A New Era for Practice Assessor & Supervisor Development

Celebrating the successful launch of the NEW iHV Practice Assessor and Practice Supervisor Development Programme – booking now open for September 2026

“Excellent course” – “content, delivery and organisation was brilliant” – “truly inspiring facilitators and guest speakers – demonstrated passion and dedication”- “feeling motivated and ready”- “strong transferability to enhance support for pre-registration nurses and midwives” – “best online training I have attended” – “I will definitely recommend this course” – this is just some of the feedback from the first cohort.

In March 2026, iHV successfully launched its new Practice Assessor and Practice Supervisor Development Programme, marking a significant step forward in strengthening the professional preparation of those supporting Specialist Community Public Health Nursing (SCPHN) health visitor students. The three‑day programme responds to the growing national demand across the four nations for high‑quality, bespoke training for practitioners who play a pivotal role in shaping the next generation of the health visiting workforce.

Practice assessors and supervisors are central to creating positive learning environments, facilitating high‑quality practice‑based learning, and ensuring students meet the NMC 2022 Standards of Proficiency for SCPHN. The new programme recognises health visiting as a distinct field of practice, one that requires tailored educational leadership alongside specialist knowledge and skills to support learners effectively. By strengthening the capability and confidence of those guiding students in practice, the programme helps enable a consistently high‑quality learning experience that not only supports student success but also contributes to improved recruitment and retention. When learners feel well‑supported and practitioners feel valued in their educational role, services are better positioned to attract new entrants and retain experienced staff – a vital step in sustaining and rebuilding the health visiting workforce.

The new programme equips participants with bespoke knowledge, educational leadership skills, and practical tools to tailor learning opportunities and support professional development. Whether stepping into the role for the first time or seeking to deepen their impact, practitioners gain the confidence and capability needed to guide students into safe, effective SCPHN practice.

Analysis of pre‑ and post‑training evaluations from the first cohort showed a dramatic uplift in knowledge, understanding, and confidence, with participants overwhelmingly endorsing the programme – 90% rated it ‘excellent’ and the remaining 10% rated it ‘good’, 100% said they would recommend the programme!

We are now taking booking for the next cohort in September – reserve your place now!

Find out more and book here

Contact [email protected] for more information

Jamie Brockett, SCPHN Health Visitor, Hereford and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust
“Thank you for your enthusiasm and experience throughout your presentations this week. It has been an excellent experience. I felt so inspired; coming away with so many ideas to positively change practice and experiences for our SCPHN students.”

Nicola Baker Practice Development Nurse/Operational Lead Health Visiting Swansea Bay University Health Board
“I recently attended the iHV PA/PS programme and found the training to be excellent. It was well structured, interactive, and delivered effectively via Teams. The use of guest speakers throughout the programme really helped to embed the learning. The course was packed with practical information and guidance that I’ve already begun to use in practice. I finished the programme full of ideas for strengthening the learning environment within our service and would highly recommend it to anyone supporting SCPHN learners or working in a role where they can positively influence the learning experience.”

Anonymous
“The course was engaging and informative and it will change my practice.”

Anonymous
“The training was excellent. It was very well structured and relevant. The best online training I have ever attended.”

Anonymous
“The delivery and organisation was brilliant. It took any stress away which enabled me to focus on what I was leaning rather than the IT navigation. The facilitators were all approachable, easy to talk to and made me feel at ease.

My knowledge and confidence has definitely grown. I would recommend this course.

Thank you so much.”

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.

iHV Awards 2025 now open!

iHV SCPHN Student Health Visitor Award and iHV SCPHN-Health Visitor Lecturer Award

We are delighted to announce that applications to the iHV Awards 2025 are now open. This year we are excited to announce two awards:

the iHV SCPHN Student Health Visitor Award;
and the NEW iHV SCPHN-Health Visitor Lecturer Award.

These Awards recognise the amazing contribution of both SCPHN student health visitors and SCPHN-health visitor lecturers in leading activities that improve outcomes for babies, children and families.

This year’s Awards are linked with the annual iHV Leadership Conference in December 2025. Submissions will be accepted from current student and associate iHV members. To make a submission please see the relevant requirements and notes on the flyers below:

SCPHN Student Health Visitor Award 2025 – for full details and requirements download the flyer here
SCPHN-Health Visitor Lecturer Award 2025 – for full details and requirements download the flyer here

Read about the iHV SCPHN Student Health Visitor Award 2024 winners here.

Listen to the iHV podcasts: the SCPHN Student Health Visitor Award 2024 winners speak with Amanda Holland, iHV Education, Learning and Development Lead, on their incredible work – listen here.

Latest date of submissions: Friday 22 August 2025, 5pm

The winners will be notified early October 2025. Both Awards* include a complimentary ticket to the iHV Leadership Conference in London, 3 December 2025, where the award winners will be invited to present their examples and accept an iHV Award and certificate.

*The Awards cannot be transferred for an alternative prize or money, it is specific to the named award winners and the conference date. The award does not include travel or accommodation expenses.

iHV SCPHN Health Visitor Student Award 2024 now open!

Applications are now open for the 2024 iHV award for Specialist Community Public Health Nursing (SCPHN) health visitor students.

This year’s award is linked with the annual iHV Leadership Conference in December 2024. Submission will be accepted from current iHV student members and would need to be supported by an academic/ practice assessor or supervisor. To make a submission, students are invited to prepare an 350-word abstract showcasing an innovation in practice.

The award has been developed to celebrate new talent joining the health visitor workforce and showcase leadership in action for strengthening the quality of service provision.

Read about the 2023 winners here

Listen to the iHV podcasts: the SCPHN Student Health Visitor Award winners 2023 speak with Amanda Holland, iHV Professional Services Lead, on their incredible new ideas for service provision

Requirements:

The student submission must be made using the iHV submission form to be accepted for entry. This details:

Name of HEI, department providing the SCPHN-HV programme and declaration of cohort size
Full name, contact details and signature of the student
Full name, contact details and signature of the supporting academic, practice assessor or supervisor
Title and written abstract prepared by the student (max 350 words)
Disclaimer confirming the submission is the student’s own work and has not been submitted elsewhere

The abstract should:
Present a service innovation that demonstrates leadership in action to strengthen the quality of service provision
for babies, children and families.

Latest date of submission: Friday 23 August 2024

For full details and requirements, please download the iHV SCPHN Student Health Visitor Award 2024 flyer

NOTES

The iHV judges will be looking for innovations that incorporate factors known to support successful practice. This includes a
service investing in the following:

Trusting relationships
Working in partnership with families
Evidence-driven practices
Accessible and equitable provision
Well-coordinated personalised service with continuity of practitioner
Practitioner autonomy
Collaborative working
Demonstrating impact

The winning student will be notified early October 2024. The award includes a free place at the iHV Leadership Conference in London, December 2024*, where the successful student will be invited to present their innovation and accept an iHV Award Certificate. The supporting academic, practice assessor or supervisor will also receive a free iHV Leadership Conference place.

Submit an entry

*The award cannot be transferred for an alternative prize or money, it is specific to the named iHV student member and conference date. The award does not include travel or accommodation expenses.

New iHV SCPHN Student Awards

REVISED SUBMISSION CRITERIA – 26 May 2023

iHV is excited to announce a new award open to specialist community public health nursing (SCPHN) health visitor students who are iHV members. This award is linked with the annual iHV Evidence-based Practice Conference.

To make a submission students are invited to prepare an 350-word abstract showcasing an innovation in practice. Please note, to simplify the application process, posters are no longer required as part of the submission – the winning entry will be invited to give a short oral presentation (using slides if preferred) at our EBP conference in September..

Each Higher Education Institution (HEI) providing the SCPHN education programme is invited to submit a maximum of 2 submissions, depending on the size of their existing SCPHN HV cohorts. Each student submission would need to be supported by an academic and practice assessor or supervisor

The award has been developed to celebrate new talent joining the health visitor workforce and showcase new ideas for service provision.

Requirements:

The student submission must be made using the iHV submission form to be accepted for entry. This details:

Name of HEI and Department providing the SCPHN-HV programme and declaration of cohort size
Full name, contact details and signature of the student
Full name, contact details and signature of the supporting academic and practice assessor or supervisor
Title and written abstract prepared by the student (max 350 words)
Disclaimer confirming the submission is the student’s own work and has not been submitted elsewhere

The abstract should:
Present a practice innovation designed to strengthen the quality of service provision for babies, children & families.

Latest date of submission: Friday 30 June 2023

For full details and requirements download iHV 2023 SCPHN Student Health Visitor Award flyer

[/embeddedlink]

NOTES

The innovation must be informed by evidence and can be a proposed development or review of existing practice. Proposed or actual impacts for babies, children and families must be identified and the service innovation must involve SCPHN-HV practitioners. The iHV judges will be looking for innovations that incorporate factors known to support successful practice. This includes a service investing in the following:

Trusting relationships
Working in partnership with families
Evidence-driven practices
Accessible and equitable provision
Well-coordinated personalised service with continuity of practitioner
Practitioner autonomy
Collaborative working
Demonstrating impact

The winning student will be notified week commencing 24 July 2023. The award includes a free place at the iHV Evidence-based Practice (EBP) Conference, 21 September 2023, where the successful student will be invited to present their poster and accept an iHV Award Certificate. The supporting academic/practice educator will also receive a free iHV EBP conference place.

The number of submissions from each HEI depends on the size of the SCPHN cohort: for SCPHN HV-SN cohorts up to 30 = 1 student submission per HEI; cohort of 31 upwards = 2 students can be submitted per HEI.
The award cannot be transferred for an alternative prize or money, it is specific to the named iHV student member and conference date. The award does not include travel or accommodation expenses.

Submit an entry

Bookings now open for August iHV Insights

Our 4th iHV Insights webinar takes place on Thursday 20 August 3.30 to 4.30 pm.

This will cover the topic of: “Training as a Health Visitor during a pandemic”.

We are pleased to announce that our expert panel of speakers includes:

Joanne Seal, Leader UWE, Chair of United Kingdom Standing Conference on SCPHN. Title: The Changing Educational Context in SCPHN Education during a Pandemic
Ekaete George, Senior Practice Teacher and Practice Development Lead, Guys and St Thomas’s NHS Foundation Trust. Title: Maximising the SCPHN learning experience during 2020
Heena Fountain, Student Health Visitor, Central and North West London Foundation Trust. Title: Frontline health visiting during the Covid19 pandemic – A student’s perspective
Charlotte Grant, Student Health Visitor, Sutton Health and Care. Title: The Unexpected Module: how to train as a health visitor during a public health pandemic and why it’s important to prioritise yourself during the pandemic
Maggie Fisher, Professional Development Officer, Institute of Health Visiting. Title: Top tips for looking after yourself in practice

The webinar will also be recorded and will be available to iHV members on our website after the event, together with a FAQ sheet should we have a high number of questions.

Please join us.

How to book for iHV members

Go to our EventBrite booking page and please use your iHV membership number as your access code. If you have any problems or enquiries please email [email protected] and we will be happy to help.

Once you have submitted your details, you will be able to select your ticket and proceed to checkout – please note that this webinar is free to iHV members.

Go to EventBrite booking page

Previous iHV Insights

The great news is that recordings of all the iHV Insights webinars are available for iHV members to access as a free member benefit after the event.

Click here to catch up on our 3 fabulous iHV Insights sessions so far:

21 May 2020 – COVID-19 in children and managing minor childhood illnesses
18 June 2020 – Domestic Violence and Abuse: Keeping victims and children safe during a pandemic
16 July 2020 – Health visiting during a pandemic and beyond