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 Dame Elizabeth Fradd Leadership Programme: iHV Fellows 2025

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.

Kevin Munday, CEO at KPMG Foundation

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.

Candidates exploring social graces

Candidates exploring social graces

Candidates exploring social graces

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)

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.”