Go back East of England Community Health and Care NHS Trust (Cambridge)
Children in Care Nurse
The closing date is 04 May 2026.
We are looking for a dedicated Children in Care nurse to work within the wider 0‑19 Service. The role involves assessing, planning and implementing holistic health care plans for children and young people, delivered in schools, homes, clinics and other appropriate settings. Statutory health assessments and promotion of health and wellbeing for children and young people are key responsibilities.
Main duties and responsibilities
* Establish clear and effective communication links with young people, parents/carers, social care staff and a range of other professionals from voluntary and statutory organisations.
* Listen to and consider sensitive issues, communicating these to the appropriate persons/agencies to protect children and act on disclosures appropriately.
* Keep accurate and up to date electronic and written records; provide written reports as requested by Service Leads.
* Utilise a range of communication methods with colleagues and managers, including electronic communication.
* Assess, plan and implement interventions and programmes of care for young people within the care system, up to the age of 25 years.
* Identify relevant health and social issues for children leaving care and recognise indicators of child and adult abuse, initiating safeguarding measures in accordance with policy.
* Undertake community visits, including outside normal working hours, in line with the EEC Lone Workers Policy.
Key relationships
* Internal: Named Nurse for Children in Care, Service Manager for Children in Care, all members of the 0‑19 teams, Safeguarding Children Lead Professionals, all members of the Primary Health Care Team, Health Promotion, Child Health Departments, Child Development Centres, Community Paediatricians, all Directorates within EEC, Child and Adolescent Mental Health, commissioners and practice‑based commissioning team.
* External: Child Services, Education, Police, Bedfordshire Local Authority, Family and Children Centres, Acute providers, midwifery services, Youth Offending Team, Children in Care Team and voluntary agencies.
Analytical and Judgemental
* Use professional judgement to identify solutions to day‑to‑day problems, seeking advice where necessary.
* Lead team objective setting and achievement of common goals.
* Participate and lead steering groups and research programmes that influence service and policy development.
* Assess events, using a problem‑solving approach, making appropriate referrals.
* Monitor and highlight risk areas for discussion at meetings; bring them to management’s attention.
* Assist in providing education and support following accidents and incidents.
Planning and Organisation
* Plan and organise workload for self and team; respond to fluctuations in workload and resources.
* Manage programmes of care to meet identified need.
* Assist in delivering local implementation plans for the Bedfordshire Children and Young People’s Plan in collaboration with senior managers.
* Report appropriately all incidents and near misses that may compromise safety.
* Assume Lead Professional role where appropriate as defined in Every Child Matters documentation.
* Maintain personal professional updating and undertake mandatory training as required.
* Act autonomously, adhering to Trust policies in a variety of settings.
Patient and Client Care
* Demonstrate an evidence‑based approach to practice to develop a high standard of nursing practice.
* Practice cultural awareness in relation to client needs.
* Undertake health assessments of Children in Care and Young People Leaving Care.
* Communicate effectively with young people; facilitate their participation in decision‑making appropriate to their age and ability.
* Act as an advocate for the rights and welfare of young people.
* Share information with multi‑agency colleagues and partners.
* Identify the need for specialist support and take appropriate action for complex situations (sexual health, emotional or mental health, developmental difficulties, disability).
* Respond to adverse life events, including the impact of family health history and parental lifestyle choices.
* Offer appropriate health promotion advice based on physical, developmental, emotional and mental health needs/risks.
* Show understanding of the interdependence between health, education and social care.
* Maintain professional records in line with Trust and NMC policies.
* Undertake health promotion/education activities aligned with local and governmental targets.
* Contribute to inter‑agency assessments and risk analysis.
* Provide empathy and support for Children in Care and their carers.
* Conduct developmental assessments and emotional wellbeing screening across 0‑25 years.
* Contribute to statutory health assessments and care plan implementation; provide reports or attend statutory Reviews as requested.
Workforce
* Support team in induction and orientation of new and junior staff; participate in their development.
* Support and facilitate training of the wider skill‑mix team.
* Assist in staff appraisals/supervision when directed by the Named Nurse for Children in Care.
Budgetary Responsibility
This post does not carry any financial responsibility in relation to budget control.
People Management
* Attend mandatory training and pursue continuing professional development in line with NMC requirements.
* Maintain professional accountability and a portfolio for re‑validation.
* Provide mentorship and community experience for pre‑registration students.
* Use reflective practice and participate in management, clinical and child protection supervision.
* Participate in an annual Appraisal to identify learning and training needs with the Named Nurse for Children in Care.
Research & Development Activity
* Support the Named Nurse for Children in Care in audit/research and benchmark clinical practices to improve quality.
* Participate in regular audits of caseload/workload to ensure effective resource use.
* Use evidence‑based practice and ongoing audit to ensure interventions achieve positive health outcomes.
* Undertake satisfaction surveys of service users as required.
* Work within local/national service frameworks and clinical governance plans.
* Carry out research projects as required.
* Complete and return statistical information as requested.
Strategic and Organisational Responsibilities
* Identify changes in workload that may impact effective and safe caseload management.
* Be aware of ethical and legal responsibilities.
* Adhere to Trust policies and guidelines at all times, e.g. Incident Reporting.
* Be prepared to be flexible within contracted working hours.
* Undertake other duties as required by the needs of the service.
Clinical and Practice Governance
* Observe and maintain strict confidentiality of patient/family/staff records in line with the Data Protection Act.
* Ensure data handling complies with Trust Information Governance and Information Security policies.
* Adhere to Trust risk assessment and risk management processes.
* Adhere to infection control policies and procedures.
* Maintain registration with the NMC and uphold the NMC Code.
Person Specification
Emotional and Self‑Awareness
* Demonstrates empathy for others and respects feelings and circumstances.
* Has realistic knowledge of personal strengths and areas for development.
Other
* Car owner/driver with a full, current driving licence and insurance; ability to travel across Bedfordshire, sometimes at short notice.
Qualifications and Training
* NMC registration.
* Evidence of continuing professional development.
* Knowledge of child development.
* MSPP/ENB 998 or other relevant teaching/assessment qualification.
* SCPHN qualification (health visitor or school nurse).
Experience
* Interest in health promotion, child health and family support.
* Experience working within the 0‑19 Service.
* Experience of undertaking statutory health assessments for Children in Care.
* Demonstrated awareness of confidentiality issues.
* Evidence of assessment of care needs, planning, implementation and evaluation of care plans.
* Experience working in a healthcare or early years setting with multi‑disciplinary teams.
* Good understanding of the social and cultural sensitivities affecting children/families.
Knowledge and Skills
* Written and oral communication skills, including record keeping, report writing, data collection and evaluation.
* IT literate with knowledge of MS applications.
* Effective communication with children and parents/carers; good interpersonal, influencing and negotiating skills.
* Evidence of critical reasoning and problem‑solving skills.
* Understanding of NHS and current health policies and priorities.
* Good time management; ability to prioritise workload to meet deadlines.
* Ability to work flexibly as part of a team and independently using initiative.
* Ability to communicate with people from diverse ethnic groups.
* Presentation, audit and evaluation skills; advanced IT skills (MS Word, Excel, SystmOne).
* Ability to identify/develop health promotion activities.
Safeguarding
* Ability to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults.
* Appreciates the significance of safeguarding and interprets it accurately for all children and young people/vulnerable adults regardless of circumstances.
* Compliant with safeguarding level 3 training.
* Knowledge of relevant legislation relating to Children in Care (e.g. Children Act 1989, 2004; Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000; Adoption and Children Act 2002; Children and Families Act 2014).
Working within Professional Boundaries
* Accepts responsibility and accountability for own work and defines responsibilities of others.
* Recognises limits of own authority and seeks and uses professional support appropriately.
* Demonstrates professional curiosity and understands the principle of confidentiality.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires a Disclosure and Barring Service check.
East of England Community Health and Care NHS Trust (Cambridge)
£39,959 to £48,117 a year, pro‑rata
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