Insider perspectives: Qualitative insight from health visitor practice teachers and managers in 2012/13

Abstract

This study was conducted to understand the impact of the Health Visitor Implementation Plan on practice in the South West of England from the perspective of practice teachers and managers. A qualitative approach was used; data from practice teachers and managers were collected via semistructured interviews and analysed using thematic analysis. Ten practice teachers and seven managers took part. Increased student numbers following the launch of the implementation plan influenced models of practice supervision, which practice teachers found challenging but also felt had unexpected benefits for the workforce. Managers recognised tensions between newly qualified practitioners and existing staff already providing services using more traditional models. The results reiterate the complex relationship between policy and practice and promote discussion around supervision models and the influence of newly qualified health visitors on the service delivery of the future.