Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
Woodhouse Lane,
LS1 3HE
How to become a health visitor
Make a difference to the lives of young children and give them the best start in life.
What is a health visitor?
As a health visitor, you'll identify health or developmental needs, promote health and wellbeing, and work to reduce inequality by ensuring that all children receive the same level of support.
You will work with families with young children, and may also work with at-risk groups such as the homeless or those suffering from addictions. Most of your time will be spent in the community visiting families in their home environment.
What qualifications do you need to be a health visitor?
To become a health visitor, you must be a qualified and registered nurse or midwife and typically have at least two years post-registration experience.
You’ll then undertake an approved training programme in Specialist Community Public Health Nursing - Health Visiting (SCPHN - HV).
Undergraduate degrees – you need a BSc in nursing or midwifery in order to apply for the SCPHN – HV course. Nursing and midwifery degrees are usually over three or four years, although those with a relevant science-based degree can access a shortened two-year course.
Postgraduate studies – the MSc SCPHN - HV course is usually a one-year full time course, split between university and work experience under the supervision of a range of experienced practitioners. The course can also be part time over two years. You’ll need to be sponsored or seconded by your placement provider, who will also need to provide a community practice assessor and supervisor.
What does a health visitor do?
As a health visitor you’ll spend most of your day visiting families in their own homes.
You’ll provide practical care, advice on challenges they’re facing, information on clinics and local groups, co-ordination of immunisation activity and support on issues with hygiene, safety, feeding and sleep. You might also work with at-risk groups to provide advice on addiction, bereavement and mental illness.
You’ll support families, with advice and practical support around breast feeding, sleep patterns for babies and parents, safer sleep guidance and the importance of hygiene for newborns. You’ll monitor a baby’s overall health, weight and environment and support parents suffering from post-natal depression.
Later, focus will be given to infant nutrition, growth, development and early speech and communications skills. You’ll support parents to avoid childhood obesity through healthy nutrition and appropriate behaviours. Early identification of any potential development needs around speech, language and communication is critical to ensure that specialist help can be offered at the earliest opportunity.
If you become a health visitor, your typical day to day tasks will include:
- Assessing babies and infants at various ages and stages of development
- Identifying issues, writing reports and recommending actions for parents
- Providing practical support around breast feeding, nutrition, toilet training and behaviours
- Identifying children who may potentially be at risk and following up with social care
- Supporting preparedness and registration for nursery care and school
Becoming a health visitor could be for you if…
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You care
Being a health visitor is as much a vocation as a career, so it’s important that you’re in the role because you genuinely care about outcomes for children and families.
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You’ll fight for what’s right
You’ll be faced with difficult and distressing situations, where you’ll need to stay strong and challenge parents’ behaviours for the benefit of the children under your care.
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You can connect with people
Being able to communicate with children, parents and other health and social care professionals is key to ensuring that children get the best start in life.
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You’re organised
You’ll be responsible for many families at any one time, all with children at different stages of development and with different needs, you’ll have many ongoing activities.
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You understand people
You’ll often work with families who find themselves in difficult situations which might be unfamiliar to you, so an ability to understand how they feel is self-evident.
What are the typical working hours for a health visitor?
You’ll usually work regular 37.5 hour weeks, but longer hours and unsociable hours might be required under some circumstances.
Health visitors generally work within the NHS in roles within bands 6 & 7:
- Band 6 - starting at £33,706, rising to £40,588 after a minimum of five years
- Band 7 - for specialist and senior roles starting at £41,659, rising to £47,672 after a minimum of five years
