We are looking for an experienced and motivated nurse who can work autonomously and has exceptional assessment and communication skills to join our dedicated Looked After Children Nurse Team in West Sussex. The post holder will be responsible for a caseload of Looked After Children and Young People (0-18 years), completing their statutory review health assessments and driving forward the health care plan in partnership with the Local Authority, as well as other clinical work to improve health outcomes. Experience of safeguarding children and multi-agency working is essential to this role.

The successful candidate will need to demonstrate a passion for the speciality as well as relevant experience and a working knowledge and understanding of the guidance and legislation surrounding Looked After Children.

This is a countywide community service and a willingness to travel by car is essential. It is anticipated the post holder will be based at Worthing with the opportunity to access the Chichester or Haywards Heath bases as needed.

This will be a part time post, 25.5 hours per week.

Interviews will be held in December, 2024

Main duties of the job

The post will be a specialist role in promoting the health of babies, children and young people who are in the care of the local authority (Looked After Children). The post holder will work collaboratively across the Health and Social Care setting with a wide range of professionals and agencies within the public and private sector to ensure that Looked After Children receive the appropriate services in order to reach their full potential.

About us

We are the main provider of NHS community services across East and West Sussex. Our 6,000 staff serve a population of 1.3 million providing essential medical, nursing, and therapeutic care to adults and children.

Our Trust vision is to provide excellent care at the heart of the community, helping people plan, manage, adapt to changes in their health, supporting avoidable hospital admissions and reducing hospital stay times.

We have opportunities for everyone across our wide variety of services including medical, clinical, support and corporate services.

Why work for us?

• Positive 2022 NHS Staff Survey results, scoring highly in compassionate culture & leadership, and staff wellbeing support
• Variety of working environments across the community, in patients' homes, within our community hospitals and bases across the county
• Supportive flexible working patterns such as: part time, flexi time, annualised hours, and flexi retirement options
• Excellent training and development opportunities
• Research opportunities
• Cost-effective workplace nurseries in Crawley, Hove and Brighton
• Thriving BAME, Disability and Wellbeing, LGBT+ and Religion and Belief staff networks
• Level 3 accredited Disability Confident Leader, committed to creating inclusive workplaces
• Veteran Aware Trust, achieving accreditation from Veterans Covenant Healthcare Alliance (VCHA)
• Located in stunning Sussex, with easy access to the South Downs and the coast
• Access to a wide range of benefits and discounts for NHS staff

Job description

Job responsibilities

The post holder will develop, coordinate, and facilitate access to a broad range of health services in order to ensure Looked After Children, care leavers and unaccompanied asylum seeking childrens needs are met working towards positive outcomes for this vulnerable group.

The post holder will lead on the delivery and co-ordination of review health assessments for children and young people across West Sussex and beyond the boundaries of the county, liaising with partner agencies and organisations.

The post holder will contribute to the delivery, co-ordination and evaluation of training to staff and carers on health issues specific to children and young people in care ensuring a competent and fit for purpose workforce.

With the support of the Named Nurse and Doctor for Looked After Children, the post holder will be a point of contact for health, social care provider services, police and families to answer health queries specific to Looked After Children supporting the interface between key stakeholders.

Please see attached containing the detailed job description and main responsibilities for this vacancy.

Person Specification

Qualifications and/or professional registration

Essential

• Registration on either Part 1 of the NMC register as a registered children's nurse or mental health nurse (in mental health organisations) or Part 3 as a SCPHN having completed a specific programme with a child and family focus

Experience

Essential

• Significant experience related to caring for babies/children and young people and relevant experience with looked after children and young people
• Completed specific post-registration training relevant to looked after children
• Educated to masters level or working towards.
• Experience of Child Protection Case Management
• Experience of delivering specialised healthcare for unaccompanied asylum seekers.

Skills and Knowledge

Essential

• Knowledge of key legislation and policy relating to Looked After Children
• Knowledge and understanding of key issues facing children in care & the impact on children, families and carers
• Knowledge of the health needs of Looked After Children
• Clear understanding of the principles of safeguarding children/child protection
• Knowledge of child health and development, particularly attachment theory & early emotional development.
• Knowledge of adolescent health and development, particularly emotional health and risk taking behaviours
• Excellent workload management skills and abilities
• Excellent interpersonal skills particularly when engaging with children, and their carers & families
• Ability to analyse and interpret complex and sensitive information and respond and liaise accordingly and appropriately
• Ability to provide highly effective specialist clinical practice for vulnerable babies and children
• Ability to act as an educator to a wide range of colleagues, staff , families and carers at differing levels of complexity
• To demonstrate the ability to work independently and as part of a multi-disciplinary, multi-agency team

Other requirements

Essential

• Full clean driving licence and use of a car for work

Employer details

Employer name

Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Bridge House

Barrington Road

Goring-by-Sea, Worthing

BN12 4SE

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

150-CP1371-PC