Health visitor l Health care l Health tips

                 Health care                             

Health visitors are nurses or midwives who are passionate about promoting healthy lifestyles preventing illness. They work with families to give pre-school-age children the best possible start in life.

Working life

Health visitors are qualified and registered nurses or midwives who have chosen to gain additional training and qualifications as specialist community public health nurses (SCPHN - HV). Their additional training in public health enable them to access the health needs of individuals, families and the wider community to promote good health and prevent illness.

As a health visitor, you'll be working mainly with children from birth to five years and their families. You nma also work with at risk or deprived groups such as homeless addicts or travelling.

You'll have a crucial role in making sure that children have the best start in life. In partnership with parents, you will assess:

Health visitors have a crucial role in making sure that children & young people have the best start in life.

• parenting skills

• the family and home situation

• the development needs of young children.

You may then offer and agree with parents and further support that may be needed, and arrange to meet with them in their home, clinic or community settings.

Where will you work?

Health visitors are generally employed by the NHS or by community interest group. Health visitors may work in a variety of settings depending on the nature of the work including:

• families' home

• GP surgeries

• community and outreach clinics

• Sure Start Centres

What will you do as a health visitor?

The role of variety considerable from area to area, and occasionally there may be a specialist component to the role. The day to day work of health visitors typically includes:

• providing ante-natal and post-natal support

• supporting parents in bringing up their young children

• support children with special needs

• providing information on local services