iHV Leadership Conference: Leading Health Visiting: Creating the future

On Wednesday 3 December 2025, we came together as a health visiting community for the annual iHV Leadership Conference “Leading Health Visiting: Creating the future”. And what an unforgettable day it turned out to be! From start to finish, the atmosphere was filled with warmth and excitement – there is something truly special about gathering as one health visiting family from every corner of the UK.

Held at The King’s Fund in London, our conference brought together a packed room of in-person delegates, speakers, partners, exhibitors and many more delegates joining online.

It was an honour and a privilege to welcome such high profile and eminent speakers to our conference, who all took time out of their busy schedules to join with us and focus on driving change through health visiting. They all shared powerful messages, with a strong focus on relational and compassionate care, the power of ‘really listening’ to families and nurturing our workforce.

Our programme focused on four pillars of leading change:

Getting it right from the start – better services by design
Leading health visiting policy across the UK – with four nations CNO/CMidO panel
Workforce matters
A focus on child development – supporting all children to thrive

The conference was packed with many memorable moments; here are just a few examples (there are too many to mention all of them!):

Alison Morton, iHV CEO, opened our conference with a keynote on leading – “Together in hope and together in action”. Alison spoke about the importance of prioritising people and how we must be a voice for children and push for lasting change – not sticking plasters. Alison thanked health visitors for the great work that is being done in health visiting across the UK – with a message that “the future is here, it’s just not everywhere”, and a call for courageous leadership to learn from the past and build a better future.
Alison Morton, iHV CEO, at iHV Leadership Conference 2025
Dr Clea Harmer, CEO, Sands, spoke about the importance of ending racial inequalities in maternity and neonatal care, sharing very sobering data – “If, in the four years between 2017-2021, stillbirth and neonatal death rates for Black and Asian babies had been the same as for white babies – 1,704 babies would have survived”. Clea compassionately and sensitively explored why these inequalities persist, drawing on insights and learning from bereaved Black and Asian parents through the Sands Listening Project.
Dr Clea Harmer, CEO, Sands, presenting the Sands Listening Project at iHV Leadership Conference 2025

We also heard from Lauren and Toni (iHV parent panel members) who shared powerful testimonies. They recognised that their ‘voice’ as parents mattered – and now they are using it to drive positive change at a national level. They urged health visitors to truly listen to families.
iHV’s Georgina Mayes chats with parents Lauren and Toni
In our second keynote session “Leading health visiting policy across the UK”, we were privileged to be joined by our national leaders, from all four UK nations – with representatives from the Chief Nursing Officers (CNO) and Chief Midwifery Officers (CMidO) presenting updates from their nation. The session concluded with a panel discussion and some powerful questions from delegates, including calling for urgent action to stop ongoing cuts and strengthen health visiting in England.
Chief Nursing Officers (CNO) and Chief Midwifery Officers (CMidO) panel
During our third keynote session, we focused on prioritising “our people” – workforce is key to everything that we do. Amongst the stellar line-up, Sally Hogg, from The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood, spoke about the work of The Centre – and how health visitors are the “magic ingredient” to enabling all babies and young children to have the nurturing relationships they need. We also heard from Mary Donnelly – iHV Student Award winner 2025 – who captivated the audience with her excellent presentation on her work to improve care and support for families with no recourse to public funds – a great example of leadership in action!
Sally Hogg, The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood, sharing the work of The Centre

Mary Donnelly – iHV Student Award winner 2025
In keynote four, we had some fantastic speakers, including Professor Sam Wass who presented his cutting-edge research on the impact of digital technology on early brain development. Sam is working with the iHV and others to make the science available for families and professionals – in support of this, we plan to make Sam’s presentation available on our website (coming soon!!)
Professor Sam Wass presenting at iHV Leadership 2025
The inspirational Guddi Singh closed our conference by reminding us that justice begins at the doorstep – and health visitors see the true story of child health in this country. Seeing the whole story is a clinical act, that requires a response – and that health is built through relationships as much as through systems.
Dr Guddi Singh presenting at iHV Leadership Conference 2025

You can read full details of the conference programme here.

The feedback we have received so far from our conference is overwhelmingly positive and inspiring, with many delegates sharing what they liked most about our conference:

“All of it. Great range of presentations, and key note speakers. I think possibly the best iHV conference to date!”

“The atmosphere was so welcoming, supportive, and personable from the moment we walked in. I loved the interactive discussions and the enthusiasm for sharing learning across the profession. I left feeling completely inspired by both the speakers, and by the passion and kindness that was so evident in the actions of those from the iHV who were present and organised the conference.”

“I thought the speakers and topics were excellent; covered topics which are applicable to practice which were evidence based and pitched to a level where everyone understood and could come away with advice to offer families.”

“The passion and enthusiasm for our profession and the wellbeing of children. Political views and real-life experience was a great blend.”

“This was the first leadership conference that I had attended. It was very inspiring from the start, all the presentations were thought-provoking and inspiring, and validated the work of the health visiting service.”

We would like to extend a huge heartfelt thank you to all our delegates, inspiring speakers, exhibitors and to Digital Health Transformation Service for their generous support as lead partners of our event – without whom this conference would not have been possible.

If you enjoyed our Leadership conference or would love to attend one of our conferences in the future, please consider joining us on 6 May 2026 for our Evidence-based Practice conference at Bournemouth International Centre. Look out for the launch in January – we would love to see you there!

See some conference photos:

iHV announces SCPHN Student HV and SCPHN Lecturer Award winners

Celebrating Excellence in Health Visiting – iHV announces the SCPHN Student Health Visitor and SCPHN Lecturer Award winners 2025

The Institute of Health Visiting is proud to announce the winners of the 2025 SCPHN Student Health Visitor Award and the SCPHN Lecturer Award!

These prestigious Awards honour outstanding contributions to health visiting — recognising both the dedication of students embarking on their professional journey and the inspirational educators guiding them.

The iHV SCPHN Student Health Visitor Award 2025 is awarded to students whose service innovations demonstrate leadership in action to strengthen the quality of service provision for babies, children and families.

We recognise how studying to become a registered SCPHN health visitor can be exciting, daunting and challenging. However, the commitment to improve outcomes for babies, children and families acts as an important drive during what can be the most demanding period of a health visitor’s career. The contribution that student health visitors make is really incredible.

It gives us great pleasure to announce this year’s award winners of the iHV SCPHN Student Health Visitor Award 2025.

Huge congratulations to:

1^st place – Mary Donnelly, Ulster University
2^nd place – Olivia Farley, Manchester Metropolitan University
3^rd place – Mel Hanson, University of Derby

Thank you to all those who submitted to the Award. The judging panel enjoyed reading all submissions, which were of a high quality. We extend our thanks to 2023 – 3^rd place runner up, Robin Williams, for joining the panel of judges again this year.

The iHV SCPHN Lecturer Award 2025 is awarded to a lecturer who has demonstrated exceptional leadership in strengthening the quality of education provision for SCPHN health visiting students.

It gives us great pleasure to announce that this year’s award has gone to:

Jennifer Kirman, Associate Professor and SCPHN health visiting and school nursing lead at Oxford Brookes University.

Jennifer Kirman, Mary Donnelly and Mary’s practice assessor have been awarded complimentary tickets to the iHV Leadership Conference on 3 December in London where they will present their work and receive their Awards.

Find out more about the iHV Leadership Conference and book your place

Read on to find out how the Awards winners reacted to the news of winning an Award and what it means to them:

Mary Donnelly, student at Ulster University – 1^st place

Mary Donnelly

” I am absolutely delighted to have received the Award – it still feels surreal! My work highlighting health risks for migrant families has shown me how vital the SCPHN role is in supporting vulnerable communities. I hope this recognition provides a platform to raise further awareness of these needs. I’m so grateful to my assessor for reminding me that students can drive meaningful change, and I’m really looking forward to attending the iHV Leadership Conference to learn from others and celebrate the difference we can make together!”

Wendy Mallon, Lecturer and Course Director for the SCPHN Pathways, Ulster University

Wendy Mallon

“I am delighted that Mary has been awarded first prize in the iHV Student Awards. Mary has demonstrated a commitment, passion and innovation in SCPHN practice and her academic studies over the duration of the programme. She is displaying leadership skills and specialist knowledge in identifying children and families who are among the most vulnerable in communities in order to address health inequalities and improve health outcomes. Well done Mary.”

Olivia Farley, student at Manchester Metropolitan University – 2^nd place

Olivia Farley

“Hearing that I had been awarded second place for the Student Health Visitor iHV Award was an incredibly proud and humbling moment. This recognition means so much to me, it reflects my commitment to evidence-based practice, compassionate family support, and the values that underpin the role. It has strengthened my determination to continue advocating for children and families, and to contribute meaningfully to our profession as I progress in my career.”

Mel Hanson, student at the University of Derby – 3^rd place

Mel Hanson

“I was truly honoured and humbled to have been recognised with an Institute of Health Visiting Student SCPHN award for my work in promoting equitable care in health visiting. When I first heard the news, I was honestly overwhelmed, not just for myself, but for the families and communities who inspire this work every day. This recognition means so much because it reflects something bigger than me: the importance of making sure every baby, every parent, and every family receives fair, compassionate, and culturally responsive care.

To be acknowledged by the iHV in this way strengthens my commitment to continue advocating, educating, and pushing for systems where no one is overlooked or left behind. This is a moment I’ll treasure forever, and a reminder that when we lead with purpose, courage, and heart, real change happens.

Here’s to continuing the work to champion inclusion, ensuring every baby and family receive the care they deserve.”

Jennifer Kirman, Associate Professor, SCPHN health visiting and school nursing programme lead, Oxford Brookes University – iHV SCPHN Lecturer Award 2025

Jennifer Kirman

“I was overjoyed when I received the email. I couldn’t quite believe that I had been awarded first prize. The changes I have made to the programme reflect the current context of the health-visiting workforce and post-pandemic higher education landscape. At a time when we need more health visitors, it is vital that the SCPHN programme is accessible to people who might feel unable to access higher education, given the time-consuming and costly nature of travel, as well as the need to manage study around caring responsibilities. I am delighted to have been recognised for this work to widen participation to our profession.”

Learn more about this year’s award winners and their amazing innovations in an iHV Voices blog due to be published at the end of November. Winners are also meeting with Amanda Holland, iHV’s Education, Learning and Development Lead, to record a special series of podcasts. More information on this coming soon.

We will soon be launching the iHV Awards 2026 – more information coming soon.

Call for iHV EBP 2025 abstracts now open!

Healthier Beginnings

Call for Abstracts

Want to be part of our fantastic conference next year?

Call for abstracts for iHV Evidence-based Practice Conference 2025 is now open!

Submit your abstract for our iHV Evidence-based Practice conference “Healthier Beginnings” which will be held at King’s House Conference Centre in Manchester on Thursday 8 May 2025.

With a new government and changes in nurse leadership across many UK nations, we are entering a new era for child and family health in the UK. With change, there is also opportunity – and as a profession, health visitors across the UK will be leading our profession into the future. We believe in the power of health visiting innovation, research, and evidence-based practices to create a brighter, healthier future for all babies, children and families – and the impact that we have is magnified when we come together and learn from each other.

Be part of our conference platform in 2025 – join local, national, and international experts and speakers and share your cutting-edge developments in health visiting practice, innovation and the latest research to address health inequalities and improve health outcomes for babies, children and families.

What are the benefits of presenting at the iHV conference?

It’s an excellent opportunity for you to:

Raise your own profile as a speaker at a UK-wide conference
Raise the profile of your organisation and showcase your work
Connect, collaborate and learn from other practitioners working in the field of health visiting and family public health
Add your experience of presenting to your CV and boost your career

Top-scoring abstract authors have the chance to present their work as a concurrent session speaker, or even a plenary talk in the main auditorium (you can indicate your preferences – allocation will depend on scoring and topic selection).

What are the presentation opportunities?

A short oral breakout session presentation
An oral concurrent presentation
A plenary keynote presentation

Abstract timeline:

Submissions: The abstract submission deadline is 7 October 2024.
Notifications: After an iHV peer-review process, participants will be informed of acceptance of abstracts for either oral keynote/concurrent presentation, or an oral breakout presentation, by 24 October 2024.

For further details and how to submit

We look forward to reading your abstracts and hearing about your practice innovations and research! Any questions – please email [email protected].