Working in Public Health Nursing
The Public Health Nursing Service provides Health Visiting and School Nursing services across Devon. We deliver universal child and family health services, provide ongoing additional services for vulnerable children and families, and work to safeguard and protect children. The team is made up of Health Visitors, School Nurses, Staff Nurses and Community Health Workers.
Here in Devon, we strive to deliver an excellent service to the children, young people and families living in our community. Public Health Nursing in Devon affords amazing variation allowing you opportunity to make a difference to the lives of families and communities across both rural and urban locations. Devon is varied with health inequalities and affluency which cross paths across the varied landscape. With two coastlines, Dartmoor and Exmoor, as areas of natural beauty we have an amazing landscape to frame your working day.
Why our people
Do it for Devon
It is a very rewarding job and I enjoy the continuity of care aspect, where I’m usually able to see the positive impact, our involvement may have– Anerie Jones, SCHPN School Nurse
Our values and ways of working
We pride our service on being one that is innovative and progressive, with a real drive to focus on service improvement and to explore innovative ways to achieve this. Some staff tell us that people genuinely care about each other, and this is reflective of the community spirited nature of Devon as a whole.
Professional development is a high priority for us, and we provide a range of training opportunities and in-house expertise that will support your own professional development.
Continuous Service for all new staff joining from the NHS
From June 1st 2024, all new staff joining Devon County Council (DCC) from the NHS will maintain their continuous service for calculation of DCC sick pay entitlement and DCC Maternity/Adoption and paternity pay entitlement.
Community Health Worker
Our Community Health Workers are qualified and skilled to support the delivery of the Healthy Child Programme, predominantly supporting families with children from 0-8 years. They work under supervision of our Health Visitors, School Nurses and Staff Nurses to support the whole family assessment, working with partner colleagues where appropriate. Find out more.
SCPHN – Health Visitor
Health Visitors are registered nurses who have completed additional training to become Specialist Community Public Health Nurses (SCPHN) in Health Visiting. They lead and deliver the Health Child Programme thereby improving outcomes for children and families, working with families antenatally until children turn 5 years of age. Find out more.
PHN Staff Nurses for School Nursing and Health Visiting
Our PHN Staff Nurses are registered nurses that support the delivery of the Health Child Programme (0-19 years) helping to improve outcomes for children. They work under the supervision of our SCPHN School Nurses and Health Visitors and with our partner agencies when appropriate. Find out more.
SCPHN – School Nurses
School Nurses are registered nurses who have completed additional training to become Specialist Community Public Health Nurses (SCPHN) in School Nursing. They work with children and young people (and their families) from 5 – 18 years of age and are supported by their Team Leader, colleague Health Visitors, School Nurses Staff Nurses and Community Health Workers. Find out more.
SCPHN – Student
Qualified nurses or midwives are invited to apply to undertake the Specialist Community Public Health (SCPHN) Programme, you will gain a Specialist Public Health Nursing Qualification in Health Visiting or School Nursing and you will be joining an organisation that is both forward thinking and innovative with a strong commitment to training. Find out more.
Career Opportunities
Looking for a Public Health Nursing career?
