Specialist Health Visitor in Infant Mental Health

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

The closing date is 30 April 2025

Job summary

The specialised Health visiting team for Infant Mental Health is dedicated to supporting infants and their primary caregivers, including parents, foster carers, grandparents, and others assuming this role, during the crucial period of the infants first two years of life. The team offer direct support for parent-infant relationships and address the social, emotional, and mental health needs of infants. This service operates from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday, for infants residing within the geographical area of Hampshire.

The team is committed to delivering sensitive, responsive, and appropriate care that is essential for the healthy development of infants. Their primary objective is to assist caregivers in addressing the infants social, emotional, mental health challenges, enhancing existing parenting skills, and fostering a strong parent-infant relationship. Services are provided through home visits or at alternative venues such as clinical settings or community spaces across Hampshire.

Main duties of the job

The successful role holder will be clinical leading an infant mental health team that supports the social, emotional, mental health, and wellbeing of infants. This role requires the ability to work effectively with parents and infants, focusing on preventative measures to address potential harm to infants' emotional wellbeing and future mental health. This role involves provision of direct support to infants and their families. This includes targeted interventions for infants experiencing early difficulties and specialised support for families facing ongoing challenges in their early relationships, particularly when an infant's emotional wellbeing and development are at risk

The role holder will be delivering comprehensive training to a diverse range of clinical staff. They will act as a point of contact for those involved in the public health Healthy Child Programme, contributing to a system-wide transformation in the provision of services related to infant social, emotional, mental health, and wellbeing. The role holder will utilise their expertise and leadership skills to assist the local workforce and team members in understanding and supporting parent-infant relationships, identifying issues as they arise, and taking appropriate actions.

About us

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is a newly established organisation, bringing together expertise from across mental health, learning disabilities, community, and physical health services. We are dedicated to delivering compassionate, high-quality, and accessible care to the diverse communities of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

With over 13,000 dedicated staff working across more than 300 sites, we place patients and staff at the centre of everything we do. Our goal is to create an integrated healthcare system that improves accessibility and ensures more consistent care for patients. By working together, we aim to improve patient outcomes, drive innovation, and meet the unique needs of the populations we serve.

Our Trust unites services from Southern Health, Solent NHS Trust, Isle of Wight NHS Trusts community and mental health teams, as well as Hampshire CAMHS, originally part of Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. This transformation enables us to deliver more seamless care across the region, ensuring that patients receive the right support, in the right place, at the right time.

Join us as we embark on this exciting journey to shape the future of healthcare across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. We are deeply committed to our CARE values of compassion, accountability, respect, and excellence, and offer outstanding opportunities for career development, training, and collaborative working.

Date posted

11 April 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£46,148 to £52,809 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

348-SS-7602

Job locations

Moorgreen Hospital

Botley Road, West End

Southampton

Hampshire

SO30 3JB


Job description

Job responsibilities

Further information about the Trust and this role can be found on the Job Description and Person Specification document attached. It is important to us that we ensure our recruitment processes are accessible and inclusive to everyone - if as a potential candidate you are concerned a person specification may prevent or restrict your application for employment as a result of unintentional barriers on the grounds of your sex, race, age, sexual orientation, religion/belief or disability please initially contact the Trust's Recruitment team - detailed in the advert. The Trust will seek to resolve this issue wherever possible.

We are happy to talk Flexible Working - all requests for flexible working options can be discussed as part of the interview process.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Further information about the Trust and this role can be found on the Job Description and Person Specification document attached. It is important to us that we ensure our recruitment processes are accessible and inclusive to everyone - if as a potential candidate you are concerned a person specification may prevent or restrict your application for employment as a result of unintentional barriers on the grounds of your sex, race, age, sexual orientation, religion/belief or disability please initially contact the Trust's Recruitment team - detailed in the advert. The Trust will seek to resolve this issue wherever possible.

We are happy to talk Flexible Working - all requests for flexible working options can be discussed as part of the interview process.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Registered Nurse/Midwife
  • Qualification as SCPHN (Health Visiting)
  • Relevant master's degree or additional qualification relevant to the specialist post e.g. early years qualifications, infant mental health qualification/courses/assessments
  • Evidence of recent professional and personal development
  • Full UK Driving Licence (and access to a car) with business insurance

Desirable

  • Additional specialist qualification/ training in specific models of infant mental health intervention (e.g. NBO or ADBB).
  • Mentorship Module
  • Nurse prescriber
  • Evidence of ongoing learning and professional development

Experience

Essential

  • A high level of relevant expert knowledge, skill and recent experience in infant mental health, developed through training and practice.
  • Experience of working in partnership with other relevant services and 3rd sector organisations
  • Evidence of delivering high quality teaching and learning interventions to staff groups.
  • Must demonstrate significant post-qualification practitioner experience
  • Evidence of leadership and practice development
  • Demonstrate the ability to work collaboratively with other agencies
  • Evidence of experience as a supervisor, including a clear understanding and application of an effective caseload management system.
  • Ability to work as a role model and expert in specialist infant mental health practice.
  • Evidence of the ability to influence and motivate
  • Knowledge and understanding of the service improvement agenda
  • Strong written and oral presentation skills, including the ability to author concise and persuasive reports and business cases

Additional Criteria

Essential

  • Able to cope with the demands of this post in this working environment.
  • Ability to fulfil the travel requirements of the post.
  • Able to manage, supervise and direct a multi disciplinary team and support staff as appropriate.
  • Able to prioritise workload and manage team capacity according to demand.
  • Knowledge of clinical governance requirements and management
  • Requires commitment to, and understanding of Equal Opportunities issues.
  • To set an example of non-discriminatory behaviour and to ensure, as far as is reasonably practicable that staff act in accordance with the parent agencies policies on Equal Opportunities.
  • To demonstrate a high level of awareness of the issue of diversity and to be able to take a lead in ensuring that the diverse needs of the client group can be met
  • Working knowledge of the appropriate legislative framework e.g. Children Act.
  • Can identify safeguarding and child protection issues using knowledge of child protection procedures and liaise appropriately with other agencies
  • To demonstrate a flexible, adaptable attitude, particularly regarding being able to meet complex and disparate client needs flexibly while maintaining appropriate standards and boundaries.
  • Excellent understanding of clinical and professional requirements, current issues, policies and evidence-based practice relevant to infant mental health, specialist community public health nursing and external bodies (NMC).
  • Requires an understanding of Health and Safety issues and a willingness to undertake training where appropriate.
  • Excellent communication skills and ability to work proactively and cultivate relationships with key stakeholders, senior managers and clinical staff, including at times of stress
  • Excellent time management skills with an ability to prioritise.
  • A positive approach to teaching and customer care, with ability to manage difficult conversations. Evidence of teaching, presentation and facilitation skills.
  • Negotiation/influencing skills
  • Sensitive and honest with the ability to inspire and motivate others
  • Evidence of good organisational skills and the ability to use own initiative and meet deadlines
  • Excellent verbal, written, numeracy and IT skills
  • Evidence of significant contribution to transformational change
  • Demonstrates outstanding commitment to patient care, quality of care and outcomes
  • Patient and person centered
  • Looks across organisational boundaries and focuses on forging relationships
  • Sets clear goals, promoting a learning culture and celebrating success
  • Commitment to self-development, with an in-depth knowledge of key policies and themes in children's health, infant mental health.
  • Ability and interest in coaching/ supervision of staff to improve performance
  • Ability to interpret and analyse information, research and audit data to influence and initiate change.
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Registered Nurse/Midwife
  • Qualification as SCPHN (Health Visiting)
  • Relevant master's degree or additional qualification relevant to the specialist post e.g. early years qualifications, infant mental health qualification/courses/assessments
  • Evidence of recent professional and personal development
  • Full UK Driving Licence (and access to a car) with business insurance

Desirable

  • Additional specialist qualification/ training in specific models of infant mental health intervention (e.g. NBO or ADBB).
  • Mentorship Module
  • Nurse prescriber
  • Evidence of ongoing learning and professional development

Experience

Essential

  • A high level of relevant expert knowledge, skill and recent experience in infant mental health, developed through training and practice.
  • Experience of working in partnership with other relevant services and 3rd sector organisations
  • Evidence of delivering high quality teaching and learning interventions to staff groups.
  • Must demonstrate significant post-qualification practitioner experience
  • Evidence of leadership and practice development
  • Demonstrate the ability to work collaboratively with other agencies
  • Evidence of experience as a supervisor, including a clear understanding and application of an effective caseload management system.
  • Ability to work as a role model and expert in specialist infant mental health practice.
  • Evidence of the ability to influence and motivate
  • Knowledge and understanding of the service improvement agenda
  • Strong written and oral presentation skills, including the ability to author concise and persuasive reports and business cases

Additional Criteria

Essential

  • Able to cope with the demands of this post in this working environment.
  • Ability to fulfil the travel requirements of the post.
  • Able to manage, supervise and direct a multi disciplinary team and support staff as appropriate.
  • Able to prioritise workload and manage team capacity according to demand.
  • Knowledge of clinical governance requirements and management
  • Requires commitment to, and understanding of Equal Opportunities issues.
  • To set an example of non-discriminatory behaviour and to ensure, as far as is reasonably practicable that staff act in accordance with the parent agencies policies on Equal Opportunities.
  • To demonstrate a high level of awareness of the issue of diversity and to be able to take a lead in ensuring that the diverse needs of the client group can be met
  • Working knowledge of the appropriate legislative framework e.g. Children Act.
  • Can identify safeguarding and child protection issues using knowledge of child protection procedures and liaise appropriately with other agencies
  • To demonstrate a flexible, adaptable attitude, particularly regarding being able to meet complex and disparate client needs flexibly while maintaining appropriate standards and boundaries.
  • Excellent understanding of clinical and professional requirements, current issues, policies and evidence-based practice relevant to infant mental health, specialist community public health nursing and external bodies (NMC).
  • Requires an understanding of Health and Safety issues and a willingness to undertake training where appropriate.
  • Excellent communication skills and ability to work proactively and cultivate relationships with key stakeholders, senior managers and clinical staff, including at times of stress
  • Excellent time management skills with an ability to prioritise.
  • A positive approach to teaching and customer care, with ability to manage difficult conversations. Evidence of teaching, presentation and facilitation skills.
  • Negotiation/influencing skills
  • Sensitive and honest with the ability to inspire and motivate others
  • Evidence of good organisational skills and the ability to use own initiative and meet deadlines
  • Excellent verbal, written, numeracy and IT skills
  • Evidence of significant contribution to transformational change
  • Demonstrates outstanding commitment to patient care, quality of care and outcomes
  • Patient and person centered
  • Looks across organisational boundaries and focuses on forging relationships
  • Sets clear goals, promoting a learning culture and celebrating success
  • Commitment to self-development, with an in-depth knowledge of key policies and themes in children's health, infant mental health.
  • Ability and interest in coaching/ supervision of staff to improve performance
  • Ability to interpret and analyse information, research and audit data to influence and initiate change.

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Moorgreen Hospital

Botley Road, West End

Southampton

Hampshire

SO30 3JB


Employer's website

https://hiowhealthcare.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Moorgreen Hospital

Botley Road, West End

Southampton

Hampshire

SO30 3JB


Employer's website

https://hiowhealthcare.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


For questions about the job, contact:

Hiring Manager

Debbie Barrett

Deborah.Barrett@southernhealth.nhs.uk

07912609842

Date posted

11 April 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£46,148 to £52,809 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

348-SS-7602

Job locations

Moorgreen Hospital

Botley Road, West End

Southampton

Hampshire

SO30 3JB


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)