Job summary
**Interviews will be held W/C 13th April 2026**
We are delighted to host an exciting opportunity on behalf of North and West Yorkshire 0-19 services, and in partnership with Leeds Beckett University, for motivated and compassionate nurses or midwives to train as Specialist Community Public Health Nurses (School Nurse).
We are delighted to offer an exciting opportunity for motivated and compassionate nurses or midwives to train as Specialist Community Public Health Nurses (School Nurse). This Band 5 Student School Nurse post provides a structured pathway into the Health Visiting profession, combining academic study with supervised practice in community settings.
You will join a supportive and experienced team committed to helping you develop the skills, knowledge, and confidence needed to qualify as a Band 6 School Nurse.
What you can expect:
Employment as a Band 5 Student School Nurse for the duration of the SCPHN (Health Visiting) programme
A high-quality learning experience delivered in partnership with our University provider
Practice placements within our Health Visiting teams
Dedicated support from practice assessors, supervisors, and the wider service
Opportunities to develop leadership, public health, and family-centered practice skills
The salary for the student role will be mid-point Band 5 which is currently £33,487 per annum pro rata.
Main duties of the job
To participate in all elements of the SCPHN programme both theory and practice and ensure completion of all approved programme documentation and assessments which must be submitted within time scale.
To take responsibility in organising regular planned tripartite and bipartite meetings with your Practice Assessor and Academic Assessor.
To fully participate in the teaching strategies used by the Practice Assessor and Practice Supervisor.
To develop professional knowledge and competence, pertaining to Health Visiting and relevant to safe standards of professional practice.
To accurately record information within systemone records understanding and documenting cumulative risk and actioning appropriately. Records to be contemporaneous and recorded timely as per trust policy.
Confidentiality to be maintained at all times. Access to electronic devises to be kept safe and stored as per trust policy.
Under the supervision of the Practice Assessor or Practice Supervisor manage delegated workload/caseload and supervise staff if appropriate.
To undertake nursing and public health duties under direct and indirect supervision of the Practice Assessor or Practice Supervisor
To act in accordance with all Trust policies.
To develop skills in nurse prescribing, leading to qualification as a community prescriber. To demonstrate the ability to prescribe safely and effectively.
About us
Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust (HDFT) cares for the population in Harrogate and the local area, as well as across North Yorkshire, Leeds and parts of the North East.
At HDFT we provide outstanding care to both our patients and our staff and we value Kindness, Integrity, Teamwork and Equality. If you're looking for an interesting and rewarding career in the NHS, where you can make a real difference to patients' lives, HDFT could be the place for you!
We offer colleagues:
- A supportive culture so colleagues can bring their whole selves to work.
- Staff Recognition - as well as regular appraisals, we recognise achievements with our Making a Difference & Team of the Month Awards, along with annual Colleague Recognition Awards.
- Employee Support and wellbeing - we offer a wide range of staff benefits including an Employee Assistance Programme, counselling service and a fast-track Physiotherapy service.
Please note:
- Due to high levels of interest, posts may close early if we reach a sufficient number of applications
- Visa sponsorship is only available for certain roles. Please ensure the role you are interested in meets the criteria for a visa before submitting your application.
- Please also be aware that the Trust does not offer relocation packages for Agenda for Change roles.
- All job offers are subject to satisfactory pre-employment checks.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Upon successful completion of the SCPHN programme and achievement of professional registration, you will be eligible to be offered a Band 6 School Nurse post. Band 6 posts are allocated based on available vacancies across the geographical region and may not be in the same locality where you trained.
Further information about Band 6 opportunities will be shared with you as you approach qualification.
Important Information About the Training Contract
This is a fixedterm training post for the duration of the SCPHN programme. You are required to complete all academic and practicebased elements within the Universitys cohort timescales. Any extensions will be managed in line with NHSE Policy for Funding Extensions and in collaboration with the Trust and the University.
If you do not successfully complete the programme within the agreed timescales (including any approved extensions), the fixedterm contract will end at the conclusion of the training period. In these circumstances, you would not be eligible to be offered a Band 6 SCPHN post. Any future employment with the Trust would require a separate application through the standard recruitment process.
Internal applicants will be managed in accordance with HDFT Trusts Secondment Policy.
NHS England, a number of health care providers from across Yorkshire and Leeds Beckett University are undertaking a regional campaign to recruit registered nurses or midwives to undertake a Specialist Community Public Health Nurse- School Nurse training programme to start in September 2026. The Band 5 Student School Nurse post provides a structured pathway into the Health Visiting profession, combining academic study with supervised practice in community settings.
You must have a current Nursing or Midwifery registration and hold a first degree in a relevant subject (2:2 or above) OR Leeds Beckett University may be able to consider your experience as equivalence to a degree by completing our Professional Portfolio Development module (please contact Leeds Beckett for details. This module commences late January 2026.
Applicants considered for the Apprenticeship route will need to evidence GCSE English and Maths at Grade 4/C
If you successfully obtain a place on the programme internal staff can discuss the opportunity for a secondment with their employer onto the course by one of the Sponsor Employers who offer Practice Placements or by your own employer if they also provide Health Visiting Placements. Subject to confirmation, students on this course are eligible for a paid salary and will have their course fees paid by the NHS.
Due to the nature of this role, it is essential that applicants are able to travel independently and have access to a suitable vehicle for business purposes throughout the course. Where necessary, adjustments will be made in accordance with the Equality Act (2010).
Application process 2026:
We are recruiting with NHS employers in the region, listed below. All employers are offering internal secondments and three are offering the opportunity for staff external to their organisation to apply for a training place with them.
The options for sponsor organisations may include the following:
Internal Applications Only
- Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust
- Bradford District Care NHS Trust
- Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust
Internal and External Applications
If you are applying as an Internal Applicant, please state clearly on your application form that you are an employee of the organisation and have your managers support to apply for a secondment. Your application will then be considered and if you are invited for interview, a decision will made on your suitability to proceed onto this course in collaboration with your employer.
We also accept self-funding applicants or applicants from the Private, Independent and Voluntary Organisations. Our team will work with you to help secure a suitable and quality assured practice placement.
For information regarding the Health Visiting course content and structure see the course details on the Leeds Beckett University website.
Your application must also include:
Details of an academic referee and a professional referee
Your NMC registered nurse (level 1) or NMC registered midwife PIN
Evidence that you have a health-related Honours degree at 2:2 or above or provide evidence that you have completed or are currently studying the Leeds Beckett Professional Portfolio Development module through which your equivalent experience can be assessed
Your recent engagement in CPD activities, including the level and its relevance to your application to a Postgraduate course
Evidence that you meet the criteria set out in the Person Specification
EITHER
Confirmation of your employment with the trust you are applying to and of having your managers support
OR
Your sponsor/placement choice ranked in order of preference
Job description
Job responsibilities
Upon successful completion of the SCPHN programme and achievement of professional registration, you will be eligible to be offered a Band 6 School Nurse post. Band 6 posts are allocated based on available vacancies across the geographical region and may not be in the same locality where you trained.
Further information about Band 6 opportunities will be shared with you as you approach qualification.
Important Information About the Training Contract
This is a fixedterm training post for the duration of the SCPHN programme. You are required to complete all academic and practicebased elements within the Universitys cohort timescales. Any extensions will be managed in line with NHSE Policy for Funding Extensions and in collaboration with the Trust and the University.
If you do not successfully complete the programme within the agreed timescales (including any approved extensions), the fixedterm contract will end at the conclusion of the training period. In these circumstances, you would not be eligible to be offered a Band 6 SCPHN post. Any future employment with the Trust would require a separate application through the standard recruitment process.
Internal applicants will be managed in accordance with HDFT Trusts Secondment Policy.
NHS England, a number of health care providers from across Yorkshire and Leeds Beckett University are undertaking a regional campaign to recruit registered nurses or midwives to undertake a Specialist Community Public Health Nurse- School Nurse training programme to start in September 2026. The Band 5 Student School Nurse post provides a structured pathway into the Health Visiting profession, combining academic study with supervised practice in community settings.
You must have a current Nursing or Midwifery registration and hold a first degree in a relevant subject (2:2 or above) OR Leeds Beckett University may be able to consider your experience as equivalence to a degree by completing our Professional Portfolio Development module (please contact Leeds Beckett for details. This module commences late January 2026.
Applicants considered for the Apprenticeship route will need to evidence GCSE English and Maths at Grade 4/C
If you successfully obtain a place on the programme internal staff can discuss the opportunity for a secondment with their employer onto the course by one of the Sponsor Employers who offer Practice Placements or by your own employer if they also provide Health Visiting Placements. Subject to confirmation, students on this course are eligible for a paid salary and will have their course fees paid by the NHS.
Due to the nature of this role, it is essential that applicants are able to travel independently and have access to a suitable vehicle for business purposes throughout the course. Where necessary, adjustments will be made in accordance with the Equality Act (2010).
Application process 2026:
We are recruiting with NHS employers in the region, listed below. All employers are offering internal secondments and three are offering the opportunity for staff external to their organisation to apply for a training place with them.
The options for sponsor organisations may include the following:
Internal Applications Only
- Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust
- Bradford District Care NHS Trust
- Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust
Internal and External Applications
If you are applying as an Internal Applicant, please state clearly on your application form that you are an employee of the organisation and have your managers support to apply for a secondment. Your application will then be considered and if you are invited for interview, a decision will made on your suitability to proceed onto this course in collaboration with your employer.
We also accept self-funding applicants or applicants from the Private, Independent and Voluntary Organisations. Our team will work with you to help secure a suitable and quality assured practice placement.
For information regarding the Health Visiting course content and structure see the course details on the Leeds Beckett University website.
Your application must also include:
Details of an academic referee and a professional referee
Your NMC registered nurse (level 1) or NMC registered midwife PIN
Evidence that you have a health-related Honours degree at 2:2 or above or provide evidence that you have completed or are currently studying the Leeds Beckett Professional Portfolio Development module through which your equivalent experience can be assessed
Your recent engagement in CPD activities, including the level and its relevance to your application to a Postgraduate course
Evidence that you meet the criteria set out in the Person Specification
EITHER
Confirmation of your employment with the trust you are applying to and of having your managers support
OR
Your sponsor/placement choice ranked in order of preference
Person Specification
as below
Essential
- Relevant honours degree at a minimum of 2:2 or completion of Leeds Beckett PPD module (attained prior to application)
- Evidence of recent continuous learning and development (accredited or unaccredited gained within the last 5 years)
- Understanding of Public Health and the 0-19 Agenda
- Understanding of current policies relating to Public Health
- Awareness of the demands of the Specialist Community Public Health Nursing course
- Understanding about issues relating to equality and diversity
- Understanding about leadership
- Understanding about issues relating to safeguarding
- Effective Communication and Interpersonal skills (self-awareness, body language, listening, clarifying, tact and diplomacy, ability to make themselves understood, sensitivity to others)
- Effective literacy and numeracy skills (report writing and analysis, patient/client record keeping)
- Effective clinical problem solving abilities (ability to analyse associated factors, prioritise needs for action, initiate an action plan and review/reflect on outcomes)
- Experience of multi-disciplinary team working
- Experience of applying evidence based practice
- IT skills (use of keyboard, email, and a range of software programmes)
- Motivated to become a Public Health Nurse
- Empathetic, non-judgemental, and client/patient focused
- Ability to travel as course requirements demand
- NMC registered nurse (level 1) or NMC registered midwife
Desirable
- Understanding of the role of other professionals involved in children's services
- Awareness of wider health legislation/policies/strategies affecting children
- Experience in a leadership role
- Involvement in the preparation of statements/reports for formal purposes (e.g. case review meetings, court hearings)
- Experience of problem solving in community settings
- Experience of multi-agency working in a community setting
- Experience of audit/evaluation/research
- Hold a full driving licence and have permanent access to a vehicle
Person Specification
as below
Essential
- Relevant honours degree at a minimum of 2:2 or completion of Leeds Beckett PPD module (attained prior to application)
- Evidence of recent continuous learning and development (accredited or unaccredited gained within the last 5 years)
- Understanding of Public Health and the 0-19 Agenda
- Understanding of current policies relating to Public Health
- Awareness of the demands of the Specialist Community Public Health Nursing course
- Understanding about issues relating to equality and diversity
- Understanding about leadership
- Understanding about issues relating to safeguarding
- Effective Communication and Interpersonal skills (self-awareness, body language, listening, clarifying, tact and diplomacy, ability to make themselves understood, sensitivity to others)
- Effective literacy and numeracy skills (report writing and analysis, patient/client record keeping)
- Effective clinical problem solving abilities (ability to analyse associated factors, prioritise needs for action, initiate an action plan and review/reflect on outcomes)
- Experience of multi-disciplinary team working
- Experience of applying evidence based practice
- IT skills (use of keyboard, email, and a range of software programmes)
- Motivated to become a Public Health Nurse
- Empathetic, non-judgemental, and client/patient focused
- Ability to travel as course requirements demand
- NMC registered nurse (level 1) or NMC registered midwife
Desirable
- Understanding of the role of other professionals involved in children's services
- Awareness of wider health legislation/policies/strategies affecting children
- Experience in a leadership role
- Involvement in the preparation of statements/reports for formal purposes (e.g. case review meetings, court hearings)
- Experience of problem solving in community settings
- Experience of multi-agency working in a community setting
- Experience of audit/evaluation/research
- Hold a full driving licence and have permanent access to a vehicle
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
