There are 2 clear routes for getting help:
- One for health and social care professionals.
- One for families, community groups, and voluntary organisations who want to refer themselves or others.
Professional pathway
The first instance of emergency infant formula need is identified by:
- a health visitor
- a community midwife
- social care
- children’s centre staff
Inclusion criteria:
The following are inclusion criteria:
- A family with a child under 12 months of age, in financial crisis, with no other means to purchase the infant formula they require, and they have less than a 48 hour supply
- All families regardless of recourse to public funds status
Online referrals
The named professional then completes an online referral.
The referral is then processed by the EIFP team.
The professional can refer or signpost the family to other services and support as necessary, such as Citizens Advice, Derbyshire Discretionary Fund, Welfare Rights, or the Healthy Start scheme.
Emergency formula vouchers
The emergency formula voucher is awarded If eligible, and the family will receive a text or email with a voucher code that they will be able to cash at their nearest post office.
The Health Visiting Service will be notified so that a feeding and health needs assessment can be carried out with the family
Follow ups and reviews by the Health Visiting Service
If a further need is identified, the Health Visiting team will approve further voucher/s for additional supply of formula (usually a week's supply) using the online referral.
The health visiting team will review the family’s need before the supply runs out.
The supply of infant formula will stop when it's agreed that emergency formula is no longer required and the urgent need is resolved, or the child has reached their first birthday.
Voluntary, community sector or self-referral pathway
The first instance of emergency infant formula need is identified by:
- a food bank or other CVS organisation
- a referral or signposting of the family to the Derbyshire Family Health Service Single Point of Access (SPA)
- the family self-referring
Inclusion criteria
The following are inclusion criteria:
- A family with a child under 12 months of age, in financial crisis, with no other means to purchase the infant formula they require, and they have less than a 48 hour supply
- All families regardless of recourse to public funds status
If a need is identified between 9am and 4.30pm, Monday to Friday, contact the Derbyshire Family Health Service Single Point of Access (SPA) by telephone: 01246 515100 or Text: 07507 327769 for infant feeding assessment and support.
The health visiting service will be notified that a request for an emergency formula voucher has been made and they will contact the family.
Out of hours
If a need is identified out of hours after 5pm Monday to Friday, bank holidays and weekends, call the out of hours Social Care Team on telephone: 01629 532600 and they will provide an emergency payment.
They will also share details with the health visiting service within 24 hours so that follow-up support can be provided.
Health visiting service contact
Regardless of how a need is identified, the health visiting service will contact the family to assess the need for emergency infant formula. They will complete an infant feeding and health needs assessment as well as an online referral for further supplies.
A health visitor will attempt to call the family on a withheld number on two occasions, and will send a follow up text following each unsuccessful call.
Emergency Formula voucher awarded
The family will receive a text or email with a voucher code that they will be able to cash at their nearest post office.
Follow-up or review undertaken by the health visiting service
A further review will be carried out by the health visiting service.
If further need is identified the health visiting team will approve further voucher/s for additional supply of formula (usually a week's supply) using the online referral.
They will agree to review family’s need before supply of infant formula runs out.
The supply of infant formula will stop when it is agreed that emergency formula is no longer required and the urgent need is resolved, or the child has reached their first birthday.
Additional information
All staff and volunteers are advised to work within the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes (the Code)
If there are any safeguarding concerns, a referral must be made to Children’s Social Care in line with Derby and Derbyshire Safeguarding Partnership procedures.
This pathway has been developed in line with UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Guide for Local Authorities and Health Boards.