Children in Care Nurse

Job responsibilities

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Participate in policy development to improve the service, and update guidelines and standard operating procedures when required.

Take appropriate action in cases of suspected or actual child abuse and work closely with Health Visitors/School Nurses and the Trust Safeguarding Team to ensure that children are protected from harm. To be familiar with the Trusts Safeguarding Procedures and attend yearly safeguarding updates.

In accordance with the needs of the service, undertake any other duties as required by the Service Manager / Named Nurse.

Adhere, at all times, to the NMC Code and Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust Policies.

In conjunction with the team, the post holder will be required to possess excellent communication skills to communicate with:

1. Internal: Named Nurse for Children in Care, Service Manager for Children in Care, all members of the 0-19 teams, Safeguarding Children Lead Professionals and Named Nurses, all members of the Primary Health Care Team, Health Promotion, Child Health Departments, Child Development Centres, Community Paediatricians, all Directorates within EEC, Child and Adolescent Mental Health, commissioners and practice based commissioning team
2. External: Childrens Services, Education, Police, Bedfordshire Local Authority, Family and Children Centres, Acute providers, midwifery services, Youth Offending Team, Children in Care Team and voluntary agencies.

The post holder will be required to:

1. Use their own professional judgement to identify solutions to a range of day-to-day problems, seeking advice where appropriate from the Named Nurse for Children in Care.
2. Lead in team objective setting and achievement of common goals
3. Participate and lead in steering groups and research programmes which influence service and policy development.
4. Be required to deal with situations where he / she will need to assess events, using a problem-solving approach, making appropriate referrals as necessary.
5. Monitor and highlight area of risk for discussion at meetings and bring to the attention of management.
6. Assist in the provision of education and support necessary to ensure learning occurs following accidents and incidents.

The post holder will be required to:

1. Plan and organise the workload for themselves and the team and be responsive to fluctuations in workload and resources.
2. Manage programmes of care to meet identified need.
3. Assist in the delivery of local implementation plans for the Bedfordshire Children and Young Peoples Plan, etc. In undertaking this role, work in collaboration with other Senior Managers, Service Leaders and stakeholders.
4. Report appropriately all incidents and near misses that may compromise the safety of staff and clients.
5. Undertake the role of Lead Professional where appropriate (as defined in Every Child Matters documentation).
6. Be responsible for own professional updating and keep abreast of current research-based practice using a variety of resources. Undertake mandatory training as required.
7. Undertake these activities autonomously adhering to Trust policies in a variety of settings.

The post holder will be required to:

1. Demonstrate an evidence-based approach to practice to enable the development of a high standard of nursing practice.
2. Demonstrate cultural awareness in relation to client needs.
3. Undertake health assessments of Children in Care and Young People Leaving Care, seeking advice and support from Named/Designated Nurse for Children in Care.
4. Able to communicate and engage effectively with children and young people, ensuring that they have the opportunity to participate in decisions affecting them as appropriate to their age and ability.
5. Able to act as an advocate for the young persons rights and welfare.
6. Able to communicate effectively and share appropriate information with multiagency colleagues and partners.
7. Able to identify the need for further specialist support, advice, and supervision in situations where the Child in Cares problems require further expertise or intervention such as in relation to sexual health, emotional or mental health, developmental difficulties and/or the disabled young people and take appropriate action.
8. Able to respond appropriately to the impact of adverse life events, including how family health history, mental health and parental lifestyle choices impact on the young persons health and development
9. Able to apply knowledge of the physical, developmental, emotional and mental health needs/risks for Children in Care and offer appropriate health promotion advice.
10. Able to demonstrate an understanding of the interdependence between health, education and social care with regard to Children in Care.
11. Maintain professional records in accordance with Trust and NMC Record Keeping Policies.
12. Undertake health promotion/education activities that are congruent with identified needs and local and government targets.
13. Able to contribute to inter-agency assessments, the gathering of information andwhere appropriate analysis of risk
14. Able and willing to provide empathy and support for Children in Care and their carers.
15. Able to conduct developmental assessments and emotional well-being health screening across the age range 0-25 yrs.
16. Able to contribute to the statutory health assessment and implementation of health care plans, and when requested contribute via report or attendance at Statutory Children in Care Reviews.

1. Support the Team in the 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/supervision when directed by the Named Nurse for Children in Care.

This post does not carry any financial responsibility in relation to budget control.

1. Attending mandatory training and continuing professional development programmes in line with the NMC requirements and take responsibility ...