SCPHN: 0-19 Orientation Short Course (Health Visitors and School Nurses)

Course Overview: 0-19 Orientation Short Course (Health Visitors and School Nurses)

This comprehensive, practice-based short course is designed for qualified health visitors or school nurses seeking to expand their professional competencies and enhance their ability to meet the public health needs of children and young people aged 0-19. The course allows practitioners to demonstrate their experience in delivering public health services, as part of their Continuing Professional Development (CPD).

Course Description:

This course enables participants to work across the entire 0-19 age range, integrating knowledge and practice in a seamless public health service model that spans health visiting and school nursing. Through the successful completion of a work-based portfolio and at least 50 days of documented learning across the 0-19 public health services, participants will demonstrate their ability to address the needs of children and young people in partnership with local authorities, social care, education, and voluntary sectors.

Local authorities are responsible for commissioning public health services for children and young people, creating opportunities for cross-sector collaboration. In this evolving landscape, health visitors and school nurses are expected to adapt to a more integrated role that supports the well-being of children from birth to 19 years of age. This course is designed to meet the demand for professionals who can navigate these changing service requirements and deliver a cohesive, coordinated response to public health challenges.

In the alternate field of practice:

• Specialise in early intervention and the prevention of ill health.
• Work with diverse communities affected by health inequalities.
• Lead specialist public health practice with collaboration and targeted interventions. 
• Maximise partner relationships and deliver care in homes and communities.
• Use therapeutic communication and child development knowledge to empower family wellbeing. 

To access this short-course, you need to be supported by an employing NHS organisation (hence have NHS contract for the length of the course).

Course Structure:

• There is no planned face to face delivery, students will complete the work-based learning and submit a portfolio to evidence this
• Students will create six 750-word (+/-10%) critical reflective accounts based on the spheres of influence in the NMC (2022) Standards of Proficiency for SCPHN.
• Work-Based Learning: Participants will engage in a minimum of 50 days of work-based learning, under the supervision of experienced practice assessors and supervisors from the alternative field of practice within their employing NHS trust or organisation.
• Portfolio Documentation: Successful completion of a comprehensive portfolio documenting evidence of work-based learning is required to demonstrate competence in the 0-19 public health services. This will be recorded through a Practice Assessment Document where all proficiencies will be evidenced.

Key Themes:

This short course offers the opportunity to demonstrate your knowledge, understanding and application of skills in the alternative field of SCPHN practice (0-5yrs or 5-19yrs), against the 6 Spheres of influence (NMC, 2022). These will be evidenced through critical reflections, discussions, testimonies and observations.

6 Spheres of Influence:

• Sphere A - Autonomous specialist community public health nursing practice
• Sphere B - Transforming specialist community public health nursing practice: evidence, research, evaluation and translation
• Sphere C - Promoting human rights and addressing inequalities: assessment, surveillance and intervention
• Sphere D - Population health: enabling, supporting and improving health outcomes of people across the life course
• Sphere E - Advancing public health services and promoting healthy places, environments and cultures
• Sphere F - Leading and collaborating: from investment to action and dissemination You will be supported to consider your knowledge and understanding of concepts such as:

Course Support:

• Orientation & Supervision: Learners will be supported by a designated course leader and practice assessor throughout the course, with regular feedback to ensure the development of skills and knowledge.

Applied Learning and Placement Opportunities:

Participants will complete placements within their employing Trusts, but will also have opportunities to observe and gain insights from alternative learning experiences in various public health settings. This approach ensures that learners gain exposure to a wide range of practice contexts and perspectives and achieve the necessary Standards of proficiency.

Fees and Funding for 2025/26

Further details

For further information please contact the module leader Pat Day - p.day@shu.ac.uk