Responding to the support needs of front-line public health nurses who work with vulnerable families and children: a qualitative study

Background: This paper reports on a research study to inform the development of a specialist role to support front line public health nurses (PHNs) working with vulnerable families and at risk children in Ireland.Aims: This study aimed to investigate the position of a leading role and explore the implications of such change.Methods: Focus group and semi-structured individual interviews were conducted with ten purposively selected participants in public health nursing, social work and a non-governmental children's organisation working in disadvantaged areas in Dublin.Results: Assistant directors of public health nursing are in a key position to inform decisions regarding the children's services.Conclusion: Access to support and appropriate supervision are fundamental resource requirements for PHNs who work with vulnerable families and at risk children. The introduction of a specialist-leading role to support these PHN's is essential to sustaining best practice.