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Specialist Health Visitor - Special Educational Needs & Disabilities
The closing date is 27 July 2025
Bedfordshire 0-19 Services are excited to offer the right candidate the opportunity to join our team in a newly developed role as a Specialist Health Visitor for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
We are looking for an experienced and innovative health visitor with a specialist interest in SEND, to support our workforce in delivering a high-quality, evidence-based service. In this role, you will have the chance to be a clinical expert, leading and influencing a team that delivers evidence-based services to support children.
You will also collaborate closely with partner agencies including parent carer forums to build effective systems that empower and support families.
Should we receive a high number of applications, we reserve the right to close this vacancy at any point after the 21st July 2025.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will provide clinical leadership in the Bedfordshire 0-19 service with a specific focus on children with special education needs (SEND).
The Specialist Health Visitor will be the clinical expert responsible for ensuring the 0-19 service delivers an evidence-based and high-quality service in screening for and identifying needs appropriately.
The post holder will have some strategic responsibility in liaising with partner agencies to ensure robust system-wide support is accessible to families.
About us
Rated 'Outstanding' by the Care Quality Commission, we are proud to provide high-quality innovative services across most of the east of England that enable people to receive care closer to home and live healthier lives.
There's one reason why our services are outstanding - and that's our amazing staff who, for the seventh year running, rated us incredibly highly in the national staff survey.
If you share our passion for innovative and high-quality care delivery, then please submit your application and join us on our exciting journey as a leading-edge specialist community provider. All are welcome to apply, and our promise to you is a culture which prioritises staff engagement and development.
Job responsibilities
Main Duties and Responsibilities
* Provide leadership and management for early identification, assessment, support, intervention, and review for children with SEND and their families.
* Develop and implement strategies and programmes of care to improve Health Visiting service provision in respect of SEND through education and health promotion.
* Act as a resource and provide an advanced level of knowledge on specific diseases and conditions to support and guide the 0-19 team to improve service delivery and ensure better outcomes for children with SEND and their families.
* Work closely with the 0-19 teams to support clinical practice, ensuring excellence in SEND practice for children and their families, and provide evidence-based care, holding a small caseload for families requiring extra support due to SEND needs.
* Establish referral pathways to refer clients to other agencies as appropriate.
* Take an organisational leadership role to optimise partnership working with CCS Specialist Children's Services, Children's Social Care, Children with Disabilities teams, the Local Authority SEND provision, Early Years specialist nursery provision, and the voluntary sector through formal networks, task and finish work, pathway development, communication, and updates.
* Ensure excellent communication with a wide range of organisations including Luton and Bedfordshire Local Authorities, voluntary groups, health professionals, and the public, keeping CCS informed of any developments relating to SEND, e.g., specialist nursery provision.
* Lead in specialist education and training across the 0-19 service to support the development of knowledge and practice.
* Work in partnership with the Practice Lead team to develop training to meet the needs of the commissioned service in SEND delivery.
* Facilitate the dissemination of information regarding conditions, support groups, local and national initiatives to parents and colleagues.
* Collaborate with the Co-production (Start with People) team regarding services for SEND families.
* Work within a clinical governance framework embedded in day-to-day practice, ensuring continuous improvement in service quality and safeguarding standards.
* Coordinate SEND Champions meetings (every 3 months) and deliver training for wider teams. Establish up-to-date local support and facilities within each locality with the assistance of SEND Champions.
* Evaluate the impact of the role on improving outcomes for children with SEND.
* Develop a more specialised service based on clear evidence of need, in partnership with commissioners, and evaluate its impact on outcomes.
* Work with the data management team to generate reports, analyse service delivery, and implement improvements.
* Analyze data reports for service development, ensuring data quality, completeness, and accuracy, and making service delivery improvements accordingly.
* Contribute to achieving national and local health initiatives and targets.
* Plan and organise workload, supporting staff and responding to workload and resource fluctuations.
* Manage packages of care to meet individual needs, which may involve complex coordination with other professionals and agencies.
* Undertake the role of Lead Professional as appropriate (per Every Child Matters).
Communication
* Anticipate communication barriers and use interpreters or tools as required.
* Liaise and make appropriate referrals within Bedfordshire Community Services and with other agencies, e.g., midwives, GPs, Local Authority, Children's Centres.
* Support and teach clients and students as needed.
* Maintain accurate records of communication in line with NMC legislation and organisational policies.
* Represent the health visiting service in multi-agency settings and provide clinical and professional input as needed.
* Ensure clear communication channels with clients and carers.
* Handle sensitive issues appropriately, ensuring child protection and safeguarding policies are followed.
* Utilise a range of communication skills, including negotiation, formal presentations, and problem solving, to facilitate positive outcomes.
* Use various communication methods, including electronic communication, with colleagues and managers.
* Attend relevant meetings and ensure organisational communication protocols are followed.
The role does not involve financial responsibility related to budget control.
Additional responsibilities
* Supervise and manage skill-mix staff within the team.
* Assist in recruitment, induction, and development of staff.
* Mentor pre-registration students.
* Provide clinical supervision and practice support for students and staff.
* Maintain own professional development and participate in appraisals.
Research & Development Activity
* Conduct surveys and audits to influence policies and ensure evidence-based practice.
* Gather evidence to support advances in nursing and team performance.
* Assist in delivering audit and development programmes aligned with governance frameworks.
Clinical and Practice Governance
* Maintain confidentiality and adhere to Data Protection, IG, and risk management policies.
* Comply with infection control policies.
* Maintain current registration with the NMC and keep it active.
* Participate in mandatory and role-specific training.
* Engage in clinical and safeguarding audits.
* Provide families with information on standards and participate in safeguarding supervision.
* Participate in emergency preparedness as required.
Person Specification
Qualifications & Training
* Willingness to undertake additional training as needed.
* Practice Assessor or equivalent qualification and experience.
* Experience in clinical supervision.
Experience
* Experience working with families with SEND.
* Involvement in developing and implementing SEND pathways.
* Knowledge of relevant legislation, safeguarding, and policies.
* Experience in project development or health promotion groups.
Knowledge & Skills
* Effective communication skills at a senior level with agencies.
* Ability to work with diverse clients and settings.
* Excellent oral communication skills, including sign language or use of interpreters if needed.
* Participation in audit and research activities.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to a DBS check due to the nature of the role and legal requirements.
Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust
£47,810 to £54,710 per annum, pro-rata
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