29th October 2025

The Dame Elizabeth Fradd Leadership Programme: iHV Fellows – off to a flying start

The Institute of Health Visiting (iHV) has identified 24 exceptional health visitors ready to pursue excellence in leadership. Each has been successful in securing a scholarship to join The Dame Elizabeth Fradd Leadership Programme: iHV Fellows. This bespoke 12-month programme for health visitors started this month with a lively first day in London, bringing together health visitor talent from England, Wales and Northern Ireland. 

The Fellows candidates have commenced a three-phase journey of personal and professional development aimed at propelling leadership potential – and strengthening health visiting leadership for our profession, now and in the future. 

In developing as iHV Fellows, the candidates are required to evidence a commitment to self-awareness, a vision for the future, and the ability to motivate and empower others to achieve shared goals. During the programme, the candidates will have the opportunity to hear from and meet a range of leaders responsible for programmes of policy, practice, research or education that impact on the lives of babies, children and families.

As a prelude to the programme, the Fellows candidates met Professor Dame Sarah Cowley, iHV Trustee, who explained the historical path of health visitor regulation, the background to the Institute, and the imperative to grasp opportunities as part of new legislative reforms for UK-regulated health and care professionals.  

When meeting for the first time in person, candidates were welcomed by Alison Morton, CEO at the iHV. In exploring how to contribute and make a difference as a leader, Alison provided guidance on ‘putting people first, driving change with evidence and optimising the talents of those who know how to get the best results’.  

The message to act and bring to bear health visitor knowledge and expertise was continued in the presentation delivered by Professor Jamie Waterall, Chief Public Health Nurse, OHID. Professor Waterall provided an overview of national priorities for health leadership. He encouraged candidates to join conversations that shape strategies for nursing and midwifery, and remember the ‘reach of health visiting’ within communities as a public health asset.  

Professor Jamie Waterall said:

“This is a fantastic programme, building vital public health leadership capacity and capability across our systems! Great discussion and good luck to everyone completing the programme.”

The development of the iHV Fellows Programme has been generously supported by the KPMG Foundation as part of their 25@25 special grants initiative. Kevin Munday, CEO at KPMG Foundation, also joined to congratulate the  candidates on achieving their scholarships and to wish them well as they progress through the programme. Kevin heard from the candidates who shared examples of their work across multi-agency contexts to deliver impactful change for children and families. 

In addition to hearing from inspirational speakers, the candidates worked together to examine existing values, beliefs and experiences that inform their approaches to leadership. The room was filled with energetic discussion as they considered their ‘social graces’ and the power differentials at play within personal and professional lives. Importantly, they considered the opportunities and talents that can be missed within teams if ‘social graces’ go unvoiced and unseen.  

The next steps will be participation in a two-day residential, where candidates will be able to get to the heart of how to communicate their message in different situations, to reveal and offer their best selves to achieve positive change.  

In reflecting on their first day, candidates expressed feeling energised and excited: 

“As the only commissioner on the programme,  I’m finding the new Fellows leadership journey inspiring, informative and motivating. It’s offering me opportunities to network with provider leads and academics as well as learn about the latest policies and political direction. This is an exciting time to be in Public Heath Nursing and I’m looking forward to the experience the next 11 months will be.”
(Clare Slater-Robins, Fellows Candidate) 

“I came home energised and hopeful. Sometimes challenges on the ground are difficult but I have new ideas to try for capturing data – I’m very grateful I was accepted onto the Fellows Programme.”
(Lucy Taylor, Fellows Candidate) 

“Lots of food for thought with strategies to support and guide reflections. Wonderful to meet everyone face-to-face – such an amazing and inspiring group of leaders. An exciting year ahead!”
(Amanda Holland, Fellows Candidate)