Overview
Join Us in Shaping Bright Futures for Children in Cambridgeshire! Locations: Peacock Centre, Cambridge. Full-time or Part-time Opportunities Available. Cambridgeshire Community Services (CCS) is seeking enthusiastic, dynamic, and caring Assistant Practitioners to join our dedicated skill-mix team. You'll work with families and children aged 0-5, delivering the Healthy Child Programme across South Cambridgeshire. This is more than just a job - it's a chance to transform lives, support families, and help children thrive.
As An Assistant Practitioner, You Will
* Promote the health and wellbeing of children, young people, and families through an early-help and partnership approach.
* Provide support to families facing challenges such as mental health difficulties, disabilities, or complex needs.
* Work both independently and collaboratively alongside our Health Visiting team.
We're Looking For Someone Who
* Holds an NVQ Level 3 in Child Development (or equivalent).
* Has a strong understanding of child development.
* Is confident in providing advice and guidance to families.
* Thrives both in team settings and when working independently.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will be expected to act autonomously and support the integrated 0-19 Healthy Child Programme (HCP) locality team in providing an innovative and high quality service in an environment that enhances client care and promotes child and family wellbeing. Duties include: acting autonomously in caseload management, undertaking assessment, delivering planned care packages, and providing information to families and health/social care staff; supporting clients with complex/additional needs; maintaining records; liaising with the Health Visitor/School Nurse; promoting equality, diversity and rights; planning and managing day-to-day tasks including health education events. The role also involves attending clinics and outreach locations, coordinating with the caseload holder, and developing specialist interest areas to enrich service knowledge.
Note: There is a potential close date noted in the original text: “If we receive a high number of applications we reserve the right to close this vacancy at any point after 27-10-2025.”
About Us
Rated 'Outstanding' by the Care Quality Commission, we provide high quality innovative services across much of the east of England, enabling people to receive care closer to home and live healthier lives. Our staff are highly valued and the organisation supports staff engagement and development. All are welcome to apply.
Details
Date posted: 20 October 2025
Pay scheme: Agenda for Change
Band: Band 4
Salary: £27,485 to £30,162 a year per annum, pro-rata
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time, Part-time, Flexible working
Reference number: 448-CCYP-753418
Job locations: The Peacock Centre, Brookfields Hospital Campus, Cambridge, CB1 3UG
Job Description
Main Duties and Responsibilities To assist the caseload holder in the management and delivery of care to clients autonomously. Duties may include:
* Building on existing assessment of families needs and deliver packages of planned care with no direct supervision.
* To provide and receive complex and sensitive child related information from health and social care staff; decline referral if not appropriate, requiring negotiation skills and sign posting.
* Support to clients with more complex/additional needs.
* Demonstrate motivation and behaviour change with children and families to enable self-efficacy and resilience.
* Recognise and report health and safety or risk issues.
* Write records concisely, accurately and timely in line with policy.
* Independently carry out specified assessment and intervention with Health Visitor/ School Nurse input and adapt as needed.
* Hold own caseload with support from SCPHN for those with planned packages of care.
* Hold a special interest role and support other staff within locality and service.
* Promote equality, diversity and rights; contribute to safe and dignified care; encourage positive health choices.
* Plan and manage day-to-day tasks, including organising health education events.
Specific duties
* Work independently in various settings and manage emotional/distressing circumstances.
* Make independent referrals decisions regarding the 6 high impact areas to improve outcomes.
* Attend mandatory training; maintain up-to-date clinical knowledge and skills.
* Provide support and guidance to new staff; participate in weekly allocation meetings and locality work.
* Prioritise referrals, book appointments, and assess clients in clinic/outreach locations.
* Identify unmet needs and highlight to SCPHN or Team Manager; ensure equipment is safe and compliant.
General duties
* Provide timely data on referrals and clinical activity.
* Take responsibility for health and safety obligations.
Communication
* Liaise with 0-19 HCP locality team; build relationships with parents/carers and other agencies.
* Communicate complex information effectively to teams and clients; manage barriers to communication.
Budgetary and People Management
* Minimise expenditure where possible (mileage, calls, stationery, etc.).
* Participate in annual performance reviews; attend mandatory training; contribute to service development.
Clinical and Practice Governance
* Maintain confidentiality; comply with Data Protection Act and information governance policies.
* Adhere to risk assessment and management processes; support new staff and students; participate in supervision and clinical observations; adhere to infection control policies.
Person Specification
Essential
* NNEB or equivalent
* BTEC National Diploma in Children's Care, Learning and Development
* CACHE Level 3 Diploma in Child Care and Education
* NVQ Level 3 in Children's Care, Learning and Development
Desirable
* Foundation degree in relevant area
* Care Certificate or willingness to undertake within 6 months
Experience
* Experience of working with children, young people and their families
* Autonomous working)
* Awareness of child development; understanding of public health agenda
Knowledge & Skills
* Flexible team worker; IT skills (Word, Outlook, SystmOne)
* Understanding of safeguarding; good communication/interpersonal skills
Disclosure
This post is subject to Disclosure and Barring Service checks.
Employer details
Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust, The Peacock Centre, Brookfields Hospital Campus, Cambridge, CB1 3UG
#J-18808-Ljbffr