Job overview
We are seeking a skilled and compassionate individual to join the new NHS Children and Young People’s Gender Service (London) in the role of Youth Worker.
The Youth Worker role will play an important role in supporting young people and their families through the service. The role will involve managing a caseload of young people with complex needs, and ensure an effective care pathway is taken for individual children and young people, and their families.
The postholder must be a qualified youth worker, or registered nurse. The postholder must have completed a child protection qualification, as well as having completed a relevant Honours degree.
Applicants must have a minimum of 3 years’ experience working with children and families, and must have experience in operational management and managing organisational change. Experience of working with LGBTQ+ young people and an understanding of their needs is essential.
Main duties of the job
A new clinical pathway has been developed, informed by The Cass Review Interim Report, NHS England’s interim specification, and the expertise of clinicians across the Northern and Southern Hubs. The service will be delivered by a wide multi-disciplinary team including paediatricians, mental health practitioners, youth workers, nurses, speech and language therapists, and occupational therapists. Who patients see will depend on their needs.
Children and young people will receive an in-depth assessment and a care plan developed with them and, where appropriate, their families. Interventions may include therapy, family therapy, physical health input, or mental health support, with the team also liaising with local services. The NHS Children and Young People’s Gender Service will continue to evolve as evidence develops, so we welcome applicants with a passion for service improvement, audit and research.
The main duties are to provide support to gender-questioning children and young people, safeguarding their emotional and psychological wellbeing, and creating a safe, welcoming environment for them and their families. You will also help raise awareness and understanding of the youth team’s work, both internally and externally, ensuring young people feel supported throughout their care journey.
Working for our organisation
We are keen to make our workforce as diverse as the communities we serve, and we hope to attract applications from underrepresented groups, including people with Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic heritage, people with a disability, and people from LGBTQ+ communities. By growing an ever more diverse workforce, we’ll have a greater range of perspectives and knowledge, meaning that we can provide the children and young people at our hospital with even better care.
Our hospital is committed to creating an environment that is open and inclusive. Our staff are encouraged to engage with colleagues through the following networks: REACH (Race, Ethnicity and Cultural Heritage) ENABLED (Enhancing Abilities & Leveraging Disabilities Network), PRIDE and Women’s networks; all of which are sponsored by a member of our Executive Management Team.
We want to ensure that all of our people, regardless of their background, are seen and heard. We want to attract applicants that share our commitment to inclusion and that understand diversity is a strength that is embraced and valued.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The full job description provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience, and knowledge required. For both documents please view the attachment/s below.
Person specification
Academic/Professional qualification/Training
Essential criteria
* Qualified Youth Worker OR Registered Nurse – Child Branch/RSCN
* Child Protection qualification (minimal Level 3 training), teaching and assessment experience
* Completed relevant Honours degree
* Understanding of relevant national strategy, policy and legislation, and how this relates to the Trust’s services
Desirable criteria
* Completed / completing relevant Masters degree
Experience/Knowledge
Essential criteria
* Substantial demonstratable experience working with children and families (minimum 3 years)
* Managing organisational change
* Previous experience of developing policies and protocols
* Managing/Leading a range of staff groups
* Experience of working with children or young people who are gender questioning
* Thorough understanding of safeguarding & child protection agenda
* Clinical governance and risk management
Desirable criteria
* Teacher and/or Practise Development
Skills/Abilities
Essential criteria
* Commitment to maintaining own fitness for practise through maintaining a personal profile of practise competencies
* Ability to negotiate effectively with different disciplines
* Ability to work across organisational and professional boundaries
* Professional credibility with multi-professional teams
* Able to manage time effectively
* Able to delegate appropriately
* Highly professional role model
* Understanding of appropriate health and safety legislation
* Understanding of equal opportunities