PG Dip Specialist Community Public Health Nurse: Health Visiting Degree Apprenticeship
- Entry year:
- 2027/28
- Start date:
- September
- Study mode:
- Full-time
- Course duration:
- 54 weeks
- Campus:
- City
About this apprenticeship
Study at LJMU to complete a Specialist Community Public Health Nurse Qualification in Health Visiting
The course will develop autonomous specialist community public health practitioners who will be prepared to address the unique challenges of practice (beyond those of professional registration).
Study for a Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) registerable qualification in Heath Visiting
Learn from expert nurses and specialists on this contemporary course
Benefit from a curriculum praised by the NMC for its enhanced practice perspective and outstanding fitness for practice
Have your professional competencies (NMC, 2022) assessed in theory and practice
Experience practice placement
Foster critical thinking, analytical skills and reflective practice to acquire lifelong learning skills.
Develop the skills, expertise, and attributes to become inspirational role models and mentor for other practitioners seeking to achieve higher levels of competency in specialist community public health practice
SCPHN Apprenticeship Standards related to your programme: IfATE (2023) Apprenticeship Standards for Specialist Community Public Health Nurse, School Nursing (NMC 2022)
This degree apprenticeship programme will support learners within their chosen field of practice (Health Visiting) to focus on and support the holistic needs of school-aged children and young people. Learners will understand the wider determinants of health and are committed to addressing health inequalities across the life course, through health education, health promotion and evidence-based age and maturity appropriate interventions. Health Visitors collaborate and work effectively with teams and other professionals across a range of sectors and agencies.
SCPHN professionals are in the forefront of public health. SCPHNs are committed to deliver individualised care which promotes respect and autonomy of individuals and communities. Collectively they highlight the core values of SCPHN practice (NMC 2022) emphasising the importance of person-centred care, leadership, innovation, equity and continuous learning.
This is in accordance with:
Institute of Apprenticeships and Technical Education Specialist Community Public Health Nurse Standards (2022)
Standards of Proficiency for Specialist Community Public Health Nurse (2022)
Standards framework for Nursing and Midwifery Education (2023)
Standards for student, supervision and assessment (2023)
Standards for post registration nursing programmes (2023)
Career prospects
The School of Nursing, Public and Allied Health work with a wide range of health and social care organisations to design, deliver and evaluate a dynamic suite of postgraduate programmes.
The School's wide-ranging portfolio of cutting-edge postgraduate courses enables you to enhance your existing skills in the field of health and social care, develop specialised knowledge and expertise and improve your long-term job prospects.
All courses meet the needs of the current healthcare agenda and the growing demand from this ever-evolving sector for increasingly skilled healthcare professionals.
Each programme is informed by cutting edge research, ensuring you have the opportunity to study the latest developments alongside world class experts.
Modules
What you will study on this apprenticeship
You will study core modules on your programme to a total of 120 credits.
Further guidance on modules
Modules are designated core or optional in accordance with professional body requirements, as applicable, and LJMU’s Academic Framework Regulations. Whilst you are required to study core modules, optional modules provide you with an element of choice. Their availability may vary and will be subject to meeting minimum student numbers.
Where changes to modules are necessary these will be communicated as appropriate.
Core modules
Advancing Public Health, Evidenced-based Practice and Application
20 credits
20 credits
This module aims to provide you with the knowledge and skills to work as a public health practitioner in the community setting within your field of practice.
It introduces the discipline of public health and the use of evidence to improve services. You will also learn how public policy can influence health needs and service development. The wider determinants of health and health inequalities will be examined in detail. Principles and concepts of health promotion will also be covered.
Advancing Leadership and Management
20 credits
20 credits
This module aims to enhance your skills and knowledge, enabling you to take a central role in the development of practice within your working environment.
It will also provide an opportunity for you to engage in debate and discussion, so you can identify your strengths and weaknesses as a leader within your organisation.
You will further consider how you can influence and inspire others at both a local, regional, national and international level.
Advancing Specialist Community Public Health Nursing - School Nurse and Health Visitor Practice
40 credits
40 credits
To help the learner to maximise learning opportunities and experiences within their practice field. There is a necessity for the learner to be exposed to wider, complex issues within the community and how to strategically plan for care delivery.
Safeguarding and Advocacy
20 credits
20 credits
This module is to equip the SCPHN students to promote and protect children, young people and families in the safeguarding arena. It will enhance skills and knowledge in identifying risks and intervening to safeguard individuals and families.
Promoting Mental Health and Well-being
20 credits
20 credits
In this module, SCPHN students will be equipped to systematically evaluate the integration of professional, decision-making, and intervention strategies within the framework of their specialised roles. The module aims to augment students' understanding of mental health issues, cultivating an empathetic, inclusive approach. The utilization of simulation films will provide opportunities to engage in authentic, challenging conversations, thereby broadening both knowledge and proficiency in this intricate area of professional practice.
Professional accreditation
The programme is accredited by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). www.nmc.org.uk/Approved-Programmes
Your learning experience
How the apprenticeship is taught
The timetable comprises 40% theory and 60% practice.
Module teaching is on two, and, very occasionally, three specified days of the week. The university day usually runs from 9.30am to 4pm and some sessions may be accessed via Microsoft Teams. Practice days are planned for most weeks throughout the course timetable.
This approach has been developed in partnership with students, practice assessors, NHS mangers and service users. It aims to support students to balance their practice and academic work. Practice day shift patterns vary by placement area, but generally attendance is required 9am-5pm.
Courses_Apprenticeship_Support_Guidance_Subheading
An important element of the programme is to recognise and utilise the current skills of the students and to build on these competencies. Students are encouraged to share their knowledge and experiences and to network both within their peer group and externally. The teaching and learning activities will build on student experiences and will facilitate and encourage further development of existing theoretical and professional knowledge.
The use of interactive lectures and seminars, group work and problem based learning techniques help identify existing skills and, at the same time, encourage students to develop and tailor their portfolio of competencies to meet present and future challenges.
Many of the sessions are shared between the different routes of the community programmes and with other disciplines. Group discussions and workshops provide an ideal opportunity for students to gain knowledge about other specialist roles.
Applied learning
Students are encouraged to spend time working in other alternative practice areas when they are on placement. This will support students to develop key knowledge and skills that will support their future practice as a health visitor. These may include, but are not limited to, a hospice, A&E, or specialist clinic to support school age children. Tailoring your practice learning when on placement will enable you to build up a network of contacts and a greater appreciation of your role a specialist community public health nurse, school nurse and how this integrates into the complex, wider provision of health and social care.
How you will be assessed
To gain the credits required for each module you must be able to demonstrate that you have successfully achieved all learning outcomes.
Assessments on the specialist community public health nurse health visiting programme include essays, presentations, posters, professional discussions and a practice assessment document.
You will receive regular feedback on your academic progress at key points throughout the programme.
Theory assessments are awarded pass, refer or fail and practice assessments are classed as competent or not competent in each specific area.
Where you will study
Situated in the City Campus, the School of Nursing, Public and Allied Health work with a wide range of health and social care organisations to design, deliver and evaluate a dynamic suite of postgraduate courses. In addition to specialist facilities, you will find high quality meeting and seminar rooms and lecture theatres, the City Campus Library, plus a large café, IT facilities and social spaces.
LJMU's excellent educational and professional training facilities include professional-standard clinical practice simulation suites, enriched with technology-enhanced learning equipment. We use the latest clinical technology for simulations and developing clinical skills in child, adult and mental health nursing, paramedic practice, social work and midwifery.
Course tutors
Carmel Henshall leads the Specialist Community Public Health Nursing (SCPHN) Health Visiting programme, bringing a deep commitment to improving health outcomes for families, children, and communities. Since 2015/16, she has spearheaded an enrichment programme supporting health visitors and school nurses across the North West, driven by her unwavering focus on reducing health inequalities.
Over the past five years, Carmel has organised annual conferences centred on early intervention and adverse childhood experiences. These events aim to strengthen the workforce’s understanding of the parent-child relationship, emotional health, and the critical role of the SCPHN profession. Her work integrates the Solihull Approach into practice, alongside training in motivational interviewing and infant mental health, equipping graduates with advanced skills and confidence.
Carmel’s expertise has been recognised nationally. In July 2019, she presented her work on adverse childhood experiences at the RCN North West Child Health Conference at Alder Hey Hospital. She also delivered a session at the CPHVA National Conference in 2017, showcasing the use of mindfulness training to support students navigating safeguarding challenges. This innovative work led to an NMC commendation in 2018 for embedding mindfulness and self-compassion practices within the SCPHN curriculum.
Carmel has commenced a PhD in ACEs and 'opening the conversation with families' around ACEs. Carmel organises a national ACEs conference every year. She has also made videos with professional actors to highlight how to have difficult conversations with clients.
More recently, Carmel has collaborated with her team to enhance the undergraduate community nursing curriculum. She co-authored a paper with Jo Lavery exploring student nurses’ perceptions of community roles, which was presented at the international MECC conference in Barcelona in 2022.
This course changed the way I think about relationships, and actually everything I do when I’m working with families, I observe relationships in a way now I never thought was possible. I realise the importance of attachment and understanding ACEs.
Funding this apprenticeship
Apprenticeships are funded courses, with learning costs paid to the university by the employer. This is done either through the Apprenticeship levy (for large companies) or with the help of the government’s co-investment model (for smaller companies).
If you aren’t already employed by a company that is willing to sponsor you through an apprenticeship, you’ll need to find one. You can do this by regularly checking the Government’s Find an apprenticeship website.
You can also approach an employer yourself to find out whether they would be interested in offering Apprenticeships and ask them to contact us. Our team will be able to explain how they can access the correct funding and the next steps.
Information for potential employers
If an employer has a wage bill of over £3 million, it would automatically pay the Government levy and would use this to fund learning via the company Apprenticeship Service Account.
Non-Levy companies can access funding via the Government co-investment model, whereby the Government will fund 95% of the learning costs and the company will fund the remaining 5%.
To access the Government funds, non-levy paying employers are required to set up an account on the Apprenticeship Service and reserve funding for apprentices, no earlier than three months before the course start date. Find out more information regarding setting up an apprenticeship service account. LJMU will still invoice non-levy paying companies for their contribution, but without this account LJMU will be unable to draw down the Government co-investment funding for the apprentices.
Next steps and onboarding
To begin the apprentice onboarding process, the employer must first be an LJMU-approved employer. To check whether your company is already a LJMU-approved employer please check the company drop down on the online application form.
If your company is not listed, please complete/ask your employer to complete the following application form to get started. Degree Apprenticeship Employer Form
Candidate submits application form: LJMU Learner online application form.
Employer to Reserve Funding via the Apprenticeship Service /or if a levy paying organisation, register your learner via the Apprenticeship Service
Employer and Candidate complete onboarding. Further information on the onboarding process can be found on our guide for onboarding apprentices page.
Partner with LJMU
Courses_Apprenticeship_OnBoarding_DefaultEntry requirements
Please choose your qualifications below to view requirements
Qualification requirements
GCSEs and equivalents
GCSEs and equivalents.
A minimum of two GCSE's which must include Maths and English at grade C (level 4-9) or above OR level 2 Equivalency in Numeracy and Literacy.
Additional requirements
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Interview required
An interview will be conducted involving the prospective learner and the employer prior to offering a place on the programme.
Further information
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DBS Requirements
An enhanced DBS clearance is required to be evidenced as part of the admission process
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DBS, Occupational Health requirements
NMC registered nurse (level 1) or NMC registered midwife, capable of safe and effective practice at the level of proficiency appropriate to the NMC-approved Specialist Community Public Health Nurse (SCPHN) programme
Please Note: All international qualifications are subject to a qualification equivalency check.
How to apply
Securing your place at LJMU
You will apply for the course directly with your NHS Trust.
For more information, contact the programme lead directly via email - c.henshall@ljmu.ac.uk
Additional interview requirements
Applicants will be invited to interview for a place on the programme. You will asked to deliver a 10 minute presentation; the title will be given to you prior to your interview date.
You will also need to provide an up-to-date professional portfolio demonstrating progression towards a career in Specialist Community Public Health Practice and an understanding of the health visiting nursing role.
The portfolio should include relevant, practice reflections (NMC revalidation documents are accepted). You must also demonstrate that you will be able to adapt to student status.
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