigma associated with weight management programmes.
The aim is to maintain the compassionate, holistic approach while adapting to the needs of different age groups. Continuous evaluation and adaptation will be key in ensuring the programme remains effective and relevant.
Contact
Tracey McCallum, Nurse Practitioner
[email protected]
Kate Anderson, Public Health Specialist - Health Improvement
[email protected]