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Specialist Health Visitor - Special Educational Needs & Disabilities
The closing date is 07 September 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 31st August 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 and 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 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 Disability teams, the Local Authority SEND provision, Early Years specialist nursery provision, and the voluntary sector through formal networks, task and finish groups, pathway development, communication, and updates.
* Ensure excellent communication with a wide range of organisations including local authorities, voluntary groups, health professionals, and the public, keeping CCS informed of developments related to SEND.
* Lead in specialist education and training across the 0-19 service, supporting the development of knowledge and practice.
* Work in partnership with the Practice Lead team to develop training to meet the needs of the commissioned SEND service.
* Facilitate dissemination of information regarding conditions, support groups, and 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 to ensure continuous quality improvement and safeguarding standards.
* Coordinate SEND Champions meetings (every 3 months) and deliver training to wider teams, establishing local support/facilities with the help of SEND Champions.
* Evaluate the impact of the role on outcomes for children with SEND.
* Develop specialized services based on evidence of needs in partnership with commissioners and evaluate their impact.
* Work with the data management team to generate reports, analyze service delivery, and implement improvements.
* Contribute to achieving national and local health initiatives and targets.
* Plan and organize workload, supporting staff and responding to resource fluctuations.
* Manage packages of care for complex individual needs involving multiple professionals and agencies.
* Undertake the role of Lead Professional as appropriate.
Communication
* Anticipate communication barriers and use interpreters or tools as required.
* Liaise and make referrals within Bedfordshire Community Services and with other agencies to improve outcomes.
* Support and educate clients and students as needed.
* Maintain accurate records in line with NMC legislation and policies.
* Represent the service in multi-agency settings, providing professional input.
* Foster clear communication channels with clients and carers.
* Handle sensitive issues appropriately, ensuring safeguarding policies are followed.
* Utilize various communication skills for negotiation, presentations, and problem-solving.
* Use diverse communication methods including electronic communication.
* Attend relevant meetings and ensure organizational communication protocols are followed.
The role does not involve financial responsibility for budgets.
People Management
* Supervise and line-manage team members.
* Support staff development and participate in recruitment and induction.
* Mentor pre-registration students and provide clinical supervision.
* Maintain own professional development and participate in appraisals.
Research & Development Activity
* Conduct surveys and audits to influence policies and practice.
* Gather evidence for high-quality team performance.
* Participate in audit and development programs linked to governance.
Clinical and Practice Governance
* Maintain confidentiality and adhere to Data Protection, IG, and risk management policies.
* Follow infection control policies.
* Maintain NMC registration and undertake mandatory training.
* Participate in audits, safeguarding, and emergency preparedness.
Person Specification
Qualifications & Training
* Willingness to undertake additional training.
* Practice Assessor or equivalent experience.
* Clinical Supervision qualification.
Experience
* Experience working with families with SEND.
* Involvement in SEND pathway development and legislation knowledge.
Knowledge & Skills
* Effective communication with agencies.
* Ability to work with diverse clients and settings.
* Excellent communication skills, including alternative communication methods.
* Participation in audit/research.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act and a DBS check.
Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust
£47,810 to £54,710 per annum, pro-rata
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