SUPPORTING families suffering in poverty has become a “top priority” for health visitors in England, a report by their professional body has revealed.

The Institute of Health Visiting’s (IHV) annual survey of health visitors found that poverty was more rife in England than in other parts of Britain.

Its research showed the top problem across Britain was mothers’ mental health problems during and after pregnancy.

But the second-biggest reason set England apart from the rest of Britain, with 86 per cent of health visitors citing poverty affecting families and leading them to need further support.

IHV chief executive Alison Morton said: “In England, health visitors reported that their practice was dominated by social concerns — more families needed help with the impacts of poverty and with babies/children who have safeguarding concerns below the threshold for children’s social care.

“They were still being asked to support families with concerns around their child’s behaviour, including neurodevelopmental issues like autism and ADHD — however, their time was increasingly being diverted to support families in poverty or with child safeguarding concerns.

“While supporting families living in poverty and with safeguarding concerns is important, the fact that it is now ranked so highly as a top priority for health visitors in England is significant.”

She said poverty can have a negative impact on child health, development and wellbeing, now and in the future, including their social circumstances, potentially leading them to be more likely to encounter homelessness or social isolation as well as mental health issues later.