Growing Healthy 0-19 Stockton’s Healthy Lifestyles Offer

Healthier Lifestyles Offer

Healthier lifestyles play an important role in children’s growth, development and overall well-being.

Developing healthier habits from an early age can help children: 

• Build a positive relationship with food
• Physical activity and their health
• Supporting their wellbeing now and into the future.

Families play a key role in creating a supportive home environment where healthier habits can be developed and maintained. 

Our Healthier Lifestyles Offer

Our Healthier Lifestyles Offer provides family-centred health promotion and education for children and young people aged 0–19 years who live in Stockton-on-Tees and would benefit from additional support with their lifestyle and growth. 

We offer two levels of support, tailored to each family’s needs: 

Tier 1: 6-Week Journey 

A 6-week, family-centred health promotion and education programme using:

• Evidence-based guidance
• Practical skills and non-judgemental support
• To help families set goals and build healthier
• Sustainable lifestyle habits.

Topics include healthy growth, balanced meals, healthy drinks, snacking, family meals, movement and physical activity, and setting realistic goals. 

This is available to children aged 0 to 19 years old.

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Tier 2: 12-Week Journey 

A 12-week, family-centred education programme using:

• Evidence-based guidance
• Motivational interviewing
• Practical skills and non-judgemental support
• To help families set goals and build healthier
• Sustainable lifestyle habits

Sessions will explore healthier eating, physical activity, portion control, hydration, sleep, emotional wellbeing, body confidence, family routines and behaviour change. Families are supported to identify goals and develop practical skills to make lasting lifestyle changes.

This is available for children aged 2 to 19 years old

How the Service Works

Referral and Triage 

Referrals can be made by professionals or families themselves using a completed referral form, with consent obtained before referral. All referrals are reviewed to consider the information provided and the family’s needs. During triage, each referral will be assessed against the service criteria and the family’s individual needs to determine the most appropriate level of support. 

Initial assessment 

Once your family’s level of support has been agreed, we will meet with you for an initial assessment to understand your family’s specific needs and motivations for change. The assessment will explore growth, health, lifestyle, eating habits, emotional wellbeing, sleep, family routines and home environment. This helps identify family strengths, challenges and priorities, allowing personalised goals to be agreed. 

Family-centred support 

Following your initial assessment, your family will continue through your healthier lifestyles journey. Through education, interactive learning, practical activities and supportive discussions, we will help your family develop the knowledge, confidence and practical skills to make healthier choices and build lasting lifestyle habits. 

Next steps and follow-up 

If your family would benefit from additional support, we will discuss the most appropriate next steps with you and may recommend further support from our service, a paediatrician or a dietitian where needed. Following completion of the Tier 2 programme, we will offer follow-up appointments at 3, 6 and 12 months to review progress, celebrate achievements and help your family maintain healthier habits. 

How to Make a Referral

Professionals and families can refer by completing the relevant referral form. 

Please send completed referral forms to hdft.stockton0-19service@nhs.net.