2nd July 2025
The Institute of Health Visiting (iHV) proudly launches its new prestigious leadership programme for health visitors, The Dame Elizabeth Fradd Leadership Programme: iHV Fellows – starting in September 2025. Applications are now invited for this distinctive Programme which offers the only UK-wide fellowship training dedicated to investing in health visitor leadership.
This new Fellowship Programme has been made possible with thanks to the generous funding from the Dame Elizabeth Fradd Memorial Fund, overseen by the Worshipful Company of Needlemakers, the KPMG Foundation’s 25@25 special grants initiative, and the Institute of Health Visiting – with a 75% scholarship towards the programme fees awarded to all successful applicants.
Becoming a Fellow of the Institute of Health Visiting isn’t just a recognition of your achievements and potential, or an opportunity for further personal development as a leader – it’s an invitation to join a vibrant Fellows’ community of changemakers, and aspirational health visiting leaders from across the UK. Are you ready to “make waves” and lead health visiting now, and in the future? Our iHV Fellows Programme will support you to step-up to leadership practices that seek solutions, work across boundaries, and support team talent.
Read more about The Dame Elizabeth Fradd Leadership Programme: iHV Fellows here.
This Programme has been developed in partnership with a wide range of stakeholders who share a vision of strong health visitor leadership, focused on supporting the wider workforce and its responsibility to babies, children, families, and communities. While it invests in individuals, the Programme’s aim is to strengthen collaborative leadership across the system. Fellows will remain based in their home organisations and will design development plans tailored to their organisation’s current and future needs.
By joining the Programme, candidates will be supported to build confidence and leadership capability with three programme phases focused on: “Understanding my potential”, “Equipping myself” and “Realising my ambition”. Candidates will meet inspirational national leaders and have opportunities to develop their voice as advocates for the profession.
The 12-month Fellowship Programme will include a number of in-person workshops (including 2 days residential), online sessions and guided study exercises. There will be opportunities for coaching, mentorship, shadowing and skills development. Time will be given to explore personal capabilities and development plans, as well as expanding knowledge and skills for shaping policy and infrastructure for health visiting.
Alison Morton, CEO iHV, said:
“This year marks 10 years since the first iHV Fellowship Programme and I am delighted that we are once again able to offer this fantastic opportunity to aspirational health visiting leaders across the UK.
“As one of the first Fellows of the iHV, being amongst like-minded leaders inspired me to aim higher, dream bigger and push for excellence in health visiting with a clarity of vision focused on the babies, children, families and communities that are at the heart of the work we do – it really was a turning point in my own career.
“In a changing world, we need strong health visiting leaders more than ever to lead our profession now, and in the future – if you are a changemaker and want to develop yourself, learn from others and be part of shaping the future of health visiting, I strongly encourage you to apply!”
Duncan Burton, Chief Nursing Officer for England, said:
“Strong and visionary leadership across health visiting is crucial to improve outcomes for babies, children and families, and in helping to ensure that every child has the best start in life.
“This Programme is a great opportunity for existing and aspiring leaders to enhance their leadership skills, collaborate across systems and advocate for excellence in practice. I encourage colleagues to apply and look forward to meeting those on the Programme later this year.”
