iHV highlights the importance of health visiting at Parliamentary early years event

17th April 2026

The Institute of Health Visiting (iHV) welcomed the opportunity to champion the role of health visiting in giving every child the best start in life at a Parliamentary event on Wednesday 15 April, held at the Houses of Parliament. Being a voice for babies, children and families – and the health visiting services that support them – is a key role of the iHV.

Alison Morton, iHV CEO, and Nikki Freeman, iHV Fellowship Scholar and Health Visitor Clinical Lead for SEND at Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust, spoke at the event which was hosted by the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Children and focused on ‘Giving Every Child the Best Start: Evidence and Priorities for the Early Years’.

Chaired by Jess Asato MP, this event was particularly significant as it brought together three APPGs with a shared focus on early years: the APPG for Children, the APPG for Babies, and the APPG for Family Hubs. In the spirit of collaboration and supporting improved integration across services, the groups came together to examine the evidence, policy and practice needed to truly deliver integrated joined-up care for babies, children and families in the early years.

The timing of the event was especially relevant, taking place against the backdrop of the Education Select Committee’s inquiry into early years provision, the planned expansion of Family Hubs, and the recent publication of the updated Healthy Child Programme.

In her presentation, Alison Morton highlighted the growing pressures facing families and the importance of health visiting within an integrated early years system of care and support – reaching all families, working with complexity and acting as vital connectors within the system. Alison welcomed the publication of the new Healthy Child Programme – a clear policy blueprint which sets out the quality of health visiting support that the government expects families to receive – stating that this was exactly the type of care that health visitors wanted to deliver! Alison called for urgent investment in health visiting from the Department of Health and Social Care and a ring-fenced public health grant to turn this vision into reality – this will be essential to rebuild the health visitor workforce, support integrated care and end the postcode lottery of support that families currently face.  Alison then handed over to Nikki Freeman, who brought these messages to life from a frontline perspective.

For Nikki, the event represented her maiden presentation in Parliament – an opportunity made possible as part of her personal development plan as an iHV Fellowship Scholar. Nikki did herself and the profession proud. She spoke with confidence, compassion and clarity – presenting on the reality of family life that she witnesses every day through her work. Families living with multiple and complex needs, many affected by poverty, social isolation and special educational needs and disabilities, which can create obstacles to accessing care and support. Nikki described her highly skilled work, building relationships with families, meeting them where they are – alongside the complexities of ensuring that care is personalised, responsive to their changing needs and rooted in evidence – rather than a ‘one size fits all!’. Everyone was captivated by Nikki’s presentation, with some saying that it brought them to tears. Nikki was brilliant – a true advocate for families and the profession.

Both presentations attracted lots of questions on health visiting from parliamentarians – which is always a good sign. Most importantly, there was unanimous support for the importance of investing in health visiting to support babies, children and families – with many sharing accounts of the positive difference that their health visitors had made to them personally (it may have been you, reading this today  – be encouraged).

Commenting on her experience, Nikki said:

“Taking part in the All-Party Committee for Children, Babies and Family Hubs was an incredible experience and a real privilege. Although I felt nervous, the positive response on the day reinforced how important it is for frontline voices to be heard at a national level. Drawing on my learning through the Fellowship, alongside Alison’s supportive guidance, made a real difference to my confidence and helped me contribute meaningfully to such an important conversation. It’s an experience that will stay with me and has been a defining moment in my professional journey, giving me the confidence to keep speaking up for health visiting and the families at the heart of our work.”

More information: All-Party Parliamentary Groups play a vital role in influencing national policy, bringing together MPs and peers from across the political spectrum, alongside expert speakers and key stakeholders. They provide a valuable cross-party forum for learning, discussion and raising awareness on priority issues.

This joint APPG, chaired by the APPG for Children, included speaker presentations on Family Hubs, school readiness, health visiting, childcare workforce and perinatal loneliness – with key stakeholders and experts presenting evidence alongside the iHV, (including the Parent-Infant Foundation, Spurgeons, National Children’s Bureau, Early Education and Childcare Coalition, University of Middlesex and University of York).

To read more about the iHV’s work to influence national policy, see our latest Annual Report.