Health Visitor Interview Questions & Answers


Health visitors are registered nurses or midwives with an additional specialist public health qualification who work with families with children aged under five to promote good health and prevent illness. A huge part of being a health visitor will be providing care and support for families with new children, offering advice and guidance from pregnancy to primary school.

They advise parents on breastfeeding, weaning, potty training, teething, common childhood health problems and various other issues that new parents might face. They’ll also help tackle issues such as bereavement, postnatal depression and violence in the family.

Health visitors work closely with other health professionals to ensure that needs and requirements are met.

Whether you're a job seeker preparing to be interviewed for the role of Health Visitor or an employer preparing to interview candidates for Health Visitor position, these Health Visitor interview questions will help you prepare yourself for the job interview session.

Health Visitor Interview Questions

Below are a list of some skill-based Health Visitor interview questions.

  1. Can you describe your experience as a Health Visitor and highlight some of your key responsibilities in previous roles?
  2. What is your approach to building relationships and establishing trust with families in order to provide effective health and well-being support?
  3. Can you discuss your knowledge of child development and milestones, and how you incorporate this knowledge into your assessments and interventions?
  4. How do you collaborate with other healthcare professionals, such as doctors, nurses, and social workers, to ensure coordinated and holistic care for families and children?
  5. Can you explain your approach to assessing the health and well-being needs of families, including conducting home visits, health checks, and developmental screenings?
  6. How do you provide guidance and support to parents and caregivers on topics such as breastfeeding, nutrition, immunizations, and child safety?
  7. Can you discuss your experience in identifying and addressing safeguarding concerns, including recognizing signs of abuse or neglect and taking appropriate action?
  8. How do you promote and support mental health and emotional well-being for families, including providing counseling or referrals to appropriate resources?
  9. Can you provide an example of a challenging case you encountered as a Health Visitor and how you successfully navigated the situation to ensure the well-being of the family and child?
  10. How do you stay updated with current research, guidelines, and best practices in the field of public health and child development, and how do you apply this knowledge in your practice?
  11. You visit a new mother who appears overwhelmed and struggling with postpartum depression. How would you approach the situation and provide appropriate support and guidance?

    • How would you assess the mother's mental health and determine the severity of her postpartum depression?
    • What resources or interventions would you recommend to help her manage and overcome her condition?
    • How would you involve and support the family members in addressing the mother's mental health concerns?
  12. You encounter a child during a home visit who shows signs of developmental delay. How would you approach the situation and initiate appropriate interventions?

    • How would you assess the child's developmental milestones and identify areas of concern?
    • What strategies or activities would you recommend to stimulate the child's development and enhance their skills?
    • How would you collaborate with other professionals, such as occupational therapists or speech and language therapists, to provide comprehensive support?
  13. A family you visit has limited access to healthcare services and struggles with financial constraints. How would you address their health and well-being needs within their limitations?

    • How would you assess their overall health status and identify priority areas for intervention?
    • What community resources or programs would you recommend to help the family access necessary healthcare services?
    • How would you provide education and support to empower the family in managing their health effectively?
  14. During a home visit, you notice signs of neglect or unsafe living conditions for a child. How would you handle this situation and ensure the child's safety and well-being?

    • How would you approach the topic with the family and gather necessary information to assess the child's situation?
    • What immediate actions would you take to ensure the child's safety, such as involving child protection services?
    • How would you provide ongoing support and assistance to the family during this challenging time?
  15. You encounter a family with limited knowledge of proper nutrition and unhealthy eating habits. How would you educate and support them in adopting a healthier lifestyle?

    • How would you assess the family's current eating habits and nutritional knowledge?
    • What strategies or resources would you recommend to promote healthy eating practices and provide nutritional education?
    • How would you involve and engage the family members to create lasting behavior change?
  16. A family you visit has concerns about their child's behavior and struggles with discipline. How would you address these concerns and provide guidance on positive parenting techniques?

    • How would you assess the child's behavior and determine underlying factors contributing to their difficulties?
    • What techniques or strategies would you recommend to promote positive behavior and effective discipline?
    • How would you support the parents in implementing these techniques and address any challenges they may face?
  17. You visit a family with multiple children, and the parents express concerns about sibling rivalry and conflicts. How would you help them manage these dynamics and promote harmonious relationships?

    • How would you assess the nature and severity of the sibling conflicts within the family?
    • What strategies or activities would you suggest to foster positive sibling relationships and reduce rivalry?
    • How would you involve the parents and guide them in effectively mediating and resolving conflicts among their children?

These interview questions assess a candidate's knowledge, experience, problem-solving skills, critical thinking abilities, communication skills, empathy, and their approach to real-life scenarios that Health Visitors commonly encounter. It evaluates their ability to navigate complex family dynamics, provide appropriate support and interventions, and advocate for the health and well-being of families and children.

Health Visitor Interview Questions and Answers

Every interview is different and the questions may vary. However, there are lots of general questions that get asked at every interview.

Below are some common questions you'd expect during Health Visitor interviews. Click on each question to see how to answer them.

  1. Why Do You Want To Leave Your Current Job?
  2. What is Your Greatest Strength?
  3. Tell Me About Yourself
  4. Why Do You Want This Job?
  5. Are You a Leader or a Follower?
  6. What Is Your Greatest Accomplishment?
  7. What is Your Salary Expectation?
  8. Do You Have Any Questions for Us?
  9. Why Should We Hire You?
  10. What is Your Greatest Weakness?