We are looking for an experienced practitioner who is confident in their safeguarding children knowledge and skills to join our Emergency Department (ED) team as a Specialist Practitioner for Safeguarding Children.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will work as part of the ED team under professional supervision of the Named Nurse for Safeguarding Children. We are looking for someone who can provide support, supervision and training to ED staff in relation to safeguarding children. The role includes responsibility for quality assurance of children's safeguarding referrals, generated in the ED, and monitoring of themes and outcomes to contribute to development of a responsive safeguarding service . We are seeking an experienced and supportive individual who will work alongside clinical colleagues to improve their knowledge and practice around safeguarding children.

It is expected that the post holder will work within the 'Think Family' approach already established in the trust and will work with the existing Specialist Safeguarding Practitioners to support the trust to embed a culture that routinely considers children when treating adult patients.

This is an exciting opportunity for the right candidate to further develop specialist safeguarding knowledge and skills in a dynamic environment that supports professional development.

The role is 0.7 WTE (26.5 hours) to be worked across 4 days including Mondays and Fridays. Some flexibility in working hours is required to provide training.

About us

Southmead ED sees between 280-300 patients per day. We are a Regional Trauma Centre and offer our nurses a CQC commended education programme and development opportunities.

Job description

Job responsibilities

To ensure the delivery of an effective safeguarding children service which meets theneeds of individuals, families, and communities in line with local and nationaldevelopment plans, Trust policies and procedures.The post holder will provide effective leadership, to develop and sustain a positiveworking culture that holds the rights and welfare of the child as paramount.Provide specialist evidence based complex advice and support on safeguardingchildren and child protection matters on a day-to-day basis to ED staff.Lead and support ED staff to recognise, prioritise and respond appropriately tourgent safeguarding concerns including the assessment and management of risk.Develop the understanding of ED staff across a range of issues and approachesrelating to safeguarding children factoring in Early Help responses and signposting.Be responsible for providing structured feedback to individual staff, the ED team andthe Named Nurse on safeguarding referrals and themes noted in the departmentenabling increased awareness across professional groups and upward reportingthrough governance routes.To work alongside Police and Childrens Social Care / Adult Social Care colleaguesto assess risk and to share patient information when there are safeguarding concernsand provide a health perspective supporting clinical staff to engage in these processes

To establish a clear pathway of information sharing with the Children Looked Afternurses for BNSSG for Children in Care who access unscheduled care.To further develop and maintain positive relationships with the managers of FirstResponse, ART and EDT in relation to the activity in the ED.To contribute to quality improvement projects related to safeguarding practice in theED. For example, mental health and SEND, serious youth violence, contextualsafeguarding, and transition from Childrens to Adult services.To develop and maintain early help resources and information for families within thedepartment.Ensure understanding of own and others level of accountability and responsibilitywhen delegating safeguarding related tasks and duties to others, inclusive ofstudents, non-registered staff or registered staff.Contribute to trust wide safeguarding work as agreed by the Named Nurse forSafeguarding Children and the Matron of ED. For example, policy review,implementation of legislative changes to practice and mandatory safeguardingchildren training.Deputise for the Named Nurse for Safeguarding Children at partnership subgroupsand other safeguarding related meetings where the work in ED is represented.Represent the ED and trust at MARAC sharing information to safeguard the victimsand attending MARAC meetings as required.To encourage and empower all staff to develop an open and honest way of workingin partnership with families / carers, other professionals, and statutory / voluntaryagencies to safeguard children.To keep the Head of Safeguarding and Named Nurse for Safeguarding Childrenappraised of current concerns, serious incidents and trends presenting through ED.Take independent decisions and be prepared to challenge professionals at an intraand inter-agency level. Recognise areas of conflict in relation to all aspects ofsafeguarding and contribute to a possible solution.To establish effective networks with other health and partner agencies and voluntarycare providers related to ED attendances.To identify areas of good practice and thus promote beneficial outcomes for children.To attend and support as requested by the Named Nurse for Safeguarding Childrenor ED Matron any meeting under section 47 Children Act 1989 in relation to childrenat risk of or experiencing abuse / neglect.Under the direction of the Named Nurse for Safeguarding children to contribute to thecompilation of chronologies and reports in relation to reviews conducted on behalf ofthe Trust under the process of Child Safeguarding Practice Reviews, SafeguardingAdult Reviews, Local Thematic Case Reviews, and Domestic Homicide ReviewsTo assist the Named Nurse for Safeguarding Children and Matron of the ED infacilitating changes in safeguarding practice across the ED, in line with changes inlegislation, local and national polices and evidence-based practice.To conduct safeguarding children related audits within the ED as directed by theNamed Nurse for Safeguarding Children and work with the ED matron and Seniorstaff to disseminate findings and implement change to improve safeguardingprovision.To assist in the completion of multi-agency audits in relation to safeguarding practiceas directed by the Named Nurse for Safeguarding Children.To access and fully participate in own supervision to maintain and develop their ownknowledge and skills and to ensure their own safe practice.To work with ED and divisional senior staff in provision of direct support to newlyqualified or inexperienced professionals and those new to a senior leadership role inthe organisation in order for them to develop the skills and knowledge necessary forcompetence in safeguarding children.To liaise with the Learning and Development department for monitoring of staffsafeguarding training compliance.To ensure own personal and professional development is maintained and considerown training and development needs in discussion with line management.To maintain accurate and contemporaneous records in accordance with professionalbodies, e.g. NMC guidance.To contribute to the preparation of reports and papers for internal governanceprocesses.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Registered Nurse Children or RN/RNMH/RM with SCPHN (HV/SHN)
• Up to date CPD in safeguarding children level 3

Desirable

• Teaching or Training Qualification
• Post Qualifying safeguarding specific qualifications

Work Experience

Essential

• A minimum of 3 years experience managing a safeguarding children caseload with professional accountability for decision making
• Demonstrable experience managing complex child safeguarding cases
• Experience of working with families under statutory frameworks (For example Section 47/17 Children Act 1989)
• Experienced in writing for all levels of statutory assessment and safeguarding processes

Desirable

• Previous experience of emergency care or acute hospital working
• Evidence of development of leadership skills and support to junior staff/students
• Experience developing, writing, and providing teaching or training to health professionals

Knowledge and skills

Essential

• Working knowledge of latest safeguarding legislation, statutory guidance, and best practice
• Understands how to apply safeguarding knowledge to support clinical staff practice and improve outcomes for children and families
• Actively promotes the 'Think Family' agenda across their practice and understands the interface with adult safeguarding
• Understands the legal frameworks that apply to 16 and 17 year olds in hospital settings and their interface with the Children Act 1989/2004

Desirable

• Understands that governance and quality assurance principles are an integral part of all safeguarding arrangements
• Experience of audit and research

Employer details

Employer name

North Bristol NHS Trust

Address

Emergency Department, Southmead Hospital

Southmead Hospital, Westbury on Trym,

Bristol

BS10 5NB

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

339-DJF3677