Job summary
The Health and Development Practitioner will assist in the identification of health and development needs and participate in the delivery and evaluation of care interventions developed to meet those needs under the supervision of the Specialist Nurse for Early Years. Supervision may be direct/indirect depending upon competency/complexity of work. The Health and Development Practitioner will have the necessary skills, experience and qualifications to work with children who have additional and special needs, who have development delays.
This is a permanent part time post (20 hours per week) to be worked across Monday to Friday.
As this post involves multiple home visits daily, you must be able to travel independently across the Trust whilst transporting all required equipment. If you do not reference this in your supporting statement, you cannot be considered for the post.
Main duties of the job
1. Arrange and undertake advanced initial and review child health development assessments for children already identified with a development delay. These will take place in a variety of settings to suit the needs of the child, young person and family
2. Work as part of a MDT: which includes parents and carers, to provide an assessment of child's development, difficulties and needs, contributing constructive and informed assessment information to team discussions/reviews.
3. Devise programmes of play goals and assessment in line with child's developmental status, providing modelling and coaching support for parents/ carers to implement at home.
4. Undertake home visits to families to provide extra specific support as part of a planned programme of care.
5. Provide appropriate, evidenced based advice to families, in a variety of settings, on a range of topics/issues associated with SEND.
6. Provide appropriate advice to families, refer to other agencies and signpost families if appropriate.
7. Refer the child/families to other disciplines, professions, or agencies.
8. Support the organisation and delivery of SEND drop-ins/ training workshops.
9. Adhere to Local Safeguarding policy and procedure to enable relevant referrals to be made to Children's Social Care.
10. Have experience and knowledge of Specialist support and community-based services to support children with SEND.
About us
Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust are the proud providers of acute hospital and community services to the people of the Wigan Borough and surrounding areas. At WWL, we value our staff believing that 'happy staff, makes for happy patients'. We have a recognised track record in staff engagement, and living our values 'the WWL Way'.
WWL are committed to placing the patient at the heart of everything we do, and in the provision of safe, effective care that acknowledges and ensures dignity. With this in mind we are seeking to recruit people who share our values and beliefs.
At WWL we value the benefits a rich and diverse workforce brings to our community and therefore welcome applications from all sections of society.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Duties and Responsibilities Arrange and undertake advanced initial and review child health development assessments for children already identified with a development delay. These will take place in a variety of settings to suit the needs of the child, young person and family. Work as part of a multi-disciplinary team: which includes parents and carers, to provide an assessment of childs development, difficulties and needs, contributing constructive and informed assessment information to team discussions/reviews. Devise programmes of play goals and assessment in line with childs developmental status, providing modelling and coaching support for parents/ carers to implement at home. Undertake home visits to families delegated by the Specialist Nurse to provide extra specific support as part of a planned programme of care. Provide appropriate, evidenced based advice to families, in a variety of settings, on a range of topics/issues associated with Special Education Needs and Disability. Provide appropriate advice to families, refer to other agencies and signpost families if appropriate. Refer the child/families to other disciplines, professions, or agencies when appropriate to do so informing and discussing with the Specialist Nurse. Support the organisation and delivery of SEND drop-ins/ training workshops where the Health and Development Practitioner is deemed by the Specialist Nurse to be to be the most suitable person. Provide timely feedback to the Specialist Nurse on work carried out. Report to the Specialist Nurse when there are any concerns about a child (this includes environmental and safeguarding concerns etc.) Adhere to Local Safeguarding policy and procedure to enable relevant referrals to be made to Childrens Social Care. Have experience and knowledge of Specialist support and community-based services to support children with Special Educational Needs and Disability. Awareness and understanding of WWL Trust guidance and policies to incorporate into practice
Organisation of work Organise own workload effectively, ensuring a good use of time and an efficient and timely service to Children young people and families. Submit accurate performance data on a monthly basis and in a timely manner.
Leadership Contribute to effective communications with patients, relatives and members of the Health and Development Team Attend and participate in team meetings. Attend professional meetings. Assist in induction of new staff within the skill-mix team. Engages with and contributes to the development of the service. Assist in research and audit projects as required. Develop and maintain own clinical skills and knowledge using a competency framework to ensure effective care delivery .
Record Management Complete Health records paper or electronic, in compliance with WWL policy Maintain written records and provide verbal and written reports of a childs development status. Write details of a childs development status and progress and devise work sheets and care plans to support on the ongoing needs of the child. Maintain strict confidentiality for all clients. Maintain record keeping skills and knowledge by undertaking regular training.
Supervision and Development Attend for 1:1 supervision with the Team Leader. Attend and partake in group clinical supervision. Participate and engage with Personal Development Reviews identifying any training needs and ensuring they are met to maintain own clinical competence. Acknowledge own limitations and work within the confines of the remit of Health and development Practitioner and the knowledge and skills framework relevant to client cohort. Adhere to care pathways used with the service. Attend relevant in-service training and other professional seminars, lectures, courses, and study days. Complete mandatory training requirements as needed. Assist in the education of learners.
This list of duties is not intended to be exhaustive, but indicates the main areas of work and may be subject to change after consultation with the post-holder to meet the changing needs of the organisation
Planning and Organisational Duties Organise own workload effectively, ensuring a good use of time and an efficient and timely service to Children young people and families. Submit accurate performance data monthly and in a timely manner.
Responsibility for Health & SafetyCompliance with the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 the post holder is required to fulfil a proactive role towards the management of risk in all of their actions. This entails the risk assessment of all situations, the taking of appropriate actions and reporting of all incidents, near misses and hazards, and a statutory duty of care for their own personal safety and that of others who may be affected by their acts or omissions.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
11. NNEB/CACHE/BTEC/Level 3 in Childcare/Early Years (Nursery Nursing)
Experience
Essential
12. Extensive experience working within a nursery setting
13. Has experience working with children with SEND in an NHS/UK social care setting
Skills
Essential
14. The ability to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team and develop a good working relationship with other agencies
15. Excellent Communication skills
16. Able to work on own initiative
17. Good organisational skills
18. Ability to plan own workload
19. Computer literate
20. Writing and record keeping
21. Able to use evidence-based practise.
22. Ability to undertake development assessments and play constructively with children with additional needs.
Knowledge
Essential
23. Knowledge of Child Protection
24. Knowledge of child development and tools to assess.
25. Knowledge of play activities related to child development
Additional
Essential
26. Able to travel across Trust independently whilst transporting equipment
27. Speak English to an appropriate standard relevant to their role, with confidence and accuracy, using correct sentence structures and vocabulary, and without hesitation
28. Willingness to undertake continuous professional development
29. Ability to adopt a flexible approach to work