Job summary
We are looking for highly motivated Nurses or Midwifes who are keen to develop their skills working with children and families in the community. Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust are pleased to be able to offer the opportunity to train as a Specialist Community Public Health Nurse (SCPHN) within Health Visiting in conjunction with the University of Greater Manchester (Bolton).

Please read the requirements carefully before you apply as you will not be considered if you do not demonstrate how you meet the criteria:

• Applicants must be an NMC registered Nurse (level 1) or NMC Registered Midwife and have post registration experience.
• Meet the Universities academic requirements for entry - 2:1 degree classification, or better in a relevant subject.
• For applicants whose first language is not English, the University requires an IELTS test score of 7.0 or equivalent (with no element below 6.5) is required on entry to the programme.
• This is a 12 month, full-time training course commencing January 2027 and will complete in January 2028. It consists of 50% academic and 50% practice placement and runs as a joint programme between WWL and University of Greater Manchester (Bolton).

THIS VACANCY IS SUBJECT TO FUNDING

Main duties of the job

• The post is full time only: 37.5 hours to be worked Monday to Friday. The post cannot be undertaken on a part-time basis.
• You will be paid a salary to the maximum of mid-point Band 5. All university tuition fees are paid for you. Students will be employed on a 12 month fixed term contract for the duration of the course. There is no guarantee of a permanent post at the end of the traineeship.
• Applicants must be able to travel across the Trust independently to make multiple site visits daily. This means you must hold a valid driving licence and have access to a car with appropriate business insurance. You must refer to this in your supporting statement.

Those invited to interview must be able to attend in person for one full day. There will be an unseen task followed by a formal interview session.No other dates or remote interview method will be available.

If you are passionate about the public health agenda and improving health outcomes for children, young people and families, then this may be the career choice for you. We are looking for high calibre qualified nurses/midwives who can demonstrate that they want to be at the forefront of leading the Healthy Child Programme.

About us
Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is proud to provide high-quality acute hospital and community services to the people of the Wigan Borough and surrounding areas. At WWL, our staff are central to everything we do -- we believe that happy staff make for happy patients, and this ethos underpins our culture and our success.

We have a strong, recognised track record in staff engagement and in living our values:

• People at the Heart
• Listen and Involve
• Kind and Respectful
• ONE Team

We are committed to placing patients at the heart of every decision and delivering safe, effective care that protects dignity and enhances experience. We seek to recruit people who share our values, our passion for high-quality care, and our belief in working together as One Team.

At WWL, we recognise the strength that comes from a rich and diverse workforce. We welcome applications from all sections of society and are dedicated to creating an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive.

Details
Date posted: 28 September 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 5
Salary: Depending on experience
£32,073 - £34,592 per annum, pro rata
Contract: Fixed term
Duration: 12 months
Working pattern: Full-time,
Flexible working
Reference number: 302-26-8261764S-MCFW
Job locations: Chandler house, Poolstock Lane, Wigan, WN3 5DX (with cross site travel)
Wigan
WN3 5HL
United Kingdom

Job description
Job responsibilities
Duties and Responsibilities
Students must successfully complete the 50% taught theory and 50% practice elements of the programme before they can register and practice as a Specialist Community Public Health Nurse.

Throughout the Specialist Community Public Health Nursing programme the student must experience practice in a range of different settings and areas of practice to enable them to develop understanding of the breadth of Specialist Community Public Health Nursing practice.

To develop an understanding of the principles of working in partnership with others to prevent the occurrence of needs and risks related to health and well-being.

Clinical Practice
To enable the Specialist Community Public Health Nursing student to develop the skills and competencies to:

• Provide comprehensive assessments of the health needs of clients.
• Raise awareness about health and social well-being and related factors, services and resources.
• Raise awareness about the actions that groups and individuals can take to improve their health and social well-being.
• Develop, sustain and evaluate collaborative work.
• Collaborate in a multi-disciplinary environment to ensure children are safeguarded.
• Develop capacity and confidence of individuals and groups, including families and communities, to influence and use available services, information and skills, acting as an advocate where appropriate.
• Identify and evaluate service provision and support networks for individuals, families and groups within in the local area.
• Identify individuals, families and groups who are at risk and in need of further support.
• Develop and sustain relationships with groups and individuals with the aim of improving health and social well-being.
• Undertake screening of individuals and populations and respond appropriately to findings.

Communication
To develop the knowledge and skills that are essential to enable the Specialist Community Public Health Nursing student to:

• Communicate complex information to children, parents, guardians, patients, carers, colleagues and other professionals acknowledging barriers to understanding.
• Communicate condition related information to clients and relatives that requires empathy and reassurance for example, issues relating to child abuse and mental health issues where there could be emotive or hostile issues.
• Have the knowledge and clinical skills for assessing and interpreting any acute or other client focused problems giving advice and planning any further actions as required.
• Utilise problem solving and analytical skills used to assess clients with complex assessments that also require interpretation and comparison to offer clients choice and ownership of care.

Leadership
To develop the knowledge and skills that are essential to enable the Specialist Community Public Health Nursing student to:

• Lead and manage projects to improve the health and well-being of a defined population.
• Develop the knowledge and skills required to support change management.
• Develop the knowledge and skills required to manage teams, individuals and resources ethically and effectively.

Clinical Governance / Quality
Students must adhere to the WWL's organisation policies and procedures and the University regulations.

Standards:

• Maintain professional accountability in all matters relating to client care.
• Participate in the development of service standards.
• Maintain knowledge on and participate when possible in quality initiatives including benchmarking and audit.
• Develop, sustain and evaluate collaborative work.
• Collect and structure data and information on the health and well-being and related needs of a defined population.
• Analyse, interpret and communicate data and information on the health, well-being and related needs of a defined population.

Education, Training and Development
Students must undertake all theoretical and practice components of the programme within the given timeframe.

To undertake mandatory training as per requirements.

Professional Responsibility
The post holder must maintain patient records according to NMC guidelines.

Be aware of and act in accordance with the NMC Code Standards of conduct, performance and ethics for Nurses and Midwives.

Responsibility for Health & Safety
Compliance with the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 the post holder is required to fulfil a proactive role towards the management of risk in all of their actions. This entails the risk assessment of all situations, the taking of appropriate actions and reporting of all incidents, near misses and hazards, and a statutory duty of care for their own personal safety and that of others who may be affected by their acts or omissions.

Work Circumstances - 37.5 hours Monday to Friday. Travel expected borough wide.

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• Applicants must be an NMC registered Nurse (level 1) or NMC Registered Midwife
• Meet University academic requirements for entry for specialist community education and practice. 2:1 degree classification, or better in a relevant subject.
• For applicants whose first language is not English, the University requires an IELTS test score of 7.0 or equivalent (with no element below 6.5) is required on entry to the programme.

Desirable

• Mentor/teaching qualification, or equivalent, or equivalent work-based experience

Knowledge
Essential

• Ability to demonstrate a clear understanding of the Specialist Community Public Health Nurse role - Health Visiting
• Demonstrates knowledge of key health policy relating to Health Visiting
• Demonstrates knowledge of safeguarding policy and procedures
• Understanding of the wider determinates of health

Desirable

• Previous experience of safeguarding children or adults

Experience
Essential

• Post registration experience
• Previous experience of working with children and families
• Evidence of continuing professional development

Desirable

• Experience of working in a community setting.

Skills
Essential

• Demonstrates excellent communication skills both written and verbal.
• Shows their ability to prioritise and plan their own workload.
• Demonstrates their ability to work in partnership with other agencies and members of the multi-professional team
• Demonstrates their ability to work cohesively within a team.
• Demonstrates robust decision-making skills.
• Ability to study independently at Level 7 (masters level)
• Competent IT Skills
• Demonstrates their leadership skills within their current or previous roles.

Desirable

• Previous study at level 7

Additional
Essential

• The ability to travel by car independently to various locations.
• The ability to take responsibility for your own learning and to exercise independent judgement in the investigation, analysis and evaluation of Specialist Community Public Health Nursing Practice

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

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: Wrightington Wigan & Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Chandler house, Poolstock Lane, Wigan, WN3 5DX (with cross site travel)
Wigan
WN3 5HL
United Kingdom
Employer's website: http://www.wwl.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact:
Team Leader
Zara Austin-Bond
zara.austinbond@nhs.net
07795603412

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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).