Job summary
0.8 WTE | FTC for 2 years (with potential 1-year extension)Secondments welcome, including external applicants
The Specialist Health Visitor - VIG (Video Interaction Guidance) will lead and develop the delivery of VIG as a universal, non-stigmatising early-intervention delivered through multiple Family Hubs across Stoke-on-Trent. The role requires significant expertise, including formal VIG training, working closely with Thrive at Five, MPFT, and a multi-disciplinary stakeholder group including parents, Family Hubs, SALT, public health partners, commissioners and Early Years CAMHS.
The post holder will supervise and support local practitioners in their VIG practice, ensuring high-quality, reflective delivery. VIG is an evidence-based approach proven to strengthen parent-infant relationships and promote healthy early development. The Specialist Health Visitor will also provide consultation, training and development relating to Parental and Infant Mental Health, infant cues and behaviour, and positive parenting--strengthening universal children's services and embedding early intervention within Family Hubs.
As the first project to test universal VIG provision, this pilot--delivered with the Association for VIG Practitioners--could influence national Best Start Family Hub and Healthy Babies practice and generate learning on how complementary interventions best support parent-infant relationships.
Accreditation in VIG, or active progression toward it, is required for shortlisting.
Main duties of the job
Leading and testing whether Video Interaction Guidance (VIG) can be delivered as a universally available, non-stigmatising intervention through Family Hubs.
Make VIG available at scale across Family Hubs within Stoke on Trent.
Enhance early childhood development by strengthening parent-infant interactions.
Working in close partnership with Thrive at Five, Family Hubs and Stoke on Trent commissioners as a Specialist Health Visitor with Video Interaction Guidance (VIG) expertise.
Initial focus within two Family Hubs broadening out across multiple Stoke on Trent localities as the project matures.
About us
Come and work with us at our award-winning NHS Trust, leading the way for trying new and better ways of working to help improve life for our local communities.
We have around 9,000 staff who provide physical and mental healthcare, support for people with learning disabilities, and adult social care across Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent, Shropshire, and Telford & Wrekin. We also run regional and national services, including help for new parents (perinatal care), eating disorders, forensic services, sexual health, and support for people in prison with mental health, drug, or alcohol problems.
We offer great career development for both clinical and non-clinical roles, with ongoing training and support to help you learn and grow.
We are 'United in our Uniqueness' and committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels welcome and can be themselves, no matter their background or identity. We want our staff to feel supported and valued, and we aim to build a team that reflects the communities we serve. Together, we can make sure every voice is heard, and every difference is respected.
Please note, we may be required to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications
Please be aware that the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in completing application forms will be monitored to ensure fairness and transparency. If you have used AI you must state this in your application.
Job description
Job responsibilities
This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship. If it is identified that you require sponsorship to undertake this role your application may be withdrawn
1. Provide highly skilled specialist consultation, support and training to colleagues todevelop their skills in critical thinking, reflective practice and knowledge aboutparental and infant mental health, the dyadic relationship and the importance ofwhole family engagement.2. Provide one-to-one Video Interaction Guidance sessions to parents and babies(typically weekly for six weeks) using video feedback to help parents tune into theirbabys cues, understand behaviour, and build confidence.3. Use high level interpersonal and communication skills to provide and receivecomplex and often highly sensitive information. Use strengths based, solutionfocused strategies and motivational interviewing skills to enable families to developbehaviour change strategies using the principles of VIG. This includes values andbeliefs around respect and empowerment, guiding analysis of behaviour, explorationof feelings and thoughts, and movement to wishes and intentions.4. Use professional and clinical judgement to undertake detailed assessments of clientsand their families and analyse complex family situations in order to developappropriate clinical interventions, including assessing the needs of partners/fathers.5. Develop therapeutic relationships, requiring in-depth mental attention andconcentration for extended periods, and promote adaptive behaviour change in thefamily home and other environments.6. Work effectively in potentially highly distressing or highly emotional circumstances.Head of FunctionUniversal ServicesSpecialist HealthVisitor VIGIntegrated HV andSN 0-19 ServiceStoke On TrentService ManagerThrive at Five7. Act on own interpretation of assessed clinical situation within the home setting. Ableto refer clients onto other specialist services as required on own authority.8. Undertake VIG interventions to increase the dyadic relationship between infant andcarer, improving the life chances for the child.9. Ability to effectively deliver training to the 0-19 team and other disciplines asrequired. To lead in the training analysis and gap identification of the 0-19 team inrelation to VIG.10. As the specialist, lead on VIG within this project and VIG future programme targets,working alongside Thrive at Five and the wider stakeholder group.11. Develop and maintain effective communication with 0-19 teams and to maintainproductive working relationships. Ensure that all clients and colleagues are treated atall times in an equitable manner, respecting and showing an understanding ofdiversity in the workplace12. Identify families eligible for VIG within the universal early years pathway (e.g., healthvisitor contacts, family hub sessions). Recruit and engage eligible, sometimes hard toreach families to VIG and maintain their engagement throughout the process.13. Conduct initial appointments and explain the VIG process to parents in a nonstigmatising, supportive way.14. Align VIG sessions with other universal and targeted interventions (e.g., parent-babytoddler groups, development review).15. Develop a fair, workable referral pathway into VIG, to cover a range of refereesacross Stoke on Trent.
Job description
Job responsibilities
This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship. If it is identified that you require sponsorship to undertake this role your application may be withdrawn
1. Provide highly skilled specialist consultation, support and training to colleagues todevelop their skills in critical thinking, reflective practice and knowledge aboutparental and infant mental health, the dyadic relationship and the importance ofwhole family engagement.2. Provide one-to-one Video Interaction Guidance sessions to parents and babies(typically weekly for six weeks) using video feedback to help parents tune into theirbabys cues, understand behaviour, and build confidence.3. Use high level interpersonal and communication skills to provide and receivecomplex and often highly sensitive information. Use strengths based, solutionfocused strategies and motivational interviewing skills to enable families to developbehaviour change strategies using the principles of VIG. This includes values andbeliefs around respect and empowerment, guiding analysis of behaviour, explorationof feelings and thoughts, and movement to wishes and intentions.4. Use professional and clinical judgement to undertake detailed assessments of clientsand their families and analyse complex family situations in order to developappropriate clinical interventions, including assessing the needs of partners/fathers.5. Develop therapeutic relationships, requiring in-depth mental attention andconcentration for extended periods, and promote adaptive behaviour change in thefamily home and other environments.6. Work effectively in potentially highly distressing or highly emotional circumstances.Head of FunctionUniversal ServicesSpecialist HealthVisitor VIGIntegrated HV andSN 0-19 ServiceStoke On TrentService ManagerThrive at Five7. Act on own interpretation of assessed clinical situation within the home setting. Ableto refer clients onto other specialist services as required on own authority.8. Undertake VIG interventions to increase the dyadic relationship between infant andcarer, improving the life chances for the child.9. Ability to effectively deliver training to the 0-19 team and other disciplines asrequired. To lead in the training analysis and gap identification of the 0-19 team inrelation to VIG.10. As the specialist, lead on VIG within this project and VIG future programme targets,working alongside Thrive at Five and the wider stakeholder group.11. Develop and maintain effective communication with 0-19 teams and to maintainproductive working relationships. Ensure that all clients and colleagues are treated atall times in an equitable manner, respecting and showing an understanding ofdiversity in the workplace12. Identify families eligible for VIG within the universal early years pathway (e.g., healthvisitor contacts, family hub sessions). Recruit and engage eligible, sometimes hard toreach families to VIG and maintain their engagement throughout the process.13. Conduct initial appointments and explain the VIG process to parents in a nonstigmatising, supportive way.14. Align VIG sessions with other universal and targeted interventions (e.g., parent-babytoddler groups, development review).15. Develop a fair, workable referral pathway into VIG, to cover a range of refereesacross Stoke on Trent.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- NMC registered Nurse or Midwifery
- SCPHN registered in health Visiting
- Masters level qualification or equivalent
- Accredited or working towards accreditation in Video Interaction Guidance (VIG) at Intermediate or Advanced level
- Evidence of ongoing professional development in early years, parent-infant mental health, or related fields.
Desirable
- Evidence of self-directed learning study in relation to VIG
Experience
Essential
- Previous involvement in delivering or supporting evidence-based interventions (e.g., VIG, Newborn Behavioural Observations, PEEP Learning Together).
- Experience of multi-disciplinary working within Family Hubs or similar integrated services.
- Experience of VIG, showing highly developed skills in the engagement of clients to work towards realising a better future in their relationships with their child.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- NMC registered Nurse or Midwifery
- SCPHN registered in health Visiting
- Masters level qualification or equivalent
- Accredited or working towards accreditation in Video Interaction Guidance (VIG) at Intermediate or Advanced level
- Evidence of ongoing professional development in early years, parent-infant mental health, or related fields.
Desirable
- Evidence of self-directed learning study in relation to VIG
Experience
Essential
- Previous involvement in delivering or supporting evidence-based interventions (e.g., VIG, Newborn Behavioural Observations, PEEP Learning Together).
- Experience of multi-disciplinary working within Family Hubs or similar integrated services.
- Experience of VIG, showing highly developed skills in the engagement of clients to work towards realising a better future in their relationships with their child.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
