Over the past eight years, there has been a 40 per cent decline in the health visiting workforce.
Data published by NHS England shows a fall from 11,192 full-time equivalent health visitors in October 2015, to 6,688 in April last year.
A lack of career progression for health visitors, low pay and high caseloads are key drivers behind challenges in recruitment and retention for the sector, according to the Institute of Health Visiting (IHV).
An IHV survey of health visitors found almost nine in 10 believe there are not enough people in the role currently. Health visitors also report that one in five children are missing out on vital health reviews due to staff shortages.
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