Would you like to work as part of a dedicated Children in Care team within the wider 0-19 Service? This position will close on 4 May 2026.
You will be responsible for assessing, planning and implementing holistic health care plans for children and young people. Care may be delivered in schools, homes, clinics and other settings. You will undertake statutory health assessments and promote the health and wellbeing of children and young people.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
* Establish clear and effective communication links with young people, parents/carers, social care staff and a range of other professionals from both voluntary and statutory organisations.
* Listen and take into account sensitive issues and communicate these to appropriate persons/agencies, ensuring protection of children and young people and appropriate action on disclosures.
* Maintain accurate and up‑to‑date electronic and written records, providing written reports as requested by Service Leads.
* Utilise a range of communication methods, including electronic communication, with colleagues and managers.
* Assess, plan and implement interventions and programmes of care for young people within the care system, up to age 25.
* Identify relevant health and social issues within the cohort of young people leaving care.
* Recognise indicators of child and adult abuse and initiate safeguarding measures in line with policy and local safeguarding boards.
* Undertake community visits, some outside normal working hours, in accordance with the EEC Lone Workers Policy.
Key Relationships
1. Internal: Named Nurse for Children in Care, Service Manager for Children in Care, members of the 0‑19 teams, Safeguarding Children Lead Professionals, Primary Health Care Team, Health Promotion, Child Health Departments, Child Development Centres, Community Paediatricians, and other EEC directorates.
2. External: Children’s Services, Education, Police, Bedfordshire Local Authority, Family and Children Centres, Acute providers, midwifery services, Youth Offending Team, Children in Care Team and voluntary agencies.
Analytical and Judgemental Responsibilities
1. Use professional judgment to identify solutions to day‑to‑day problems, seeking advice from the Named Nurse when needed.
2. Lead in team objective setting and achievement of common goals.
3. Participate and lead in steering groups and research programmes that influence service and policy development.
4. Assess events and make appropriate referrals using a problem‑solving approach.
5. Monitor and highlight risk areas for discussion at meetings, bringing concerns to management.
6. Assist in education and support to ensure learning follows accidents and incidents.
Planning and Organisation
1. Plan and organise workload for self and team, responding to fluctuations.
2. Manage programmes of care to meet identified needs.
3. Assist in implementing local Bedfordshire Children and Young People’s Plan and collaborate with senior managers and stakeholders.
4. Report incidents and near‑misses that compromise safety.
5. Act as Lead Professional where required.
6. Maintain professional development and undertake mandatory training.
7. Autonomously undertake activities in accordance with Trust policies.
Patient and Client Care
1. Demonstrate an evidence‑based approach to nursing practice.
2. Show cultural awareness regarding client needs.
3. Conduct health assessments of Children in Care and Young People Leaving Care.
4. Communicate and engage effectively with children and young people, allowing participation in decisions.
5. Advocate for the rights and welfare of the young person.
6. Share appropriate information with multi‑agency colleagues and partners.
7. Identify need for specialist support and take appropriate action.
8. Respond appropriately to adverse life events and family health history.
9. Apply knowledge of physical, emotional and mental health needs and promote health advice.
10. Understand interdependence between health, education and social care for Children in Care.
11. Maintain professional records per Trust and NMC policies.
12. Carry out health promotion and education activities aligned with local targets.
13. Contribute to inter‑agency assessments and risk analysis where appropriate.
14. Provide empathy and support to Children in Care and their carers.
15. Conduct developmental assessments and well‑being screening for age 0‑25.
16. Assist with statutory health assessment and implementation of care plans; attend or report on Statutory Children in Care Reviews.
Workforce
1. Support the team in induction and orientation of new and junior staff and participate in their development.
2. Support and facilitate training of the wider skill mix team.
3. Assist in staff appraisals or supervision directed by the Named Nurse.
Budgetary Responsibility
None.
People Management
1. Attend mandatory training and continuing professional development in line with NMC requirements, maintaining up‑to‑date knowledge.
2. Maintain professional accountability and a portfolio for re‑validation.
3. Provide mentorship and community experience for pre‑registration students.
4. Use reflective practice and participate in management, clinical and child protection supervision.
5. Participate in annual appraisal to identify learning and training needs with the Named Nurse.
Research & Development Activity
1. Support audit/research initiatives and benchmark clinical practice.
2. Participate in regular audits of caseload and workload utilisation.
3. Apply evidence‑based practice and ongoing evaluation to ensure interventions achieve positive outcomes.
4. Undertake satisfaction surveys of Service users as required.
5. Work within local/national service frameworks and clinical governance plans.
6. Carry out research projects as required.
7. Submit statistical information as requested.
Strategic and Organisational Responsibilities
1. Identify changes in workload that may affect caseload management.
2. Be aware of ethical and legal responsibilities.
3. Adhere to Trust policies, including incident reporting.
4. Be flexible within contracted working hours.
5. Undertake other duties as required by service needs.
Clinical and Practice Governance
1. Maintain strict confidentiality of patient, family, staff and records in line with the Data Protection Act.
2. Ensure electronic data handling respects Trust Information Governance and Security policies.
3. Follow Trust risk assessment and risk management processes.
4. Adhere to infection control policies and procedures.
5. Maintain current registration with the NMC and comply with professional registration responsibilities.
All are welcome to apply.
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