SSAFA Kenya BATUK

SSAFA provides a remote health visiting service to the British Forces community within Kenya.

Health Visitors – delivering the Healthy Child Programme

The role of a Health Visitor
Where can we help?
How can we help?
How do we work?
How you can access the service


The role of a Health Visitor

Health Visitors are registered Nurses or Midwives who have undertaken additional training to become Specialist Community Public Health Nurses. They work with families to give babies and pre-school children the best start in life, as we know that the first years of life are a foundation for future health and wellbeing. We are happy to be contacted about older children in BATUK if they are experiencing any developmental or behavioural issues.

We work closely with other members of the Community Health Team and the Primary Health Care Team to make sure that all parents and children can access the most appropriate services for their health and wellbeing.

Where can we help?

Health Visitors would normally see people at home, in the Medical Centre, in Early Years settings, 0-5 year Clinics and remotely by telephone or VTC (in BATUK).

How can we help?

  • Transition to parenthood
  • Well Baby Clinic
  • Babies and children's growth and development including speech, language and communication and readiness for school
  • Supporting babies and children with additional needs
  • Managing minor illnesses
  • Advice on conditions, allergies and infections
  • Breastfeeding, bottle feeding, weaning, nutrition and maintaining a healthy weight
  • Postnatal depression and mum's and dad's mental and physical health
  • Behaviour issues - e.g. sleeping, eating, potty training, tantrums
  • Support with parenting
  • Family planning
  • Family health and relationships
  • Teething and good dental health
  • Health promotion
  • Community health
  • Children’s emotional wellbeing

How do we work?

Health Visitors working with families in British Forces follow UK guidance and best practice which is detailed in the Healthy Child Programme and where possible will offer the service that you would normally expect to get in England.

We offer a Universal Service, which means that we offer our service to all families who have children under 5 years of age. In BATUK this is a remote service offered through Zoom appt or telephone.

How you can access the service

Health Visitors will contact all families, with children under 5 years, at the following times:

  • After you arrive in BATUK and register at the Medical Centre (you must register with SSAFA, through the Med Centre to access the Health Visitor, this is a 0-5 yr registration form)
  • When you transfer-in
  • When your baby is between 10-12 months of age
  • When your child is between 2 and 2 1/2 years of age

Please also see our contact telephone numbers on this page.