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Health visitor

Alternative titles for this job include

Health visitors work with families with a child aged 0 to 5 to identify health needs, promote healthy lifestyles and prevent illness.

Average salary (a year)

£39,000 Starter

to

£55,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

38 to 42 a week

You could work

evenings on a rota

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become

You can get into this job through an apprenticeship or by working toward this role.

Apprenticeship

If you are a qualified registered nurse or midwife, you may be able to do a Specialist Community Public Health Nurse Level 7 Degree Apprenticeship.

This typically takes a year and 6 months to complete as a mix of learning on the job and study.

Entry requirements

To do this apprenticeship, you'll need:

  • to be a registered nurse

More Information

Work

You can apply for health visitor training if you're a registered midwife or nurse in any branch of nursing.

You'll need to complete the Specialist Community Public Health Nursing - Health Visiting course which is approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council.

Your training can be full time or part time and will last between 1 to 2 years.

More Information

Registration

Career tips

You'll be expected to understand how the NHS values apply in your work when applying for a course or an apprenticeship.

Further information

You can get more advice about how to become a health visitor from Health Careers.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • sensitivity and understanding
  • active listening skills
  • the ability to work well with others
  • the ability to understand people’s reactions
  • knowledge of psychology
  • the ability to use your initiative
  • to be flexible and open to change
  • administration skills
  • to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

As a health visitor, you could:

  • advise new parents on baby feeding, hygiene, safety and sleep
  • support parents with their children's development needs
  • coordinate child immunisation programmes
  • organise clinics or drop in centres
  • work with social services and other organisations to safeguard and protect children

Working environment

You could work at a client's home, at a health centre or at a GP practice.

Your working environment may be physically and emotionally demanding and you'll travel often.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

With experience you could:

  • specialise in an area like working with teenage parents or people that need mental health support
  • progress to team manager, community matron or a healthcare management role
  • move into education, training or academic research

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

We can't find any apprenticeship vacancies in England for a health visitor right now.

The Find an apprenticeship service can help you with your search, send alerts when new apprenticeships become available and has advice on how to apply.

Courses In England

Access to HE - Nursing

  • Provider: Harrow, Richmond & Uxbridge Colleges (HRUC)
  • Start date: 09 September 2025
  • Location: Harrow

Access to HE Diploma (Nursing)

  • Provider: MACCLESFIELD COLLEGE
  • Start date: 08 September 2025
  • Location: Macclesfield
Find courses near you

Jobs In the United Kingdom

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Related careers

Skills assessment

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Speak to an adviser

You can call 0800 100 900 or use webchat to speak to an adviser.

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We're closed on Sundays, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.

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