Job summary
hours per week.
Anexciting opportunity has arisen for a nurse to join the proactive, dedicatedChildren in Care Nursing team, and work with us to improve the health andwellbeing of children and young people in care and Care Leavers. You will undertake the statutory reviewhealth assessments, follow up any health needs identified and work with otherprofessionals to provide interventions that can make a difference to a child'slife.
Applicants are encouraged to contact the Children in Care nursing team to find out more about the role and responsibilities of this post.
This role may not be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route, please refer to the Direct Gov website for more information with regards to eligibility.
Main duties of the job
The successful candidate will:
Undertake Review Health assessments as detailed in the statutory guidance, 'Promoting the health and wellbeing of Looked after Children' (updated 2022), for children aged from 6 months to their 18th birthday using atrauma informed approach.
Compile andimplement comprehensive, holistic health plans.
Providehealth interventions as required for children and young people in care
Work in partnershipwith Social Workers, foster carers and other professionals who work with thechild.
Offerappropriate health promotion advice on a range of factors affecting children inthe care system.
Participatein multi-agency meetings relating to children and young people in care and careleavers.
Develop anddeliver training on factors affecting the health and wellbeing of children incare to a range of professionals who might work with children in care.
You will beexpected to work flexibly to ensure children in care can be seen at times oftheir choosing.
Please beaware that this work can have a significant emotional impact; regularsupervision is provided.
You areencouraged to contact nurses in the team to discuss the role.
Please note that interviews will be held in September and will comprise of a formal interview and a presentation to a young people's Panel.
About us
Livewell Southwest is an independent, award-winning social enterprise providing integrated health & social care services for people across Plymouth, South Hams & West Devon, as well as some specialist services for people living in parts of Devon & Cornwall. With teams in community hospitals, GP practices, sports centres, health & wellbeing hubs.
As an organisation with a strong social conscience, we always value being kind, respectful, inclusive, ambitious, responsible and collaborative. Transforming services to make them sustainable, ensuring that we value, support & empower each other.
We are committed to involving the people we care for, families & carers in everything that we do, working towards co-production where we can. Helping us to deliver the right care for people, in the right place & at the right time. By putting people at the centre of what we do, we ensure to support people to lead, healthy independent lives & be the very best at helping people to live well.
Valuing our employees making an investment in their development a priority. We offer:
Protected CPD time for registered staff
Various development pathways and ongoing regular training packages for all staff
Leadership & mentoring programmes
Access & funding for training including Care Certificate, Assistant Practitioners Course & Scholarship Into Nurse Training
A Robust Preceptorship
A bespoke induction programme
Existing members of the NHS Pension Scheme can continue their membership when they join the organisation.
Job description
Job responsibilities
As a Specialist Children in Care Nurse, the post holder will have excellent communication skills in order to provide empathetic, trauma-informed health advice and support to children and young people in care and care leavers.
The post holder will complete comprehensive statutory review health assessments and health interventions with children and young people in the care of Plymouth Local Authority and to those placed in Plymouth by other authorities, as detailed in "Promoting the health and wellbeing of Looked After Children" (updated 2022).
The post holder will provide expert clinical advice, deliver health education and work in collaboration with partner agencies (Childrens Social Care teams, Fostering, Education, and other statutory and voluntary organisations) who work with Children in Care.
The post holder will be required to take a lead role in compiling and implementing health plans for this very vulnerable group of children and young people. This will be achieved by improving the co-ordination, access and delivery of health care to Children and Young People in Care and Care Leavers, both living in and out of area who are the responsibility of Plymouth Local Authority, and those placed in Plymouth by other Local Authorities.
Responsibility for People Management
1. Work with other health and social care professionals to ensure improved health outcomes for Children in Care and Care Leavers
2. Support and advise colleagues in the clinical assessment and care of children and young people, as part of own clinical role, whilst being clear about others personal clinical professional accountability
3. Supervision and/or mentoring of team members/students
4. Plan and deliver training for health staff, foster carers and Social Care staff about the health and wellbeing of children in care
5. Work with other professionals to evaluate training and adapt provision to meet the learning needs of participants.
Responsibility for financial and/or physical resources
To take responsibility for the safety and security of equipment, including phones, laptop, measuring equipment and other devices issued by Livewell, and to report any faults in a timely way.
Responsibility for administration
To plan the health assessments allocated on a weekly basis, ensuring they are undertaken within statutory timescales
To liaise with other professionals to ensure a robust health assessment is undertaken
Formulate meaningful individual healthcare plans and monitor their implementation
Review health records, compile and analyse holistic health chronologies and provide written comprehensive reports detailing the implications of the information for the childs current and future health and wellbeing,
Ensure records are written contemporaneously and that they meet Safer Information standards
Responsibility for people who use our services
Able to communicate and engage effectively with children and young people in care, ensuring that they have the opportunity to participate in decisions affecting them as appropriate to their age and ability.
Undertake holistic statutory Children in Care health assessments, including those for children with complex healthcare and social needs
Work in a trauma-informed way with children and young people
Work flexibly to ensure visits are undertaken at times that are convenient for children, young people and carers
Know about the health needs of specific groups such as children with disabilities, children affected by antenatal influences such as drugs and alcohol, refugees and unaccompanied asylum seekers, minority ethnic groups and adopted children
Identify health needs and refer children as appropriate
Act as a facilitator to enable children and/or their carers to access appropriate health services for the child
Understand how birth family health history, mental health and parental lifestyle choices impact on the childs health and development
Understand how primary carers health and lifestyle issues impact on children and young people
Understand the attachment model with reference to children who have experienced neglect and trauma, and the lifelong impact of insecure or disordered attachments
Work in partnership with carers in residential units and foster families to support Children in Care
Work with health services and partner agencies to provide support and interventions to meet the needs of Children in Care
Interpret and communicate on a broad range of health information in a social and education context
Contribute to the Life Story work of Children in Care
Work with multiagency colleagues to support young people leaving care, providing support to access specialist advice on contraception and sexual health, promoting physical and mental health, enabling access to GP services and facilitating transfer of care leavers with complex needs, including those with disabilities, to adult services
Responsibility for implementation of policy and/or service developments
6. Actively seek out research evidence and best practice in promoting the health and wellbeing of children in care and those undergoing adoption NICE/SCIE guidelines
7. Understand relevant child-care legislation, information sharing, information governance, confidentiality and consent in relation to Children in Care
8. Understand the needs and legal position of young people, particularly those aged 16 years and over, and the transition between children's and adult legal frameworks including respective service provision
9. Understand how Education, Health and Care plans and continuing health needs assessments affect Children in Care
10. Contribute to the dissemination and implementation of organisational policies and procedures
11. Have an understanding of the requirements of the role as detailed in the inter-collegiate document: Looked after Children: Roles and competencies of Healthcare Staff (2020)
At all times and in relation to the roles and responsibilities listed, work with the Designated and Named Professionals for Children in Care
Other Responsibilities
12. Contribute to processes for auditing the effectiveness and quality of services, including audits against national guidelines, as directed by the Named and Designated Professionals for Children in Care or other Livewell managers.
Appraisal and personal development
13. Competences should be reviewed annually as part of a staff appraisal in conjunction with an individual learning and development plan. The annual appraisal should be undertaken by the Named Nurse, or from a professional with specialist knowledge of Children in Care
14. Undertake further education, training and learning appropriate to their role
15. Participate regularly in peer support and education networks for specialist professionals at a local and regional level according to professional guidelines (attendance should be recorded)
16. Meet the organisations requirements for training attendance
17. Attend relevant local, regional, and national continuing professional development activities to maintain competences
18. Receive regular supervision and undertake reflective practice
19. Recognise the potential personal impact of working with Children in Care on self and others, and seek support and help when necessary
Communication and relationships
20. Communicate effectively with children and young people, including those with complex needs language difficulties, learning and behavioural difficulties and where English is not their first language
21. Be adaptable, sensitive and flexible to meet the specific needs of the child, in particular adolescents and young adults
22. Convey complex information in an accessible manner to young people, professionals and other adults involved in caring for Children in Care and those undergoing adoption
23. Advise other agencies about the health management of Children in Care
24. Contribute to multi-agency meetings or reviews
25. Work with health service professionals and multi-agency partners as part of a team
26. Contribute effectively to an Education, Health and Care plan for a child in care
27. Ensure advice is available to the other professionals across the organisation on day to-day issues about Children in Care
28. Work closely with the lead for children and/or safeguarding within the health care organisation
Physical demands of the job
Ability to respond to quickly changing circumstances, such as the admission of a child into care, or one who moves placements, to ensure the childs health needs are assessed, understood and appropriate interventions initiated
Work flexible hours and evenings when required, according to the needs of the service.
Driving, sometimes long distances, to visit children and/or carers
Use of various computer systems for prolonged periods
Please see supporting information for full Job Description and Person Specification.
Person Specification
Knowledge
Essential
29. Knowledge of:
30. The health needs of Children and Young People in care and Care-Experienced young people
31. Factors affecting the health and development of children who have experienced trauma or neglect
32. Child development ages birth to 18 years
33. Attachment theories
34. Current legislation and guidance related to children in care and safeguarding children.
35. Evidence of continual and professional development.
36. Understanding of equality and diversity.
Desirable
37. Knowledge and experience in child and adolescent mental health
38. Knowledge of early neurological development and the impact of trauma and neglect
39. Adolescent brain development
40. Trauma recovery model
Qualifications
Essential
41. Qualified to diploma/degree level as Registered General Nurse, Registered Childrens' Nurse or Registered Mental Health Nurse.
42. Level 3 training in Safeguarding children
Desirable
43. Post Registration qualification in Specialist Community Public Health Nursing or other qualification related to child care and development.
Experience
Essential
44. Experience of working in the community, including working with children or young people with complex emotional needs.
45. Evidence of working autonomously
46. Experience of multi-agency working
47. work with children who are subject to Child Protection procedures
48. Evidence of trauma-informed work with children and families
Desirable
49. Have experience in undertaking health assessments for Children in Care
50. Experience of working with children and adolescents who require additional support to engage with health services
Specific skills
Essential
51. Interpersonal and communication skills.
52. Information and technology skills
53. Skills in influencing and motivating others.
54. Caseload management.
55. Assessment skills in child growth, development, emotional and physical well-being.
56. Health promotion skills.
57. Ability to travel the geographical area
58. Flexibility in working hours to meet the needs of the client group
59. The ability to deliver training to those working with children in care
60. Recognise the potential personal impact of working with Children in Care and Care leavers on self and others, and seek support and help when necessary
Desirable
61. Training related to contraception and sexual health advice.
Additional requirements
Essential
62. Attend relevant local, regional, and national continuing professional development activities to maintain competences
63. Attend regular Practice supervision and undertake reflective practice