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Our Public Health Nursing team has been shortlisted for a prestigious Nursing Times Award in recognition of its innovative work to improve support for babies, children and families with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

Led by Specialist Community Nurses for SEND, Kirsty Jacques and Nikki Freeman, our SEND Workstream and Improvements programme has been named as finalists in the Public Health Nursing category of the awards which aim to celebrate innovation, leadership and excellence in nursing and midwifery practice. 

Since 2021, the team has developed a nurse-led model focused on earlier identification of need, clearer pathways, practical family support and more joined-up working across services. It has transformed the way families with children aged 0–5 are supported across Hertfordshire.

Nicola Brown, Assistant Director of Children’s Universal Services at Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust, said: “We are delighted that Kirsty and Nikki’s pioneering work has been shortlisted for a Nursing Times Award. The programme is driven by listening to families and children, understanding what makes the biggest difference in their everyday lives, and building support around them in a way that is practical, inclusive and joined up.

“This programme has helped deliver meaningful support to thousands of children across the county and I’m so proud of everything Kirsty and Nikki have achieved. I know they could not have done it without the invaluable support from the Public Health Nursing service and our partner organisations.”

The programme currently supports a SEND caseload of 3,259 children aged 0–5, representing just under 5 per cent of the total Hertfordshire caseload.

Key improvements include an embedded 0–5 SEND pathway, specialist advice surgeries, SEND Champion networks, workforce training and family navigation resources to help parents and carers understand referrals, appointments and next steps. The team has also adapted resources and care approaches to improve accessibility for parents with neurodivergence, learning disabilities and differing communication needs.

The impact of the work has been recognised nationally. Kirsty and Nikki have co-established a national SEND Special Interest Group for 0–5 practitioners through the Institute of Health Visiting, presented at five national conferences and organised two conferences to address gaps in early years SEND learning.

The Nursing Times Awards finalists were announced last week and this year’s winners will be announced at the JW Marriot Grosvenor House Hotel in London later this year. The full shortlist is available to view on the Nursing Times Awards website.