New health visitor jobs announced - graduate jobs

The Government plans to take on more than 4,200 new health visitors over the next four years, which could be good news for healthcare graduates.

Public health minister Anne Milton said the Health Visitors Implementation Plan was aimed at "rejuvenating" the workforce.

She said the plans were aimed at supporting new recruits and current health workers, but were also targeted at former employees in a bid to encourage them to return to the profession.

Ms Milton, a former nurse, said the plans would include the introduction of an improved career structure, which would particularly help to tackle concerns that some already in the profession feel undervalued under the current system.

The plans would also see links between Sure Start children's centres and health visitors improved.

Launching the strategy, Ms Milton said: "Health visitors play such an important role - they give families that vital extra bit of support they need in their children's early years. We need more of them so they can reclaim their role in the heart of our communities and at the centre of family life.

"As well as new recruits, we also want to encourage those who have left the profession to return. And we will offer existing health visitors the chance to refresh and develop their skills - helping to improve career opportunities and retention.

"Now is an exciting time to join what promises to be a rewarding, dynamic and essential service."