Cumberland Council has announced a major improvement in early years health services, with more than nine in ten children now receiving a key developmental check — placing the area above the national average.
Under the national 0–19 Healthy Child Programme, councils have a statutory duty to ensure every child receives five health visitor contacts between birth and age five. One of the most important of these is the 2 to 2½ year developmental review, which supports early identification of issues with speech, language, emotional wellbeing and development.
At the start of 2025, performance in Cumberland was well below expected standards, with only around 50% of eligible children receiving this vital check.
Following decisive action by the council, that picture has been transformed.
By the end of March 2026, 93% of children in Cumberland were receiving their 2 to 2½ year check, significantly exceeding both the national expectation of 90% and the current national average of around 75–80%.
This improvement follows the recommissioning of the 0–19 service, with Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust taking on delivery from April 2025. Since then, the service has undergone a major transformation, including improved outreach to families, stronger leadership and performance oversight, and a renewed focus on early intervention and prevention.
Cllr Justin McDermott, Portfolio Holder for Public Health and Communities, said: “This is a significant success for children, families and public health in Cumberland. Just a year ago, only one in two children were receiving this crucial check — that was simply not good enough.
“Since then, Cumberland Council has worked closely with Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust, to drive improvements. Together, we are not only meeting national expectations, we are now exceeding them.”
“This is what effective commissioning and strong partnerships achieve. It means more children are identified early, more families receive the support they need, and more young people are better prepared as they move into education and beyond.”
Carly Dodsworth, Head of Public Health Nursing and Operations for Cumberland 0-19 Service at Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Our teams have worked hard to improve contact with families and prioritise those who might otherwise miss out. The result is more children being seen on time, with earlier support in place where it’s needed most.
“We’re proud of this progress, but we’re equally focused on sustaining it - making sure every child in Cumberland continues to get the right support at the right time.”
The 2 to 2½ year check is a critical milestone in a child’s early development. Identifying challenges early helps prevent problems escalating later in life, reducing inequalities and improving long‑term outcomes.
The council has also paid tribute to the teams behind the improvement, including local public health staff, health visitors and frontline professionals whose work has made this progress possible.
The achievement reflects Cumberland Council’s continued commitment to reducing health inequalities, improving life chances, and ensuring every child gets the best possible start in life.