iHV welcomes new Director to lead learning and development

This month, we are delighted to welcome Dr Michelle Moseley as the Institute of Health Visiting’s new Director for our Learning and Development department. Michelle will succeed Philippa Bishop who has skilfully led our learning and development work at the iHV for over ten years. Michelle takes up her position on 30 April 2025, with a short handover period with Philippa, following a national recruitment process.

Michelle is an experienced health visitor, educator, researcher and leader with an extensive career that spans several senior roles in the NHS, higher education and within national professional bodies.

Dr Michelle Moseley

Responding to her appointment and her new role ahead, Michelle said:

“I am thrilled to be joining the Institute of Health Visiting as Director of Programmes (Learning and Development). I have been a health visitor for the last 22 years having undertaken many roles since qualification – and in all of them, my guiding principle is to ensure that the babies, children, young people, families and communities that we serve sit at the centre of my practice.

“My roles have been varied since qualifying as a health visitor and have included being a lead nurse in safeguarding children, nurse educator leading the SCPHN programme and a variety of other roles at Cardiff University. In more recent years, I have worked at the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) Wales, as Education and Lifelong Learning Advisor and, most recently, at the RCN as Head of the King’s Nursing Cadets. I have recently completed my PhD which focused on evaluating the supportive nature of safeguarding supervision in health visiting practice. My PhD study recommends taking a person-centred focus to allow health visitors to be supported in the most challenging safeguarding practice situations.

“Never more has the voice of health visiting been required. I see the Institute of Health Visiting enhancing and enabling the voice of the health visitor in strengthening the quality and consistency of health visiting for the benefit of all babies, children, families and communities. Last year, the Darzi report recognised the poor state of child health and the NHS in England. This cannot be ignored – and requires health visiting to play its fullest part to improve health and reduce inequalities, especially when the 10-year health plan recommends a shift of service to more local care provision with an emphasis on early intervention and prevention. This is a key moment for health visiting and public health nursing.

“I am extremely passionate about the role of the health visitor, its future and impact on society as a whole. As I embark on this new career path as Director of Programmes at the Institute of Health Visiting, I aim to join them in becoming a leading voice not only for health visitors but more importantly, for the babies, children, families and communities at the centre of their practice.”

Alison Morton, iHV CEO said:

“We are delighted to appoint Michelle as our new Director and look forward to seeing the iHV’s learning and development programmes go from strength to strength. Michelle is passionate about ensuring that all health visiting practitioners are equipped to provide the highest standards of care to babies, children, families and communities – and has already achieved so much in her career so far.

“The whole team at the iHV and Board of Trustees would also like to thank Philippa Bishop who has skilfully led our learning and development portfolio of work over the last ten years. During this time, the iHV has grown considerably, and our learning and development offer has increased from a small handful of training courses in 2014, to the leading centre of excellence for health visiting continuous professional development that it is today. It is with sadness that we say goodbye to Philippa, but she should be proud of all that she has achieved. We thank Philippa for everything that she has given to the iHV, we have all benefitted from her leadership, passion, kindness and dedication, and we wish her every happiness and health in the years ahead.”

Philippa Bishop

Philippa Bishop said:

“It is almost 11 years since I joined the Institute of Health Visiting, initially as a Project Manager for the Making the Most of Health Visiting programme back in 2014. So much has happened in the years since, both professionally and personally. The iHV has grown to become a nationally recognised provider of training for health visitors and the wider multi-agency workforce across a range of subjects. It has been a privilege to lead the department, working alongside the excellent iHV team with its energetic facilitators, partnering with some brilliant experts and courageous lived experience practitioners. I am sad to be leaving the iHV family but delighted to hand the baton of the learning and development workstream to Michelle, enabling me to step back from work and step up my focus on my own family and their needs at this time.”

New career opportunity to join iHV as Director of Programmes (Learning and Development)

The iHV is currently at an exciting point in its growth, as it seeks to expand its learning and development portfolio. We are seeking an operational and people-focused Director of Programmes (Learning and Development) to join our Executive team. With a growing membership, we’re an optimistic organisation and we can see a brighter future ahead. This role provides a unique opportunity to join us and be part of the journey as we seek to strengthen health visiting across the UK and improve outcomes for the babies, children, families and communities that we serve.

You will lead the Learning and Development team and play a key role in developing our portfolio of programmes, as well as being instrumental in shaping our vision and strategy for the future. Working with colleagues from across the iHV, as well as external partners, you will drive the development and delivery of high-quality, impactful learning programmes that transform practitioners’ potential to improve health visiting.

Our current learning and development portfolio supports a wide range of health visiting and multi-agency practitioners at different stages of their career journey – from training on key public health priority topics, to bespoke leadership programmes – there is lots of variety and an abundance of potential to develop this in the future. This is a varied and demanding role that will put you at the forefront of ensuring that practitioners have the learning and development opportunities that they need to thrive in their health visiting careers.

We are looking for a very special person to join our small but mighty team, all focused on turning our mission into reality. To join us, you’ll need significant leadership and management experience and proven skills in the development, delivery and evaluation of learning programmes, with excellent project management skills, including managing human and financial resources. We are looking for someone who has personal drive for excellence and the willingness to think strategically, embrace change and innovation, and with sound business acumen.

You will be joining our organisation at an exciting time as we look to review our business strategy in 2025 to ensure that the iHV remains in a strong position now, and in the future. Is this the opportunity you’ve been waiting for?

What We Offer:

The chance to work in a leading charity and professional body for health visiting and make a significant impact on the health visiting profession and its work to improve health outcomes for babies, children, families, and communities.
A dynamic and supportive work environment – working with a team of people who are genuinely committed to our charity’s core mission and values, and making the iHV a ‘great place to work’.
Opportunities for professional development.
Hybrid and flexible working – With a hot desk in London and an office nestled on the south coast, we can offer a range of flexible working options including home-based and hybrid. This post will require some UK travel.
Holiday – 25 days annual leave, plus bank holidays (increasing to 30 days leave after 2 years employment at the iHV – pro rata for part-time staff).
Workplace pensions – the iHV has a generous organisation pension scheme, with 10% employer contribution and a personalised employee contribution to suit your needs.
Team Away Days – We gather together as a whole team once a year for our 2-day awayday, and at regular intervals online and at our conferences throughout the year. We value our time together as a team to celebrate the work that we have done, learn together, share ideas and constantly look for ways to improve what we do for the benefit of the people that we serve – with a mix of work and fun to build relationships and connections across our organisation.

Applications close: 9am Monday 20 January 2025
First Interviews: 22 or 24 January 2025 – hold the dates

For further details and how to apply

Read our latest annual report to find out more about iHV

iHV Founding Director retires after 40 years in the health visiting profession

Dr Cheryll Adams CBE steps back nine years after founding the Institute of Health Visiting

Dr Cheryll Adams CBE, Founding Director of the Institute of Health Visiting (iHV), retires today after 40 years working in the health visiting profession.

Dr Cheryll Adams CBE, Founding Director at the Institute of Health Visiting

Dr Adams spent three decades working as a health visitor and in research and policy, before launching the Institute in 2012. She established the Institute of Health Visiting with three academic colleagues, with a vision to improve the research base for the health visiting profession – and to promote the value of health visiting for improving children’s lives.

Since its launch in 2012, the Institute has enjoyed many successes, including developing a portfolio of highly respected, award-winning evidence-based training programmes; hosting regular conferences; producing many new products and publications to support the health visiting profession, as well as practice development resources; and, of particular note, are its academic programmes focused on perinatal and infant mental health, language development, nutrition, and leadership.

Entirely self-funded since day one, the Institute has become a respected and valued voice nationally for health visiting, as well as for babies and young families. The iHV’s reach is now both UK-wide and global, enjoying a wide range of effective partnerships across the sector.

Commenting on her retirement, Dr Adams said:

“I am very proud of all that we have achieved with the Institute over the past nine years. I am particularly pleased that so many health visitors have benefitted from our programmes. Starting out, many said that it was over-ambitious to set up a new professional body during a recession. Yet, with drive, determination and invaluable support, it worked out and the Institute has now developed a firm foundation to take forward its many work streams and strengthen health visiting practice into the future.

“’The health visiting role is such an important one. It literally changes the life course of many infants and their families. As such, with proper investment, health visiting has the power to ultimately change society for the better.”

Dr Adams added:

“Following the launch of the Leadsom Early Years Healthy Development Review last week, I feel confident that we will soon have a new policy platform from which to deliver desperately-needed investment into health visiting. The iHV will work closely with government to ensure that this happens, under the very able leadership of the Institute’s acting Executive Director, Alison Morton.

“Although I am retiring today, I will stay close to the work of the Institute, providing on-going advice as needed. I look forward to watching the Institute move forwards into its next exciting stage of development.”

Pamela Goldberg OBE, Chair of the iHV’s Board of Trustees, said:

“The Institute of Health Visiting, health visitors, and families across the UK owe a huge debt to Cheryll for the inspiration she has provided through her establishment of the Institute. She leaves it today in a stable position and in very capable hands. We wish her every enjoyment in her new chapter.”

Institute of Health Visiting transitions to new leadership

Outgoing CEO says: “Government must invest in rebuilding health visiting profession.”

The Institute of Health Visiting (iHV) is preparing to welcome a new Executive Director. Eight years after launching the charity and academic body, iHV’s current Executive Director, Dr Cheryll Adams CBE, will step back in January 2021.

Stepping into her role is the Institute’s current Director of Policy and Quality, Alison Morton, who will become Acting Executive Director until the post is advertised during 2021. Dr Adams will remain with the iHV working part time, taking the title of Founding Director. Until the end of March 2021, Dr Adams will support Ms Morton’s transition into the role, and will continue to support the Institute with project work thereafter.

Dr Cheryll Adams CBE, outgoing Executive Director of iHV

In stepping back, Dr Adams had a strong message about her ongoing hopes for the profession, saying:

“My outstanding hope is that the government will take urgent action to rebuild this amazing profession in England. There are 30% less health visitors working in England today than there were five years ago, unlike in the rest of the UK where the profession is being strengthened. New investment is desperately needed to reverse this.”

She added:

“Health visitors work quietly and professionally with families to provide a safety net for all babies and pre-school children. They turn children’s lives around, providing them with brighter futures and, in so doing, help to reduce the impact of health inequalities for all of us.”

The iHV was launched in 2012 to strengthen the services which health visitors provide to parents, and for supporting health visitors in their challenging role on the frontline of preventative healthcare.

Over the last eight years, the Institute has enjoyed many successes, including developing a portfolio of highly-respected award-winning training programmes, regular conferences, and many new products and publications supporting the profession and practice development. Particular strengths have been its work programmes around perinatal and infant mental health, language development and nutrition. The iHV’s reach is now both UK-wide and global and it has a wide range of effective partnerships with others in the sector. Entirely self-funded since day one, the Institute has become a respected and valued voice nationally for health visiting, as well as for babies and young families.

Dr Adams, who founded the Institute, was awarded a CBE in 2016 for her services to health visiting. In announcing the iHV’s upcoming leadership change, she said:

“It is important to know when to step back and this is the time. I have spent 10 years setting up, launching and running the Institute and I couldn’t be prouder of what we have achieved so far. My team is strong and successful, and the Institute has become the go-to academic body for health visiting. I have total faith that the Institute has a bright future.”

Pamela Goldberg OBE, Chair of Trustees at the iHV, said of the organisation’s new Acting Executive Director:

“I have complete confidence in Alison to take the Institute into its next phase of development and, with Cheryll, look forward to supporting her transition into this new role. “

Dr Adams added:

“In the time she has been with us, Alison has more than proved her commitment and passion to the health visiting profession – an essential trait for the organisation’s next leader. Alison has real vision, talent and energy and I will enjoy watching that being translated into action.”

Alison Morton, Acting Executive Director, iHV

In conclusion, Dr Adams said:

“The Institute is now a well-established entity with a strong vision at its core. This has only been strengthened by the impacts of COVID-19, which has required us to adopt new ways of working in order to continue our activities and serve the profession and families during this challenging period.

“The impact of COVID-19 on young families has been immense. It has also shone a light on just how essential the health visiting service is – now more than ever! The government cannot afford to ignore this any longer. There is too much at stake. It is time to act and to invest in rebuilding this vital profession once more.”

iHV delighted to announce new Director

The Institute of Health Visiting is delighted to announce the appointment of their first Director, Alison Morton, who joined the Institute today as Director of Policy and Quality.

Alison Morton, Director of Policy and Quality iHV

Alison was one of the Institute’s first five Fellows. Her most recent role has been as Best Start in Life Programme Manager at Public Health England.

Alison commented:

“I am delighted to be joining the Institute at a time when the spotlight is once again shining on the importance of the first few years of a child’s life as a foundation for future health and wellbeing. The evidence is clear that investing in early intervention and prevention is the right thing to do if we are serious about wanting every child to achieve their potential. Yet there remain persistent, unacceptable inequalities in outcomes for children from disadvantaged backgrounds and those with disabilities, as well as unwarranted variation in support for children and their families dependent on where they live. These inequalities result in poorer physical and mental health, academic achievement and employment prospects throughout the life-course.

“Whilst it can be tempting to invent a ‘new wheel’ when faced with a complex set of problems across society, I strongly believe that the health visiting service provides a crucial part of the ‘solution’ for a number of government departments who fund late intervention. Crucially, the evidence highlights the key role that the health visiting service plays in leading the delivery of the Healthy Child Programme (0-5 years), in partnership with a wide range of other agencies. I look forward to working with health visitors throughout the country and partners working in maternity and early years, as well as government departments, to strengthen the health visiting service and ensure that every child truly does have the ‘Best Start in Life’.”

2 new and exciting opportunities with the Institute

We are delighted to share 2 new opportunities with iHV:

Director of Policy and Quality
iHV Practice Development Lead

Director of Policy and Quality

The iHV is seeking to appoint its first Director to take responsibility for the further development of our policy and quality functions, whilst supporting the Executive Director and wider team activity.

The successful applicant will be educated to Doctoral level, or equivalent academic/professional leadership experience, and will have a strong track record of leading policy and quality initiatives, as well as of budgetary management and contracting.

Applications close: 9.00 am, Monday 14 January 2019

Interviews: Tuesday 22 January 2019 (please hold this date in your diary if applying)

For further information or an informal conversation about this post please contact Dr Cheryll Adams, [email protected]

For more information and how to apply

iHV Practice Development Lead

The iHV is seeking to appoint a lead officer for practice development, working across the whole organisation and with the expectation that one day a week will be allocated to supporting iHV training functions.

The postholder, will have minimum of a master’s degree and a strong education and practice development background.

Applications close: 9:00am Friday 11 January 2019

Interviews: afternoon on Monday 21 January 2019 (please hold this time in your diary if applying)

For further information or an informal conversation about this post please contact Dr Cheryll Adams [email protected]

For more information and how to apply