Overview
As a Children in Care (CIC) specialist nurse you will assess, plan, implement and evaluate health care for children and young people in care, from school age through to post‑16 and care leavers, ensuring a holistic and continuous health‑care plan.
Key Responsibilities
* Provide health advice, information, signposting and referral to CIC and their carers.
* Support social work colleagues by ensuring health needs identified at initial or review assessments are addressed promptly with ongoing follow‑up.
* Attend new‑into‑care planning meetings and assist in compiling information for quality initial health assessments.
* Participate in statutory CIC health reviews, care‑planning meetings, CSE and Missing from Care strategy discussions; produce written reports as required.
* Ensure all CIC are up to date with immunisations and organise or administer outstanding vaccinations in line with Department of Health guidelines.
* Establish a drop‑in facility in children’s homes and monitor emotional health using Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire scores.
* Represent the band 7 CIC specialist nurse at meetings when required.
* Collaborate with the lead specialist nurse to deliver CIC training and support professional development for health professionals, social workers and foster carers.
* Provide professional leadership and health advice/support to health visitors, school nurses and social workers.
* Operate within the legal, professional and ethical framework established by the Department of Health, Nursing and Midwifery Council and local health‑trust policies.
* Assist with audits and strategic planning groups to improve quality standards for CIC health services.
* Encourage community involvement in decision‑making, including children, young people and carers.
* Manage a caseload of CIC, including school‑aged children, 16+ NEETs, and Unaccompanied Asylum Seekers.
* Conduct comprehensive health assessments for CIC within the borough and those placed in Bridgewater, making evidence‑based clinical decisions.
* Engage in flexible working, including travel outside the borough, evenings and weekends.
* Record clinical observations, maintain nursing records and reports, and exercise independent prescribing rights where authorised.
* Provide health promotion and advice to looked‑after children and young people not accessing mainstream education.
* Support development, implementation, review and updating of CIC processes and procedures.
* Maintain clinical excellence through continuous development of specialist skills.
* Offer health‑related training, supervision and shadowing to other professionals.
* Establish effective networks with health, social care and voluntary agencies.
* Communicate sensitive information to children, young people, carers and staff to enable joint care decisions.
Professional Requirements
State registration as a registered nurse, experience in children and young people in care (CIC), competent prescribing, and the ability to work within NHS policies and data‑protection regulations.
Working Conditions & Benefits
Flexible hours including evenings and weekends, travel outside the borough on occasion, opportunities for independent prescribing, and ongoing professional development.
Equal Opportunities
Equal opportunities employer. The NHS is a legally compliant, diverse, and inclusive workplace.
Compliance & Governance
All relevant NHS Confidentiality Code of Practice, data‑protection regulations, health‑and‑safety duties, and safeguarding policies apply to this role.
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