Real-life story - Gloria Robinson

I dealt with referrals that involved domestic abuse and working with looked after children. It was these difficult cases that led to me returning to health visiting. These experiences confirmed my belief in measures being taken at the earliest possible opportunity in children's lives, to prevent the breakdown of family life and the negative impact it has on a child's mental and physical growth and well being.

A friend of mine knew how passionate I was about child health and told me about the return to practice course, and I knew that I could use my knowledge and skills to help address families' issues which could lead to the children ultimately being taken into care.

I started a return to practice course and am now working full time in Enfield, where I did my practice placement. 

I have seen some real improvements in health visiting since returning, especially around addressing domestic abuse. There is now specific training, policies and support for health visitors in assisting women suffering from abuse. This helps us to help these women look towards a brighter future for them and their children.

The development of corporate caseloads has also enhanced team working. Health visitors talk to each other more now in order to discuss cases instead of working on their own caseload. This means we are continually learning from each other and the different cases.