Job summary
22.5 hours per week.
We are seeking a dedicated Children and Young Peoples Specialist Nurse to join our Health and Wellbeing Team at the Atkinson Secure Children's Home in Exeter.
Are you an experienced nurse passionate about supporting young people with complex needs? Atkinson Secure Children's Home offers a unique opportunity to work in a trauma-informed, multi-disciplinary environment where your expertise will directly improve health outcomes for vulnerable children and adolescents.
Atkinson is a national secure children's home managed by Devon County Council providing full residential care, healthcare and education on site in dedicated facilities. Children and young people are placed with us on Welfare Orders under Section 25 of the Children's Act and have experienced relational trauma and adverse childhood experiences and as such, the home follows a trauma recovery model with a focus on therapeutic parenting.
Working within our Health and Wellbeing Team you will provide expert clinical advice, undertake comprehensive health assessments, and deliver targeted health promotion to children and young people, working collaboratively with our multi-disciplinary team and external agencies. The role supports the delivery of personalised healthcare packages and contributes to improved health outcomes and successful transitions back into the community.
Main duties of the job
In this role you will:
- Deliver direct care and personalised health packages to young people aged 10-17.
- Complete high-quality comprehensive assessments (CHAT).
- Provide expert health advice and health promotion.
- Support transition planning for reintegration into the community.
- Work collaboratively with professionals across health, education, and social care.
- Champion a trauma-informed, strength-based approach to care that listens to and empowers young people.
You will also have:
- Experience of working with children and young people in care who require support with their physical health and wellbeing.
- Expertise in child health and development.
- Safeguarding knowledge and trauma-informed practice.
- Ability to manage emotionally challenging situations with resilience.
- Skills in health education, sexual health, and healthy relationships
We strongly encourage applicants to call us and/or visit the home to learn more about this rewarding role.
This role may not be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route; please refer to the Direct Gov website for more information with regards to eligibility.
Please note that Livewell may close the job advertisement earlier than the specified deadline if a high number of applications are submitted. Therefore, we recommend you submit your application at the earliest opportunity.
All Livewell staff are expected to be able and willing to work across a 7 day service.
About us
Livewell Southwest is an independent, award-winning social
enterprise delivering integrated health and social care services across
Plymouth, South Hams, and West Devon, with specialist services in parts of
Devon and Cornwall. Our teams work in community hospitals, GP practices, sports
centres, and health hubs.
As an organisation with a strong social conscience we are guided by our values,kindness, respect, inclusivity, ambition, responsibility, and
collaboration. We focus on transforming services to ensure sustainability, while
empowering staff and those we serve.
We involve the people we care for, along with their families and carers, in
shaping the care they receive, striving to deliver the right care at the right
time and place. Centering our work on individual needs helps people lead
healthy, independent lives.
We prioritise employees' development, offering protected CPD time, training
pathways, leadership programs, and funding for qualifications like the Care
Certificate and Nurse Training Scholarships. Our induction and preceptorship
programs ensure a smooth transition into our organisation.
Livewell Southwest values diversity and encourages applications from all
sections of the community, including those with armed forces experience, lived experience of mental
health, neuro-diverse conditions and learning disabilities. If you need assistance or reasonable adjustments during the
application process, contact the Recruiting Manager listed in the job advert.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Main Duties & Responsibilities
- Promote a trauma-informed approach in practice
- Professional accountability in relation to Children and Young People in Care
- Experience in working with children with complex needs including report writing and planning individual comprehensive personal health plans.
- Ability to manage and diffuse conflict and challenging behaviour
- To promote effective young person-centred decision-making processes
- Ability to signpost or refer to appropriate services and partner agencies
- Provide comprehensive health assessments, plans and reports and be confident in ensuring quality assurance
- To engage fully across all areas of the Home, focusing on improving the physical and mental health of all serving populations
- Ability to understand, respond to and prioritise child protection/safeguarding issues
- Work in partnership with health and non-health agencies, including non-statutory services to enhance the care of clients with complex health and social needs.
- Knowledge of Looked After Children and Child Protection legislation and guidance including:
o Intercollegiate Framework 2015
o Promoting the health 2015o Children Act 1989 & 2004
o Working Together to Safeguard Children 2019
o NICE guidelines
o Frameworks for Assessment of children in need and their families
- To promote patient and public involvement in all areas of responsibility
- To develop strong relationships with partner agencies to provide an effective co-ordination of care for children young people and families
- Sound knowledge and experience of high-quality record keeping and report writing
- Experience in CIC, Safeguarding Children and Child Protection work
- Knowledge and experience of effective multi-agency partnership working
- Promote a supportive work culture within the team
- Ability to consider the factors that have led to challenging behaviours
- Regular requirement for light physical effort including training and measuring equipment
- Clinical Governance experience and adherence to Information Governance policies and principles
- Evidence based practice and commitment to personal and service development
- Innovative approach to personal and service development
- Experience in teaching and delivering health promotion - confident in leading health promotion within the home, including a proactive care pathway around sleep, healthy eating, exercise, sexual health and smoking cessation
- Experience in collating and reporting on health outcomes
- To support medication audits and support quality assurance around medication processes as well as medicines management within the Home.
- Prioritise own workload, balancing numerous demands to meet deadlines and ensure clinical effectiveness
- Work closely with other team members to provide a cohesive service.
- Works closely with all agencies to promote inclusion and ensure young people maximisetheir potential
- Plan and contribute to training for health, social care and education staff, etc.
- Interfacing with and strengthening working relationships with nursing teams outside the local nursing services
- Ensure that the role and development of the service is in line with the Livewell Southwest and Devon County Council strategic and operational plans
- Provide specialist advice, support and signposting as appropriate
- The ability to review clinical notes to provide advice and support to the staff involved
- On receipt of information, to initiate an effective and prompt system of appropriate information sharing, to relevant trust staff, in accordance with GDPR and other national legislation and local policies
- Attend strategy/risk/review meetings where appropriate
- Have an in-depth understanding of confidentiality in relation to sharing information
- To work with relevant agencies towards a planned, seamless package of care and to seek to achieve continuity and optimum standards of care for every child
- To have a working knowledge of current national and local statute and guidance, including current Livewell Southwest and Devon County Council policies and procedures, for children in care and safeguarding children and families
- To disseminate information from relevant research and enquiries where there are implications for clinical practice
- To be aware of the potential for emotional stress, due to the nature of the role, and seek support, supervision and counselling as and when necessary
- area achieves performance as specified in contract and bed management is effective.
Responsibility for People Management
- To support effective leadership in monitoring and evaluating standards of practice and work closely with service leads to ensure such standards are met
- Participate in Personal Development Reviews
- Adheres to and works within the NMC Professional Code of Conduct and guidelines
- Provide appropriate advice and support to children and young people, carers and families as an autonomous practitioner
- Participate in supervision with accordance with employers policy and standards, consulting with line manager/professional supervisor where there are significant risks or complexity
- Responsible for own professional development and, participation in annual performance reviews and the identification of areas for professional development
- Will frequently be required to identify sudden changes in the behaviour patterns of children and interpret changes in their presentation and to respond accordingly
- Will undertake high-quality assessments and report writing on a regular basis which requires concentration for extended periods
- Frequently having to deal with children and familys anxieties and challenging behaviours
- Will be required to respond to emergency medical situations as required
Responsibility for administration
- Knowledge/experience of IT systems, such as SystmOne or ClearCare as well as willingness to learn new IT systems
- Skilled use of word documents, excel spreadsheets and other electronic recording systems
- Clear knowledge and adherence to national professional record keeping guidance and information governance processes
- Maintain prompt and accurate records in accordance with organisational national and professional standards
- Responsible for personally generating observations and updating accurate records
- Ensure staff are able to access relevant technology to support the clinical delivery of the service.
Responsibility for people who use our services
- Support, encourage and advise the young person to develop personal skills and confidence in accessing health advice and information as necessary.
- To promote ways in which services can project a more positive and socially inclusive view of health and social care which incorporates participation of children and young people
- Expertise in child health & development and act as a specialist resource for the children in care population and those involved in their care
- To ensure a culture where children, young people and their families/carers and the public are involved in the decision-making processes of services and in the wider context of Livewell Southwest and Devon County Council.
- Maintain close links with community and hospital-based services and work to best support the health needs of young people residing in the Home.
Communications and Relationships
- Practice within a trauma-informed approach
- To be able to communicate with and relate well to a wide variety of individuals and groups, including children, young people and their families/carers, social care, education staff, and a range of other professionals from both voluntary and statutory organisations. This will require high level interpersonal and communication skills to provide and receive complex and often highly sensitive information
- Ability to build relationships with young people who may have experienced severe trauma and exploitation.
- To listen to and hold in mind young people whose emotional distress often presents through physical ailments
- Develop and maintain effective communication with Atkinsons Health and Wellbeing Team and other health professionals to maintain high standards in continuity of care and to oversee any hospital/clinical appointments for the resident young people
- To be able to produce verbal and written reports to a high standard, such as may be used in court, RHA & CHAT reports, as well as producing presentations and briefings for other team members
- To be aware of and respect responsibilities involved in the confidential nature of the work and have an awareness of complex issues surrounding confidentiality and consent for all clients
- The post holder will establish links with those involved in the care of the children including and not limited to:
o GP providing medical support to the Atkinson
o Health professionals at the Home
o Social Care
o Paediatric and medical staff
oEducational organisations
oPolice
oCommunity Services
oCommunity Child Health staff
oFoster carers and foster care agencies
oHealth Visitors and School Nurses
oMidwifery personnel
oVoluntary organisations
- To contribute towards review and delivery of the Homes sleep pathway
- To help support review and implementation of the Atkinsons healthy eating policy as part of a broader Living Well Strategy for the Home
- To promote physical activity for young people residing within the Atkinson
- To support young people with smoking and vape cessation alongside the Homes GPs and other relevant organisations.
- To support and contribute to the Homes sexual health care pathway, including sexual health screening and contraception advice as required.
- Support the delivery of healthy relationships focused work with the understanding that most of the young people residing at the Atkinson have been or are at risk of being exploited.
PLEASE READ THE ATTACHED JOB DESCRIPTION FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND REQUIREMENTS RELEVANT TO THIS POST.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Main Duties & Responsibilities
- Promote a trauma-informed approach in practice
- Professional accountability in relation to Children and Young People in Care
- Experience in working with children with complex needs including report writing and planning individual comprehensive personal health plans.
- Ability to manage and diffuse conflict and challenging behaviour
- To promote effective young person-centred decision-making processes
- Ability to signpost or refer to appropriate services and partner agencies
- Provide comprehensive health assessments, plans and reports and be confident in ensuring quality assurance
- To engage fully across all areas of the Home, focusing on improving the physical and mental health of all serving populations
- Ability to understand, respond to and prioritise child protection/safeguarding issues
- Work in partnership with health and non-health agencies, including non-statutory services to enhance the care of clients with complex health and social needs.
- Knowledge of Looked After Children and Child Protection legislation and guidance including:
o Intercollegiate Framework 2015
o Promoting the health 2015o Children Act 1989 & 2004
o Working Together to Safeguard Children 2019
o NICE guidelines
o Frameworks for Assessment of children in need and their families
- To promote patient and public involvement in all areas of responsibility
- To develop strong relationships with partner agencies to provide an effective co-ordination of care for children young people and families
- Sound knowledge and experience of high-quality record keeping and report writing
- Experience in CIC, Safeguarding Children and Child Protection work
- Knowledge and experience of effective multi-agency partnership working
- Promote a supportive work culture within the team
- Ability to consider the factors that have led to challenging behaviours
- Regular requirement for light physical effort including training and measuring equipment
- Clinical Governance experience and adherence to Information Governance policies and principles
- Evidence based practice and commitment to personal and service development
- Innovative approach to personal and service development
- Experience in teaching and delivering health promotion - confident in leading health promotion within the home, including a proactive care pathway around sleep, healthy eating, exercise, sexual health and smoking cessation
- Experience in collating and reporting on health outcomes
- To support medication audits and support quality assurance around medication processes as well as medicines management within the Home.
- Prioritise own workload, balancing numerous demands to meet deadlines and ensure clinical effectiveness
- Work closely with other team members to provide a cohesive service.
- Works closely with all agencies to promote inclusion and ensure young people maximisetheir potential
- Plan and contribute to training for health, social care and education staff, etc.
- Interfacing with and strengthening working relationships with nursing teams outside the local nursing services
- Ensure that the role and development of the service is in line with the Livewell Southwest and Devon County Council strategic and operational plans
- Provide specialist advice, support and signposting as appropriate
- The ability to review clinical notes to provide advice and support to the staff involved
- On receipt of information, to initiate an effective and prompt system of appropriate information sharing, to relevant trust staff, in accordance with GDPR and other national legislation and local policies
- Attend strategy/risk/review meetings where appropriate
- Have an in-depth understanding of confidentiality in relation to sharing information
- To work with relevant agencies towards a planned, seamless package of care and to seek to achieve continuity and optimum standards of care for every child
- To have a working knowledge of current national and local statute and guidance, including current Livewell Southwest and Devon County Council policies and procedures, for children in care and safeguarding children and families
- To disseminate information from relevant research and enquiries where there are implications for clinical practice
- To be aware of the potential for emotional stress, due to the nature of the role, and seek support, supervision and counselling as and when necessary
- area achieves performance as specified in contract and bed management is effective.
Responsibility for People Management
- To support effective leadership in monitoring and evaluating standards of practice and work closely with service leads to ensure such standards are met
- Participate in Personal Development Reviews
- Adheres to and works within the NMC Professional Code of Conduct and guidelines
- Provide appropriate advice and support to children and young people, carers and families as an autonomous practitioner
- Participate in supervision with accordance with employers policy and standards, consulting with line manager/professional supervisor where there are significant risks or complexity
- Responsible for own professional development and, participation in annual performance reviews and the identification of areas for professional development
- Will frequently be required to identify sudden changes in the behaviour patterns of children and interpret changes in their presentation and to respond accordingly
- Will undertake high-quality assessments and report writing on a regular basis which requires concentration for extended periods
- Frequently having to deal with children and familys anxieties and challenging behaviours
- Will be required to respond to emergency medical situations as required
Responsibility for administration
- Knowledge/experience of IT systems, such as SystmOne or ClearCare as well as willingness to learn new IT systems
- Skilled use of word documents, excel spreadsheets and other electronic recording systems
- Clear knowledge and adherence to national professional record keeping guidance and information governance processes
- Maintain prompt and accurate records in accordance with organisational national and professional standards
- Responsible for personally generating observations and updating accurate records
- Ensure staff are able to access relevant technology to support the clinical delivery of the service.
Responsibility for people who use our services
- Support, encourage and advise the young person to develop personal skills and confidence in accessing health advice and information as necessary.
- To promote ways in which services can project a more positive and socially inclusive view of health and social care which incorporates participation of children and young people
- Expertise in child health & development and act as a specialist resource for the children in care population and those involved in their care
- To ensure a culture where children, young people and their families/carers and the public are involved in the decision-making processes of services and in the wider context of Livewell Southwest and Devon County Council.
- Maintain close links with community and hospital-based services and work to best support the health needs of young people residing in the Home.
Communications and Relationships
- Practice within a trauma-informed approach
- To be able to communicate with and relate well to a wide variety of individuals and groups, including children, young people and their families/carers, social care, education staff, and a range of other professionals from both voluntary and statutory organisations. This will require high level interpersonal and communication skills to provide and receive complex and often highly sensitive information
- Ability to build relationships with young people who may have experienced severe trauma and exploitation.
- To listen to and hold in mind young people whose emotional distress often presents through physical ailments
- Develop and maintain effective communication with Atkinsons Health and Wellbeing Team and other health professionals to maintain high standards in continuity of care and to oversee any hospital/clinical appointments for the resident young people
- To be able to produce verbal and written reports to a high standard, such as may be used in court, RHA & CHAT reports, as well as producing presentations and briefings for other team members
- To be aware of and respect responsibilities involved in the confidential nature of the work and have an awareness of complex issues surrounding confidentiality and consent for all clients
- The post holder will establish links with those involved in the care of the children including and not limited to:
o GP providing medical support to the Atkinson
o Health professionals at the Home
o Social Care
o Paediatric and medical staff
oEducational organisations
oPolice
oCommunity Services
oCommunity Child Health staff
oFoster carers and foster care agencies
oHealth Visitors and School Nurses
oMidwifery personnel
oVoluntary organisations
- To contribute towards review and delivery of the Homes sleep pathway
- To help support review and implementation of the Atkinsons healthy eating policy as part of a broader Living Well Strategy for the Home
- To promote physical activity for young people residing within the Atkinson
- To support young people with smoking and vape cessation alongside the Homes GPs and other relevant organisations.
- To support and contribute to the Homes sexual health care pathway, including sexual health screening and contraception advice as required.
- Support the delivery of healthy relationships focused work with the understanding that most of the young people residing at the Atkinson have been or are at risk of being exploited.
PLEASE READ THE ATTACHED JOB DESCRIPTION FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND REQUIREMENTS RELEVANT TO THIS POST.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- SCPHN HV/SN RN Child/RGN/RSCN/RMN qualified with the relevant post registration experience, which must include working with vulnerable children and families
- First Level Degree or equivalent
- Evidence of on-going self-development and learning
- Professional registration with recognised body e.g. SCPHN, RN Child, RMN, RGN
Desirable
- Specialist public health nursing qualification
- Mental health qualification
- Registered Nurse Prescriber
- Teaching/training qualification
- Specific safeguarding/ children in care training
Knowledge
Essential
- Demonstrate knowledge of current health issues relating to children and families.
- Demonstrate knowledge of current health issues of children and young people in care and care leavers, including Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children (UASC).
- Knowledge of potential requirements for those children and families with complex needs.
- Comprehensive knowledge of child development and Healthy Child programmes.
- Knowledge in: Children Act 1989 and 2004, Healthy Child Programme, Framework for Assessment, Child Protection, Evidence of research-based practice, Evidence of continuing professional development, Child Sexual Exploitation, UASC, NICE guidelines.
- To understand current Government policies/guidance affecting living, culture/racism/disability/children living in secure accommodation.
- To be able to collate, analyse and interpret complex and sometimes ambiguous evidence in sensitive and occasionally hostile arenas and make decisions on effective action.
- Knowledge and practice in diversity & equality issues, particularly in their application to CIC
Experience
Essential
- Proven experience of working with vulnerable/complex children, young people and families.
- Demonstrate experience of working with child protection/safeguarding concerns.
- Able to work in partnership in a multi-agency arena.
- Experience of service development and change management.
- Evidence of ongoing CPD in child protection at level 3.
- Experience of delivering Health promotion / healthy lifestyle programmes.
- Experience in working with children is essential (0-18 years ideally).
- To work within the Children, Act 2004/ Every Child Matters and act as an advocate for the voice of the child.
- Experience of supervision and monitoring to ensure safe practice
Specific Skills
Essential
- Calm and supportive approach.
- Ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary team.
- Reliable, resilient, tenacious, empathetic, approachable, open, understanding, non-judgmental and tolerant.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- SCPHN HV/SN RN Child/RGN/RSCN/RMN qualified with the relevant post registration experience, which must include working with vulnerable children and families
- First Level Degree or equivalent
- Evidence of on-going self-development and learning
- Professional registration with recognised body e.g. SCPHN, RN Child, RMN, RGN
Desirable
- Specialist public health nursing qualification
- Mental health qualification
- Registered Nurse Prescriber
- Teaching/training qualification
- Specific safeguarding/ children in care training
Knowledge
Essential
- Demonstrate knowledge of current health issues relating to children and families.
- Demonstrate knowledge of current health issues of children and young people in care and care leavers, including Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children (UASC).
- Knowledge of potential requirements for those children and families with complex needs.
- Comprehensive knowledge of child development and Healthy Child programmes.
- Knowledge in: Children Act 1989 and 2004, Healthy Child Programme, Framework for Assessment, Child Protection, Evidence of research-based practice, Evidence of continuing professional development, Child Sexual Exploitation, UASC, NICE guidelines.
- To understand current Government policies/guidance affecting living, culture/racism/disability/children living in secure accommodation.
- To be able to collate, analyse and interpret complex and sometimes ambiguous evidence in sensitive and occasionally hostile arenas and make decisions on effective action.
- Knowledge and practice in diversity & equality issues, particularly in their application to CIC
Experience
Essential
- Proven experience of working with vulnerable/complex children, young people and families.
- Demonstrate experience of working with child protection/safeguarding concerns.
- Able to work in partnership in a multi-agency arena.
- Experience of service development and change management.
- Evidence of ongoing CPD in child protection at level 3.
- Experience of delivering Health promotion / healthy lifestyle programmes.
- Experience in working with children is essential (0-18 years ideally).
- To work within the Children, Act 2004/ Every Child Matters and act as an advocate for the voice of the child.
- Experience of supervision and monitoring to ensure safe practice
Specific Skills
Essential
- Calm and supportive approach.
- Ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary team.
- Reliable, resilient, tenacious, empathetic, approachable, open, understanding, non-judgmental and tolerant.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
