Job Overview
An exciting opportunity has arisen to appoint a Health Navigator as part of Hillingdon Children’s Social Care (CSC) Family First reforms. This post will support the strengthened approach to the way safeguarding services are delivered to children, young people, and families in Hillingdon. The postholder will work at the forefront of this transformed model of CSC, collaborating closely with partners across CSC, education, health organisations including the Integrated Care System (ICS), police, and other partner agencies to embed effective, joined‑up support for children and families. This post will have responsibility to ensure high quality safeguarding children practice is delivered across our Hillingdon services.
We are seeking an experienced and motivated safeguarding child practitioner who can provide expert safeguarding children health advice. This is a full‑time role which will require a dynamic and responsive practitioner. You will require a high level of safeguarding children experience to meet the requirements of this role.
Cost allowances (HCAS) will be at the Outer London rate. Whilst the role is based in Hillingdon, travel across other sites will be required.
If you are someone with a passion for ensuring the safeguarding needs of all children, this could be the job for you. You will be well supported within the role by the Head of Safeguarding Children, as well as benefitting from other Named Professionals within the Trust.
Main Duties of the Job
To provide expert safeguarding children advice and strategic leadership within Hillingdon as part of the Multi‑Agency Child Protection Team. To work within Hillingdon Local Authority as a health navigator for the health economy. To collaborate closely with partners.
There may be need to support Trust wide safeguarding services when needed / cover is required.
To provide safeguarding children professional advice, education and training to maintain clinical excellence for all staff who have direct and indirect involvement with children and their carers. In addition, to provide support (on issues regarding health) to all staff in various agencies who work with children and their carers.
To work closely / collaborate with CNWL Named Professionals / Named Doctors and Safeguarding Children Advisors to ensure that high quality evidence‑based and effective health services are delivered to safeguard children.
To promote Think Family and promote the voice of the person within health service delivery.
To provide information and assurance, to the Designated Nurses, in relation to the effectiveness of commissioned services that will improve the safety, health and wellbeing of children.
Contribute to the work of the local Safeguarding Children Partnership (SCP) and undertake any health contribution, as required.
Working for Our Organisation
Our catchment area spans diverse communities, with over 100 first languages spoken. We are committed to providing services that meet the needs of the people who use them, and we actively encourage involvement from local people who can help make a difference. We’re proud of our diversity and we continue to undertake new initiatives to advance equality for LGBT+, BME and people with disabilities to promote good relations and understanding between our staff.
We offer a generous relocation package (subject to eligibility assessment) and flexible working options. See attached Staff Reward and Well‑being Handbook detailing our benefits, discounts and wellbeing initiatives for staff.
Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities
* Provide specialist health expertise in relation to safeguarding children, acting as a health navigator by offering advice, guidance, consultation, signposting, and threshold discussions.
* Lead on the development, implementation and evaluation of CSC reforms that support effective and healthy systems and processes that embed a culture of continuous improvement. Understand and actively promote the key principles of the Family First culture.
* Collaborate with staff and partner agencies to embed systems that deliver high‑quality, person‑centred care that is safe, compassionate, accountable, respectful, and fair.
* Work with MACPT/ MASH / MAH development group to standardise practice and report to Safeguarding Committees.
* Interpret and analyse health information from multiple sources to provide a clear clinical perspective.
* Provide expert advice on information sharing that safeguards children and enables professionals to share information safely in line with legislative responsibilities.
* Apply professional curiosity to explore, question, and appropriately challenge health information or safeguarding responses where necessary.
* Ensure the voice and lived experience of children remain central to all safeguarding practice.
* Role model and practice cultural competence and be respectful of the beliefs, practices, and cultures of diverse communities. Recognise, and respond to, issues linked to the cultural identity of people.
* Support/attend strategy discussions or Child Protection Conferences where there may be drift or identified significant risk and health expertise is needed. These would usually be attended by a health representative that knows the family best.
* Challenge decisions and escalated concerns where health risks are not adequately addressed or where health partners have not been able to contribute.
* Promote and develop effective inter‑agency working and learning in relation to safeguarding children.
* Foster strong senior‑level working relationships to support strategic direction, policy interpretation, and social care reforms.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential Criteria
* Significant experience working with children in relevant community or specialist area.
* Involvement in planning and producing and delivering training programmes.
* Understanding health needs of children at risk of harm.
* Experience of delivering clinical / safeguarding children supervision.
* Experience of completing audits, case reviews.
* Leadership / change management skills.
* Knowledge and experience of developing guidelines, policies and procedures.
* Safeguarding Children supervision course.
* Experience of working in MASH or with Children's Social Care.
* Evidence of CPD / professional development / relevant further qualifications.
* Understanding and knowledge of Families First Partnership.
* Evidence of multi‑agency working experience.
Desirable Criteria
* Staff management / line management experience.
* Post registration training relevant to safeguarding children.
* Educated or working towards Master’s level of expert practice.
Qualifications
Essential Criteria
* Registered Nurse.
* Educated to a degree level.
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