Somerset County Council

Community Staff Nurse - Health Visitor

Information:

This job is now closed

Job summary

  • Are you a qualified nurse or midwife looking to specialise or further your career?
  • Beginning your training in-house in early 2026, our dedicated development programme will give you in-depth experience of what it is like to work in a Public Health Nursing team. We'll support you to gain the skills and knowledge needed to interview for and undertake the Specialist Public Health Community Nurse (SCPHN) qualification. Along the way, you'll have the chance to take in our team culture and gain a full understanding of the role before joining the academic course.
  • You'll be completely supported in post with a comprehensive induction programme, additional training, buddy system and guidance from practice educators and health visitors. And you wont be doing this alone either. You will be part of a cohort of nurses and midwives undertaking the same training and qualification. Many of our health visitors have completed the course themselves and built lasting friendships within the team.
  • Subject to a satisfactory interview with the University of the West of England in September, you will then start your 12-month postgraduate qualification (Level 7) in September 2026 or September 2027. The course will be delivered through a mix of university-based attendance, remote learning, and practice, with 2 days protected study time and three days on the job gaining real world experience. Upon qualification, you will be well placed to apply for a permanent Health Visitor role in Somerset Council.

Main duties of the job

Gaining practical experience in our award-winning Health Visiting service, you will go into the course having lived and breathed the job.

Delivering the Healthy child programme for children aged 0-5 years and their families, your day-to-day work will involve:

  • Providing evidence-based interventions and motivational interviewing.
  • Assessing child development and undertaking holistic assessments.
  • Providing advice and promoting health and wellbeing to children and families.
  • Promoting health protection and keeping children safe.
  • Working closely with other local services, including Social Care, the voluntary sector, GPs, education, and pre-schools.

You will join a skill-mix team based within the community. Managing your own workload, you will be given the time and space to really get to know the families you support. Our work is preventative, empowering people to make healthier choices and addressing issues before they happen.

Your work will not just make a difference in families lives. It will play a part in reducing health inequalities across Somerset, influencing positive outcomes for all children in our community.

About us

We are proud to offer an environment that is supportive and rewarding, working as part of a team who are passionate about the work they do to improve the lives of people in Somerset.

We offer great training and development opportunities, with supportive management. As well as this, we have some fantastic employee benefits available:

  • Membership of theNHS Pension Scheme, subject to meeting certain criteria, or Auto enrolment onto our generous Pension Scheme and optional pension enhancement through our Additional Voluntary Contribution scheme.
  • Stable, family friendly working patterns, working between 9:00 - 5:00 Monday to Friday.
  • Prioritised superb Safeguarding, Clinical, and Restorative supervision.
  • The opportunity to fulfil your leadership role within the team.
  • Continuing Professional Development opportunities.
  • Generous annual leave allowance (plus bank holidays), with the opportunity to purchase up to 2 weeks additional leave.
  • Staff discounts in gyms.
  • Employee Assistance for the times you may need some support and a variety of employee wellbeing services.
  • My Staff Shop offering discounts in shops, online shopping, restaurants, cinema tickets, insurance benefits and more.

If you submit an application for this role via NHS Jobs, we will upload your details to our applicant tracking system. Please see our privacy statement in the link.

Details

Date posted

07 January 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£24,839 to £30,236 a year

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

18 months

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

K0002-26-0000

Job locations

Key Centre

Feltham Lane

Frome

BA11 5AJ


Somerset Council

Cannards Grave Road

Shepton Mallet

Somerset

BA4 5BT


Job description

Job responsibilities

Job Summary

1. Work as a member of the Health Visiting service within a designated locality supporting the Health Visiting Team to deliver on public health priorities in Somerset to children and families in line current national Public Health Agendas, working to National and Local objectives as defined by Service Specifications under the supervision and guidance of a Health Visitor.

2. Work with vulnerable children and families in line with national and local policies relating to safeguarding children and to provide specialist support and advice to children, families and schools regarding the health and wellbeing needs of children. Reporting to Health Visitor.

3.Work in partnership with other agencies, particularly the Local Authority, including children social care and early years settings. Support the delivery of programmes of intervention for individual children and families.

4. Deliver national and local programmes on an individual, group and community level. Supervise and guide the Health Visitor team assistant practitioners and administrator.

Key Responsibilities under supervision and guidance of the Health Visitors

5. Participate in the delivery of the National Healthy Child Programme 0-5 years, including developmental checks as allocated, attendance at baby clinics.

6.Identify need through Family Health Needs Assessment and provide personalised advice, support and interventions to parents and carers regarding health and social issues. Complete contemporaneous electronic record keeping including report writing and client records in line with the organisations policies and NMC code of Practice.

7. Participate in the promotion and delivery of young people's clinics in partnership with the educational and community establishments to promote general health and wellbeing of children and young people.

8. Work collaboratively as a member of a multi-disciplinary team with other agencies to maximise the Health Visiting service contribution to health improvements in the local community.

9. Facilitate and deliver targeted groups in a variety of settings.

10. Contribute to the delivery of health and social learning programmes for young people with identified needs.

11.Contribute to the delivery of care programmes for vulnerable children in conjunction with the Health Visiting team, families, school and other professionals.

12. Liaise with Health Visiting teams regarding children who may have additional needs relating to transition between pre-school and school and support the transition.

13. Understand, uphold and promote the aims of the councils equality, diversity and inclusion policies; health, safety and wellbeing of self and others; and Organisational values in everything you do. Equality and Diversity practice covers both interaction with staff, service users and communities and includes challenging discrimination and promoting equality of opportunity for all.

The postholder will complete a period of induction to achieve the competences required to undertake the role.

Contacts & Relationships

School Nurse/Health Visiting teams across Somerset.

Children, young people and families.

Early Years Education Providers, Head Teachers and Schools.

Community Services, Fire and Police.

Public Health Directorate, Somerset CCG.

Heads of Service, Children and Young People Provider Services and Locality Leads.

Primary Care GP practices.

Midwifery Services, Paediatric Services, Integrated Therapy Services.

Voluntary Sector.

External relationships with other agencies and Acute NHS Trusts.

Allied partnerships, e.g., Drug & Alcohol Action Team, perinatal mental health.

Communicate in person, face to face, in writing and, where appropriate, electronically with all the above contacts.

Further information specific to this job

Somerset Councils dynamic Working Strategy will be applied to this position.

This job requiresa criminal background check (DBS) via the disclosure procedure.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Job Summary

1. Work as a member of the Health Visiting service within a designated locality supporting the Health Visiting Team to deliver on public health priorities in Somerset to children and families in line current national Public Health Agendas, working to National and Local objectives as defined by Service Specifications under the supervision and guidance of a Health Visitor.

2. Work with vulnerable children and families in line with national and local policies relating to safeguarding children and to provide specialist support and advice to children, families and schools regarding the health and wellbeing needs of children. Reporting to Health Visitor.

3.Work in partnership with other agencies, particularly the Local Authority, including children social care and early years settings. Support the delivery of programmes of intervention for individual children and families.

4. Deliver national and local programmes on an individual, group and community level. Supervise and guide the Health Visitor team assistant practitioners and administrator.

Key Responsibilities under supervision and guidance of the Health Visitors

5. Participate in the delivery of the National Healthy Child Programme 0-5 years, including developmental checks as allocated, attendance at baby clinics.

6.Identify need through Family Health Needs Assessment and provide personalised advice, support and interventions to parents and carers regarding health and social issues. Complete contemporaneous electronic record keeping including report writing and client records in line with the organisations policies and NMC code of Practice.

7. Participate in the promotion and delivery of young people's clinics in partnership with the educational and community establishments to promote general health and wellbeing of children and young people.

8. Work collaboratively as a member of a multi-disciplinary team with other agencies to maximise the Health Visiting service contribution to health improvements in the local community.

9. Facilitate and deliver targeted groups in a variety of settings.

10. Contribute to the delivery of health and social learning programmes for young people with identified needs.

11.Contribute to the delivery of care programmes for vulnerable children in conjunction with the Health Visiting team, families, school and other professionals.

12. Liaise with Health Visiting teams regarding children who may have additional needs relating to transition between pre-school and school and support the transition.

13. Understand, uphold and promote the aims of the councils equality, diversity and inclusion policies; health, safety and wellbeing of self and others; and Organisational values in everything you do. Equality and Diversity practice covers both interaction with staff, service users and communities and includes challenging discrimination and promoting equality of opportunity for all.

The postholder will complete a period of induction to achieve the competences required to undertake the role.

Contacts & Relationships

School Nurse/Health Visiting teams across Somerset.

Children, young people and families.

Early Years Education Providers, Head Teachers and Schools.

Community Services, Fire and Police.

Public Health Directorate, Somerset CCG.

Heads of Service, Children and Young People Provider Services and Locality Leads.

Primary Care GP practices.

Midwifery Services, Paediatric Services, Integrated Therapy Services.

Voluntary Sector.

External relationships with other agencies and Acute NHS Trusts.

Allied partnerships, e.g., Drug & Alcohol Action Team, perinatal mental health.

Communicate in person, face to face, in writing and, where appropriate, electronically with all the above contacts.

Further information specific to this job

Somerset Councils dynamic Working Strategy will be applied to this position.

This job requiresa criminal background check (DBS) via the disclosure procedure.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Registered Nurse/RSCN
  • Registered Nursing Degree grade 2:2 or above.
  • Evidence of continued professional development.

Experience

Essential

  • Excellent interpersonal skills influencing, negotiating and communication (written and verbal) skills.
  • Aptitude and confidence for working with a rapidly changing environment.
  • Experienced in the use of IT applications, specifically experience of Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Email.
  • Supportive and able to foster an open and learning culture.
  • Proven organisational and time management skills.
  • Group facilitation skills.
  • Working knowledge of Safeguarding policies and procedures.
  • Community experience and/or experience in working with children.
  • Experience of working across organisational boundaries in a health care setting.
  • Experience of delivering programmes in a community setting and providing a range of diverse services.
  • Compassionate - Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate effectively with patients, carers and relatives remaining sensitive and empathetic.
  • Listens to others views respecting and valuing individual patient needs.
  • Professional and patient focussed approach with inspirational skills, acting as a role model to colleagues and junior staff members.
  • Excellent organisational skills, ability to manage own time and plan timed activities for staff and service users.
  • Ability to recognise and manage challenging situations in a calm and professional manner.
  • Able to take instruction and direction and work effectively as part of a team.
  • Ability to record and retrieve information on charts/paper and electronic patient records.
  • High standards of written communication skills with the ability to use email and internet.
  • Ability to undertake PMVA training to required level for role.
  • Ability to speak fluent English as stated in Part 7 of the Immigration Act (2016).

Desirable

  • Able to work as part of a multi professional team.
  • Understanding of quality standards and audit.
  • Knowledge of key national and local public health priorities.
  • Understanding of school health issues.
  • Working knowledge of using the RIO records system.
  • Experience of working with children and families with additional special needs.
  • Experience and knowledge of child protection procedures.
  • Experience of working with and or knowledge of child health issues e.g. contraceptive and sexual health, emotional health and wellbeing, smoking cessation, substance misuse.

Personal Attributes

Essential

  • Develop & maintain good working relationships both within the team & the organisation.
  • Compassionate and caring, sensitive to others needs.
  • Able to contribute appropriately to workload allocation and identify and raise concerns as required.
  • Flexible with working hours to suit the needs of the service.
  • Able to work on own initiative and relate to a wide range of people.
  • Work under pressure, dealing with a complex range of competing priorities and agendas.
  • Compassionate - Open minded, treats colleagues, patients, carers and relatives with dignity and respect.
  • Act in a way that support equality and diversity.
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Registered Nurse/RSCN
  • Registered Nursing Degree grade 2:2 or above.
  • Evidence of continued professional development.

Experience

Essential

  • Excellent interpersonal skills influencing, negotiating and communication (written and verbal) skills.
  • Aptitude and confidence for working with a rapidly changing environment.
  • Experienced in the use of IT applications, specifically experience of Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Email.
  • Supportive and able to foster an open and learning culture.
  • Proven organisational and time management skills.
  • Group facilitation skills.
  • Working knowledge of Safeguarding policies and procedures.
  • Community experience and/or experience in working with children.
  • Experience of working across organisational boundaries in a health care setting.
  • Experience of delivering programmes in a community setting and providing a range of diverse services.
  • Compassionate - Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate effectively with patients, carers and relatives remaining sensitive and empathetic.
  • Listens to others views respecting and valuing individual patient needs.
  • Professional and patient focussed approach with inspirational skills, acting as a role model to colleagues and junior staff members.
  • Excellent organisational skills, ability to manage own time and plan timed activities for staff and service users.
  • Ability to recognise and manage challenging situations in a calm and professional manner.
  • Able to take instruction and direction and work effectively as part of a team.
  • Ability to record and retrieve information on charts/paper and electronic patient records.
  • High standards of written communication skills with the ability to use email and internet.
  • Ability to undertake PMVA training to required level for role.
  • Ability to speak fluent English as stated in Part 7 of the Immigration Act (2016).

Desirable

  • Able to work as part of a multi professional team.
  • Understanding of quality standards and audit.
  • Knowledge of key national and local public health priorities.
  • Understanding of school health issues.
  • Working knowledge of using the RIO records system.
  • Experience of working with children and families with additional special needs.
  • Experience and knowledge of child protection procedures.
  • Experience of working with and or knowledge of child health issues e.g. contraceptive and sexual health, emotional health and wellbeing, smoking cessation, substance misuse.

Personal Attributes

Essential

  • Develop & maintain good working relationships both within the team & the organisation.
  • Compassionate and caring, sensitive to others needs.
  • Able to contribute appropriately to workload allocation and identify and raise concerns as required.
  • Flexible with working hours to suit the needs of the service.
  • Able to work on own initiative and relate to a wide range of people.
  • Work under pressure, dealing with a complex range of competing priorities and agendas.
  • Compassionate - Open minded, treats colleagues, patients, carers and relatives with dignity and respect.
  • Act in a way that support equality and diversity.

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Somerset County Council

Address

Key Centre

Feltham Lane

Frome

BA11 5AJ


Employer's website

https://www.somerset.gov.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

Somerset County Council

Address

Key Centre

Feltham Lane

Frome

BA11 5AJ


Employer's website

https://www.somerset.gov.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Team Manager Public Health Nursing

Claire Eacott

claire.eacott@somerset.gov.uk

Details

Date posted

07 January 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£24,839 to £30,236 a year

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

18 months

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

K0002-26-0000

Job locations

Key Centre

Feltham Lane

Frome

BA11 5AJ


Somerset Council

Cannards Grave Road

Shepton Mallet

Somerset

BA4 5BT


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

Somerset County Council's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)