North Somerset's public health nursing and children's centres have once again been recognised with a national award.

The support provided to children and parents by North Somerset Council and Sirona care & health has been awarded the UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative Gold Award.

It celebrates excellent and sustained practice in the support of infant feeding and parent-infant relationships.

The gold award is the highest standard for services which are accredited as Baby Friendly by UNICEF UK.

North Somerset Council and Sirona care & health have successfully maintained their gold status ever since they were awarded the accreditation in 2020.

Following the initial gold accreditation, organisations must undergo a formal revalidation process after one year and then every three years thereafter.

They must submit a portfolio of evidence for consideration and assessors interview senior managers to make sure the services are maintaining the high standards.

In their four-year revalidation report, the assessors noted that the UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative is "embedded and sustained across services" with the standards "at the forefront of continuously driving improvement for the care for babies, their mothers and families."

Assessors also commended how "the pride, enthusiasm, and commitment to drive improvements, increase quality and innovate was apparent from all partners."

Councillor Jenna Ho Marris, the council’s executive member for public health, said: "Congratulations and thank you to all our staff and volunteers in our children’s centres, health visiting and public health teams.

"We know breastfeeding has many benefits for both mum and baby.

"Our continued Gold status shows our commitment to making sure children in North Somerset have the best possible start in life."

Councillor Catherine Gibbons, deputy leader and executive member with responsibility for children’s services, added: "This is such well-deserved recognition.

"We want to create good health and wellbeing throughout life by preventing problems or offering help as early as possible.

"All North Somerset mothers can be sure they’ll be supported to feed their babies responsively and form a strong loving relationship with their newborn."

Nikki Lawrence, Sirona’s head of public health nursing, said: "We are delighted that the continued commitment of all partner agencies to maintain the Gold award in North Somerset has been recognised and we look forward to continuing to support parents to build a close and loving relationship with their baby."

Jo Webb, Sirona’s lead for infant feeding and perinatal and infant mental health, continued: "We are thrilled to receive this continued recognition of our efforts to work with families, volunteers, health partners and the wider community to support infant feeding relationships.

"The UNICEF Baby Friendly programme helps us think about all areas of our work; where things are going well and where we can improve.

"The Gold award reflects our commitment to understanding how we can work to create supportive communities around families to enable parents and infants to have a safe and enjoyable feeding experience."

For more information about the support available with infant and breastfeeding in North Somerset, visit the Better Health North Somerset website.