More of the same? Understanding ‘proportionate universalism’ in health visiting
Hear from Alison Lamont as she discusses emerging findings from an ongoing study of health visiting across England.
More of the same? Understanding ‘proportionate universalism’ in health visiting
05 Jun 2025, 12:00 – 13:00
Health visiting is a programme offered to all families in England with a child under five, and so, is considered a ‘universal’ service. Alongside the mandated five contacts that all families should be offered, health visitors may also offer (and families may ask for) further contacts to help with a wide range of issues.
This offer of extra support for those who need it reflects the call for ‘proportionate universalism’ in health interventions and greater health equity. But how does this proportional targeting works in practice for health visiting? How are targeted interventions operationalised in practice?
This seminar will share emerging findings from an ongoing framework analysis of interviews with 35 interviews from across three study sites in England. Interviews were held with parents, health visitors and their teams, and with public health commissioners, to gain a multi-level picture of how additional support for families facing adversity is imagined and enacted in practice.
This event will be particularly useful for researchers and policymakers.
Related links
- More about the project: Health visiting for families facing adversity
- Thomas Coram Research Unit (TCRU)
- Social Research Institute
Image
Emma Bauso via Pexels.
Alison is a qualitative sociologist. She has been at the Thomas Coram Research Unit since 2021, teaching and researching across a range of interests. She is currently working with Prof Jenny Woodman and colleagues on Health visiting for families facing adversity, a mixed method NIHR-funded study.
Further information
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