2025 marked some significant milestones that has helped shape a stronger future for our specialty. 

Championing children’s health in Parliament 

2025 demonstrated our increased visibility and influence within parliamentary spaces. RCN representatives and children’s nursing members participated in key parliamentary events, ensuring that the voices of CYP nurses were firmly embedded in national discussions about health inequalities, safeguarding, mental health, disability, school nursing, and the paediatric nursing workforce. 

Through roundtables, briefings, and cross-party engagements, the RCN continued to advocate for: 

• Sustainable workforce planning that recognises the specialist skills of children’s nurses. 
• Investment in early intervention, community nursing, and school nursing. 
• Improved transition pathways from child to adult services. 
• The importance of listening to children and young people in shaping care. 
• CYP issues on the national agenda. 
• Reinforced the vital role of children's nurses across the UK’s health systems. 

Influencing policy through consultations 

The RCN’s children’s nursing community has contributed to a wide range of policy consultations, including proposals on child mental health, specialised commissioning, emergency care redesign, vaccination strategies, or public health initiatives, bringing frontline insight to policymakers. This ensure that children’s nurses continue to shape the frameworks that govern clinical practice, education, and service design, highlighting the unique needs of children and young people. 

Sharing knowledge through key publications 

2025 also saw the publication of several RCN resources and guidance documents supporting CYP nurses in their professional practice. These publications—spanning topics such as safer staffing, clinical skills, safeguarding, long-term conditions, and working with families—have strengthened the evidence base for care and supported learning at all career stages. 

The RCN continues to help services deliver safe, effective, and child-centred care. 

Celebrating excellence: WellChild Nurse of the Year sponsorship  

In 2025 the RCN sponsored the WellChild Nurse of the Year Award. This partnership celebrates exceptional nurses who go above and beyond for children with complex needs. Each year, the nominees share stories of compassion, creativity, and unwavering dedication—stories that remind us why children’s nursing is such a uniquely rewarding profession. 

Supporting this award reinforces one of the RCN’s core aims: to champion the remarkable contributions of children’s nurses and shine a light on the impact they make every single day. 

Strengthening the community - Restructuring of the CYP Forums  

Recognising the importance of strong professional networks, the RCN restructured the Children and Young People (CYP) Forums. The refreshed structure is designed to: 

• Improve engagement and representation across the four nations. 
• Create clearer pathways for members to participate. 
• Strengthen connections between practice, education, and policy. 
• Provide more responsive leadership and support to members. 

This marks a renewed commitment to amplifying member voices and ensuring that children’s nursing remains well supported across the RCN’s wider framework.  

Children's Nursing Partnership UK and the RCN's role in Europe 

The formation of the RCN's Children's Nursing Partnership UK (CNPUK), is a collaborative group that has brought together all Children and Young People's Associations that have a key role in supporting, monitoring and shaping CYP nursing care in the United Kingdom, Europe and globally. The group empowers nurses to lead with integrity, influence change, and drive continuous improvement in child health and wellbeing. 

This group through the RCN will represent children’s nursing in Europe.  

Welcoming new professional leadership 

The Professional Lead for Children and Young People’s Nursing, Rebekah Overend has brought fresh energy, new perspectives, and a clear vision for the future. With a strengthened national voice for children’s nursing, the RCN is well positioned to drive innovation, influence strategic decisions, and support the next generation of children's nurses. 

Looking ahead 

2026 provides further opportunities to advocate for services, deepen engagement with policymakers, expand resources, and support CYP nurses across all settings. With leadership and a strengthened forum structure, we are ready to build on the progress made so far. 

Children’s nursing at the RCN has never been more active, more connected, or more determined—and together, we will continue to make sure the voices of children, young people, and the nurses who care for them are heard at every level.