Institute of Health Visiting

07/10/2026

Yesterday evening, health visitors, their teams, partners and distinguished guests gathered in London for our very special, inaugural iHV Health Visiting Awards 2026.

The evening was a wonderful celebration of outstanding practice, innovation and leadership across health visiting – shining a spotlight on work that can often go unseen, but makes a profound difference to babies, children and families.

It was a powerful reminder of the incredible contribution being made every day by health visitors and their teams – and of the people and communities at the heart of everything they do.

We are immensely proud to celebrate them.

Among the evening’s most prestigious honours was the conferment of 21 new iHV Fellowships, together with awards for Health Visitor and Health Visiting Team of the Year, an Honorary Fellowship, and the Institute’s very special and inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award - awarded to Professor Dame Sarah Cowley DBE 🌟

Also watch a very special short film featuring tributes from just a few of the many people who have worked with, learned from, and been inspired by Professor Dame Sarah Cowley throughout her distinguished career. The film offered a glimpse into the extraordinary impact of her work, capturing in their own words the difference she has made to countless health visitors and, through them, to millions of babies, children and families worldwide.

Find out more ⬇️
https://bit.ly/4AQbko9

Department of Health and Social Care - DHSC

06/10/2026

iHV CEO, Alison Morton, welcomes guests and awardees to the iHV Celebratory Awards Evening Reception. An evening to celebrate new iHV Fellows and the winners of the iHV Practice Awards 2026 - plus the iHV Lifetime Achievement Award.

06/10/2026

We are delighted to share this Voices blog by iHV Fellow, Bridget Halnan, Senior Lecturer on the SCPHN Programme at Anglia Ruskin University, on new concerns about the safety of imported eggs and the key messages for health visiting.

Read the full blog here: https://buff.ly/MIfLI8W

06/10/2026

Should we ban screen use for under-5s? Or just ignore the problem as screen use is such a big part of modern life? Is there another way?

Join us on Thursday 22 October 2026 for this iHV Insights webinar, as we explore Screen Use in the Early Years and its implications for babies, young children and families.

The webinar will provide an opportunity to reflect on the role of health visiting teams in supporting parents in a non-judgemental way, to make informed decisions and promote baby, child and family safety and wellbeing in a digital world.

Our fantastic panel of expert speakers include:

📲 Professor Sam Wass, Director of the Institute for the Science of Early Years at the University of East London, who will discuss why safer screen use matters, the evidence on its impact, and newly published guidance.

💬 Olivia Dann, Speech and Language Therapist, Doctoral Student and member of Health Professionals for Safer Screens, and Sandy Chappell, Speech Therapist and member of Health Professionals for Safer Screens, who will share clinical perspectives on the impact of screen use on child development.

✅️ Victoria Jackson, Health Visiting Lead – Professional Services, who will introduce the iHV’s new Good Practice Point for practitioners on safer screen use in the early years.

Open to all iHV members. Book your place here: https://buff.ly/1tEX3Pk

Not yet a member? Discover the professional benefits of iHV membership today! https://buff.ly/pghOfOu

05/10/2026

📣 Early bird ends this week!
⭐ iHV Leadership Conference: Voices that Matter: Leading Impact in Health Visiting
📆 Weds 2 December 2026

Through inspiring keynote presentations, panel discussions and shared learning, we will explore some of the most pressing issues facing and early years services today, including:
• Perinatal and Infant Mental Health: Showcasing the Very Best
• If Impact Matters, How Do We Make It Work in the Real World?
• Baby Friendly Care: Leading Better Outcomes for Families
• Dynamic Leadership: Challenging the Status Quo
• Education and Workforce: Shaping the Future

Expect inspiration, debate, and the chance to share and strengthen excellence in practice.

Act now to secure your discounted ticket before early bird closes on Friday 9 October: https://buff.ly/j2jvkXs

05/10/2026

Being able to use the potty or toilet independently is an important milestone for every child. Great to see how just a bit of extra support can make a big difference 👶🏿👶🏼👶🏾🌟
See York case study evaluation results published by Kindred Squared today📣. The Institute of Health Visiting (iHV) was pleased to be involved in developing the national guide with partners 👇

02/10/2026

First Steps Nutrition Trust has recently published key messages for health workers supporting families struggling with the cost of infant formula...

02/10/2026

The Office for Product Safety and Standards has issued a Safety Alert warning parents to avoid baby sleeping bags with hoods or without arm holes, as babies can suffocate, overheat or die in them.

Do you use a baby sleeping bag like this? Or perhaps you know someone who does?

The Office for Product Safety and Standards has issued a Safety Alert today warning parents to avoid baby sleeping bags with hoods or without arm holes, as babies can suffocate, overheat or die in them.

Nearly 50 have been recalled since 2023. And far too many are still available to buy online.

Sleep bags should be well-fitted (think neck and arm holes that fit well), so that your baby can’t wriggle down inside. And sleep bags with hoods or head coverings should be avoided.

Worryingly, these aren’t the only dangerous baby products you can buy online.

The Advertising Standards Authority has spotted lots of high-risk ads promising quick fixes to sleep-deprived or first-time parents.

It is warning parents to be on high alert for online ads promoting baby products that claim to help with colic, reflux, sleep and soothing.

Have you seen any baby product adverts you’re worried about? Let us know in the comments.

02/10/2026

Time to act - have your say!
There is less than a week to go before the DHSC consultation on protecting the professional title 'nurse' and 'health visitor' closes. This important public consultation is open to all members of the public - but responses must be submitted before 23:59hrs Thursday 8 October.

This is a rare opportunity to support proposals for tightening the legislation that will offer further protection for the public.
This short survey asks two key questions:
• Which professions and roles should continue to be able to use the title ‘nurse’ without risk of prosecution?
• Are there other professional titles that should be protected under the Nursing and Midwifery Council’s (NMC) legislative framework, e.g. health visitor?

Act now and have your say by going to
https://buff.ly/IZOXj2Z

Or find out more at: https://buff.ly/Yu6qfDB

If you navigate away from the survey, your progress will be automatically saved. If you reopen the link in the same browser that you started the survey, you will be able to continue your response.

02/10/2026

⚠️ Product Safety Alert for Parents and Carers ⚠️

The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) has issued a safety alert for baby sleeping bags without armholes or with a hood.

Parents and carers are being advised not to buy or use these products.

Nearly 50 recalls or safety reports linked to these products have been recorded since 2023.

When choosing a baby sleeping bag:

✔ Look for products that meet British Standard BS EN 16781:2018
✔ Make sure the sleeping bag has armholes
✔ Avoid products with a hood
✔ Buy from reputable retailers
✔ Follow the manufacturer's safety guidance

Read the full OPSS safety alert: https://www.gov.uk/product-safety-alerts-reports-recalls/product-safety-alert-baby-sleeping-bags-psa9