Children's Nursing, as described by the Nursing and Midwifery Council, is based upon the principle of family centred care and the belief that children should be cared for by people they know and, wherever possible, within their home environment.

Children’s nurses understand the complex relationships between personal, socio-economic and cultural influences upon child health and child rearing practices. They develop nursing and technological competence through the application of professional knowledge, skills, values and attitudes in order to empower children and families in health decisions, promoting and providing safe, effective and informed care.

Children’s nurses work in a variety of settings, across and beyond traditional boundaries, and within a multi-disciplinary and multi-agency team. In particular they contribute to child protection, in collaboration with other key professionals, respecting and promoting the rights of the child.