Specialist Community Public Health (SCPHN) Programme Health Visiting & School Nursing
Qualified registered nurses or midwives are invited to apply to undertake the Specialist Community Public Health (SCPHN) Programme. You will gain a Specialist Public Health Nursing Qualification in Health Visiting or School Nursing, and you will be joining a service that is both forward-thinking and innovative with a strong commitment to training.
We are looking for registered Nurses or Midwives who are innovative, motivated, and enthusiastic about the public health agenda. You will require a think family approach and have a desire to improve health outcomes for children, families, and young people in Devon.
Main duties of the job
You will be given a 12-month fixed term contract Agenda for Change Band 5 to undertake a PGDip Specialist Community Public Health Nursing Course (Health Visitor or School Nursing) at the University of West of England. The 52-week programme commences September 2025 and is completed September 2026, consisting of academic study and clinical placement within a Healthy Child Programme 0-19 locality team in various settings across Devon. You will be allocated a Supervisor and Assessor who will offer support and guidance in achieving learning outcomes for practice.
Note we are only recruiting for trainee school nurses in the Exeter / East Devon Locality and Health Visitors are Devon wide.
Successful completion of the Programme will lead to registration on Part 3 of the NMC Register.
About us
* Employee Assistance Program
* Preceptor Programme
We are proud to have received a CQC rating of 'good' across all domains at our recent inspection.
* DCC embraces the positive benefits of a diverse workforce and is committed to providing an environment that is inclusive and safe. We welcome applications from people who share our commitment to stop discrimination, challenge inequality and promote diversity across Devon.
* Happy to Talk Flexible Working - The Council offers flexible working arrangements in terms of when and where people work e.g. hybrid working, part-time, condensed hours etc.
* We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
* This role requires the ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence and fluency in English.
* For more information about Working for Devon please visit our Working for Devon page.
* This role requires a DBS disclosure.
Job responsibilities
The Student Specialist Community Public Health Nurse (SCPHN) is a Registered Nurse or Midwife undertaking a full-time training course consisting of practice and theory components. The course will require attendance in an educational setting for academic modules and clinical learning at practice placements within Public Health Nursing teams in Devon County Council (DCC). The Academic provider is determined by the employing organisation (DCC) and students are not able to study with an alternative academic provider.
On successful completion of the course, the post holder will be eligible to register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) as a Registered Specialist Community Public Health Nurse (Health Visitor or School Nurse).
To work under the supervision of a Band 6 Specialist Community Public Health Nurse: School Nurse/Health Visitor within a locality Public Health Nursing Team, and with partner agencies where appropriate e.g. Midwifery, Children’s Social care Early Help, school leadership teams.
To support delivery of the Healthy Child Programme (HCP) 0-19 (DH 2010) thereby improving outcomes for children.
To work as part of a team to ensure that Key Performance Indicators and the Devon Public Health service level agreement are met and evidenced.
To contribute to the Public Health Agenda, meet Public Health targets and reduce health inequalities in partnership with key agencies meeting National agendas.
To promote the protection of children, adhering to Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023 and Devon’s Safeguarding Children’s Partnership Board policies and procedures.
To support service development, quality assurance to deliver a high-quality needs led, safe and effective service to all client groups.
Main duties and responsibilities:
Under the supervision of the SCPHN Practice Educator and Supervisor, contribute to the assessment of health needs and formulation of care plans for children, young people, their families and communities. This includes the implementation of programmes of care, offering support and advice to parents and families in the home, clinic, school or community setting i.e. parenting skills, public health, group work and community clinics.
Under the direction of the SCPHN Practice Educator and Supervisor, offer advice and support to children, families and adults in accordance with evidence-based practice.
In collaboration with the Public Health Nursing team, identify individuals and groups within the community where integrated working and advice would benefit the interests of public health and promote healthy living, in particular seeking to identify disadvantaged groups and address health inequality.
To identify where clinical measurements are outside of expected parameters and develop and implement appropriate care plans, seeking supervision and support as required.
Attends and contributes to Public Health Nursing team meetings to learn and share knowledge and identify areas of potential development.
Ability to demonstrate increasing skills and knowledge in assessment and decision-making in relation to family health needs, safeguarding and caseload management.
Participate in data collection, research, audits, surveys and service user feedback.
Conduct appropriate research and evidence base to underpin academic studies and practice competencies.
Attend academic and clinical study concentrating on lectures, search electronic databases for research papers, complete written assignments and practice portfolio and participate in clinical study days, in service training and mandatory training.
Keeps a daily electronic diary containing accurate record of work content and travel.
Is aware of and complies with Devon County Council policies, protocols, guidelines and procedures including Health & Safety, Fire Regulations and Child Protection policies and procedures, with support and guidance from Supervisor and/or Practice Educator.
This document is an outline of duties to indicate the level of responsibility. Duties may be varied from time to time which do not change the general character to the role or the level of responsibility entailed.
Patient Care Responsibilities:
Work within the Public Health Nurse team to deliver programmes of health promotion advice and care to children, young people and their families.
Under the guidance of the Specialist Community Public Health Nurse, plan, implement and evaluate health enhancing activities to meet health needs of the local population within scope of role and commissioned service through home visiting, community development, clinics, workshops, support groups and parenting programmes, focusing on key National and local targets.
Under the support of the Practice Educator/Supervisor, completes assessments working with multi-agency teams in supporting children in need and those at risk of significant harm, acting in accordance with current local and national guidelines/policies.
Under the support of the Practice Educator/Supervisor, supports families using the early help processes.
Communicates effectively with people who may themselves have communication difficulties, including willingness to seek out and use resources to help those whose first language is not English or those with sensory or learning difficulties, referring on cases as required.
Communicates in such a way as to support individuals, families and other members of staff.
To complete a workload profile in consolidated practice identifying needs as Universal, Targeted, Specialist.
Maintain clear and accurate records as per standards and guidelines, ensuring clear analysis and outcome for the service user.
Is aware of and respects responsibilities involved in the confidential nature of the work and an awareness of complex issues surrounding confidentiality and consent for children and young people e.g. contraception, teenage pregnancy, parental responsibility.
This document outlines duties to indicate the level of responsibility of this role. It is not a comprehensive or exclusive list. In line with the Council's strategy to have an agile workforce you may be asked to work in other areas of the Council, based on your skills and the priorities of the organisation.
Please refer to the full Job Description and Person Specification on the right hand side when completing your application.
Person Specification
Experience
* Knowledge of National and local policy in Children’s Service and of the Public Health agenda.
* Ability to apply theory to practice.
* Delivery of evidence-based practice.
* Child Protection awareness.
* Knowledge and application of clinical governance.
* Experience of working with Public Health activities.
* Experience of teaching or mentorship.
* Experience of working within a community setting.
* Experience in assessment of health needs, evaluation and action planning.
* Ability to understand and implement LSCB safeguarding guidelines and their importance in safeguarding children.
Qualifications
* Registered Nurse or Midwife educated to degree level.
* Evidence of continuing professional development and evidence of academic study within the last 5 years.
* Healthcare or nursing related is preferable.
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.
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