Job summary A vacancy has become available within the Complex Health Team at Colchester Hospital for a registered professional who has expertise in supporting people with Learning Disabilities and Autism. You will work alongside specialist experts for mental health and dementia to ensure that patients with complex health needs receive the support and reasonable adjustments they require to meet their physical health needs. Some of this role will involve direct support to patients and their carers and families; there will be a strong emphasis on supporting the clinical workforce to provide appropriate care through championing, role modelling and sharing good practice. This post enables the successful applicant to work autonomously in shaping how care for people with LD&A can be delivered across Colchester Hospital, they will also have support from complex health specialists within ESNEFT and LD&A specialists from across the system. The role has been described by previous and current post holders as a "dream" post as enables them to make a difference for people with LD&A through care interventions, training and participation in local and national forums and projects. We would be supportive of requests for secondment from suitably experienced applicants. Main duties of the job You will be responsible for working with divisions to identify training needs and support the development and facilitation of training in line with statutory and mandatory requirements. The post holder will undertake governance processes to understand the quality of the service and work alongside the senior lead for safeguarding and complex health to identify areas which require focus and change. Direct contact and interventions with patients who have complex health needs in relation to LD&A and support for families, carers and staff to ensure that experience of receiving care is not limited by these needs. Expert advice and guidance for clinical colleagues to support and empower them to provide care for people with LD&A using reasonable adjustments and care planned approaches for optimal health outcomes. To undertake ongoing analysis of service information and data to contribute to the understanding of the needs of this patient group so as to ensure that care can be delivered safely, effectively and compassionately. To ensure that Trust policies and protocols are reflective of national drivers and requirements in relation to care for people with LD&A. To support colleagues through provision of educational resources and training. To represent ESNEFT in wider LD&A forums as appropriate to role. About us We are ESNEFT and we provide hospital and community health services to almost one million people across east Suffolk and north Essex. Our dedicated staff deliver care from acute hospitals in Colchester and Ipswich, community hospitals, surgeries, community clinics and in patients' own homes. We are one of the largest NHS organisations in England, employing more than 12,000 staff. We pride ourselves on supporting our staff. We offer a wide range of training and development opportunities, as well as flexible working options. Along with supporting you to achieve your career goals we offer a generous pension scheme, unsocial hours payments (where applicable), 27 days annual leave on commencement (pro rata) and access to a range of NHS discounts. Our Staff Health and Wellbeing programme offer a variety of services. Our philosophy is that Time Matters to everyone. Across the Trust, we concentrate on improving the things we do and removing those which cause time delays for our staff and patients. We are investing in our commitment to Time Matters with a partnership with leading electronic patient record (EPR) supplier Epic. This digital transformation will bring what's widely regarded as the world's best EPR system to ESNEFT, transforming life in hospital for staff and patients. If you are passionate about patient care and want to develop your skills and knowledge, then we want to hear from you. Find out about living and working here - www.youtube.com/watch?vGkPu7HphU8A Date posted 05 February 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 7 Salary £46,148 to £52,809 a year per annum Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time Reference number 432-HR2143-24 Job locations Colchester General Hospital Colchester CO4 5JL Job description Job responsibilities For full details of the responsibilities and duties of this role please see the attached job description. Job description Job responsibilities For full details of the responsibilities and duties of this role please see the attached job description. Person Specification Experience Essential Significant post-registration clinical experience of working with people who have LD&A Experience of recent involvement in practice/ service development. Experience of working with groups and individuals in a variety of roles and settings Demonstrated experience of working as an autonomous practitioner Demonstrated ability to lead and manage services Experience of professional supervision of staff Experience of audit/ evaluating clinical practice Desirable Experience of undertaking staff performance reviews and planned development of staff Experience of working with patients/ clients to develop practice Qualifications Essential Registered Nurse (LD) or Health or Social Care professional Post registration qualification / training in LD&A Formal knowledge of LD&A acquired through clinical post-graduate education Desirable Additional nursing qualification. Degree/ Masters level qualification relevant to LD&A Mentorship Qualification Relevant teaching qualification Knowledge Essential Incorporating and demonstrating competencies including person-centred care, therapeutic skills, sharing knowledge, best practice, and critical reflective practice at enhanced specialist level Ability to use a range of therapeutic skills Understanding practice and promoting person-centred and relationship-centred care Collaborative and multi-agency working Facilitator and arbitrator Enhanced knowledge of LD&A Desirable Knowledge of research methods and methodologies. Understanding of competency frameworks Experience of supporting systematic practice development/ quality improvement Person Specification Experience Essential Significant post-registration clinical experience of working with people who have LD&A Experience of recent involvement in practice/ service development. Experience of working with groups and individuals in a variety of roles and settings Demonstrated experience of working as an autonomous practitioner Demonstrated ability to lead and manage services Experience of professional supervision of staff Experience of audit/ evaluating clinical practice Desirable Experience of undertaking staff performance reviews and planned development of staff Experience of working with patients/ clients to develop practice Qualifications Essential Registered Nurse (LD) or Health or Social Care professional Post registration qualification / training in LD&A Formal knowledge of LD&A acquired through clinical post-graduate education Desirable Additional nursing qualification. Degree/ Masters level qualification relevant to LD&A Mentorship Qualification Relevant teaching qualification Knowledge Essential Incorporating and demonstrating competencies including person-centred care, therapeutic skills, sharing knowledge, best practice, and critical reflective practice at enhanced specialist level Ability to use a range of therapeutic skills Understanding practice and promoting person-centred and relationship-centred care Collaborative and multi-agency working Facilitator and arbitrator Enhanced knowledge of LD&A Desirable Knowledge of research methods and methodologies. Understanding of competency frameworks Experience of supporting systematic practice development/ quality improvement Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions. UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window). Additional information Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions. UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window). Employer details Employer name East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust Address Colchester General Hospital Colchester CO4 5JL Employer's website https://www.esneft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)