7th October 2026

Yesterday evening, health visitors, their teams, partners and distinguished guests gathered in London for our very special, inaugural iHV Health Visiting Awards 2026.  

The evening was a wonderful celebration of outstanding practice, innovation and leadership across health visiting – shining a spotlight on work that can often go unseen, but makes a profound difference to babies, children and families. What shone through was dedication, innovation and leadership across our wonderful profession, and the difference that health visitors and their teams continue to make in communities across the UK – often navigating significant pressures in the increasingly complex and changing health visiting landscape.

Last night was a powerful reminder of the incredible contribution being made every day by health visitors and their teams – and of the people and communities at the heart of everything they do.

We are immensely proud to celebrate them.

Among the evening’s most prestigious honours was the conferment of 21 new iHV Fellowships, together with awards for Health Visitor and Health Visiting Team of the Year, an Honorary Fellowship, and the Institute’s very special and inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award.  

The Dame Elizabeth Fradd iHV Fellow Awards  

Fellowship is one of the highest professional honours awarded by the Institute of Health Visiting, recognising health visitors who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, made a significant and sustained contribution to advancing the profession, and successfully completed the iHV Fellows Leadership Programme. Named in honour of Dame Elizabeth Fradd, one of the most influential health visitor and nursing leaders of modern times, the programme seeks to develop and inspire the next generation of leaders whose work will shape the future of the profession.

The Institute was delighted that the Fellowships were conferred by Professor Jamie Waterall OBE on behalf of Duncan Burton, Chief Nursing Officer for England – reflecting the importance of strong leadership in strengthening support for babies, children and families.

Professor Jamie Waterall OBE said:

“Health visitors change lives, giving babies, children and families the best possible start. Their expertise and impact deserves to be recognised and celebrated.”

The new Fellows join a distinguished community of leaders, innovators and advocates committed to championing excellence and shaping the future of health visiting across the UK. 

iHV Health Visiting Practice Awards 2026

The judges had the pleasure of reading a variety of submissions which demonstrated the talent, expertise, creativity and leadership displayed by health visitors and their teams across the UK. Examples of excellence ranged from individual action to influence policy, and innovative approaches to strengthen practice learning environments and improve support for families. There was evidence too of teamwork, developing workforce skills and driving innovation across a breadth of important public health priorities. 

iHV Health Visitor of the Year 2026

Following a rigorous judging process, we are delighted to announce that the Winner of the iHV Health Visitor of the Year 2026 award is Hayley Jones, Senior Nurse in Health Visiting within Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, Wales.

Hayley receives this richly deserved award for her leadership in developing and expanding the health visiting service delivery model across Wales, always keeping people at the heart of her work. Hayley was also a driving force behind ‘Health Visiting Week Wales’. The judges were particularly impressed by her ability to engage health visiting teams across Wales, her innovative use of digital resources and films to raise the profile of health visiting, and her rigorous approach to evidencing impact. Together, these achievements have delivered demonstrable benefits for babies, children and families and have helped strengthen the profile and influence of the profession.  

Two finalists also received Highly Commended awards:   

• Dionne Mellor, working at Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust, is recognised for her pioneering work developing support for fathers, particularly those from marginalised communities, and for the inspiration she provides to colleagues and families alike.  
• Diana Crump, from West Sussex Community NHS Trust, is recognised for her dedication to supporting healthy family relationships through the development and expansion of perinatal mental health support groups for mothers.  

iHV Health Visitor Team of the Year 2026

The title of iHV Health Visitor Team of the Year 2026 was awarded to the Hull 0-19 Health Team from Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust. 

The judging panel were impressed by the whole-system, innovative approach that the team has taken to improving breastfeeding rates within one of the most socially deprived communities in the UK. Taking a rigorous, multi-pronged approach that included staff training, working with local businesses on the Milk Trail, engaging children in schools and ensuring that families have access to expert support when they need it, the team has achieved impressive results. Their tenacity has helped to overcome obstacles, championed best practice, and ensure sustainability through strong evidence of impact and by generously sharing their learning with others. They are a shining example of excellence in health visiting.  

Highly Commended awards were also presented to two team finalists:  

• The Specialist Community Public Health Nurse SEND Team, Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust, is recognised for its rigorous and collaborative approach to ensuring joined-up, high-quality support for families with children with special educational needs and disabilities, while championing excellence both locally and nationally.  
• The Swindon Health Visiting Team, is recognised for its commitment to learning, quality improvement and person-centred care, including the development of innovative initiatives including the ‘Little Beanstalk’ programme to strengthen support for children and families with SEND.  

We know that these represent just a small snapshot of the great work that is taking place within health visiting across the UK. Congratulations to everyone who applied this year – we are proud of our profession and the many examples of dedicated individuals and teams turning evidence into action, giving hope to our profession and reminding us of the special contribution that health visiting makes to the lives of babies, children families and communities. 

iHV Honorary Fellow Award

The Institute was also delighted to confer an Honorary Fellowship on Professor Monica Lakhanpaul in recognition of her outstanding contribution to improving the lives of babies, children and families, and her support for health visiting and our work at the Institute. Over many years, the iHV has been privileged to work alongside Professor Lakhanpaul on shared priorities to improve outcomes for babies, children and families. A highly respected academic and passionate advocate, she is a powerful voice in tackling poverty, homelessness and health inequalities, while championing the difference that health visitors make to families every day. 

iHV Lifetime Achievement Award

One of the most moving moments of the night was the presentation of the Institute’s first-ever Lifetime Achievement Award to Professor Dame Sarah Cowley DBE, honouring the profound impact she has had on health visiting throughout an outstanding career spanning decades. 

Widely respected as one of the profession’s most influential voices, Dame Sarah has inspired generations of practitioners through her research, teaching, leadership and advocacy. Her tireless commitment to advancing health visiting, strengthening its evidence base and championing the needs of babies, children and families has helped shape the profession as it exists today. This award is a fitting tribute to a remarkable career dedicated to improving lives and advancing the health and wellbeing of future generations. 

Guests were also privileged to watch a very special short film featuring tributes from just a few of the many people who have worked with, learned from, and been inspired by Dame Sarah throughout her distinguished career (as so many weren’t able to join the celebrations and thank Sarah personally – we would have needed the Albert Hall!). The film offered a glimpse into the extraordinary impact of her work, capturing in their own words the difference she has made to countless health visitors and, through them, to millions of babies, children and families worldwide.

Following the presentation, Dame Sarah gave a short address, sharing reflections from her remarkable career and words of encouragement for the next generation of health visitors, receiving a warm and enthusiastic response from guests.

Sarah, we hope you know how special you are to all of us in the global family of health visitors and public health nurses.

Watch our short film of tributes to Professor Dame Sarah Cowley DBE:

Selection of photos from the evening: