Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust

Team Leader CHAHT

The closing date is 06 February 2026

Job summary

Please Note:

This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must already hold the right to work in the UK independently, with a visa or immigration status that allows them to fulfil the full duration and type of contract offered. The Trust is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position.

The CHAHT provide high quality, family centered care to children and young people in their own homes , supporting early discharge and preventing unnecessary hospital admissions.. The team are based at Darent valley hospital and operates 7 days a week including bank holidays from 8am-10pm.

We are seeking an enthusiastic, motivated and innovative lead nurse to join our Paediatric Service to work as part of our senior nursing team. This service supports the Paediatric service, including Paediatric Emergency Department (PED), Willow ward team and Paediatric Assessment Unit (PAU).

This is a unique opportunity to be part of something exceptional in this patch of Kent, the Garden of England. You will involved in the continuation of the CHAHT based at DVH. The CHAHT is a dynamic team incorporating specialist nurses working alongside children's and primary care teams, evolving and offering an excellent service for children and young people within the locality, forging strong links with community and tertiary services.

Car driver with use of vehicle for business essential

Main duties of the job

The successful candidate will lead and manage the CHAHT team, providing leadership, management and clinical support to the CHAHT team, providing specialist and holistic support and care to children and young people in their own home.

We would invite you to apply if you are a motivated clinical senior children's nurse, with knowledge and experience in nursing children in the community. You will have excellent interpersonal, IT and communication skills with the ability to organise, manage and plan your own workload effectively. You will be dedicated and passionate in your role working with children and young people whilst demonstrating excellent leadership and team working. You will be energetic and dedicated in working as an advocate in support of our young people and their families.

The successful applicant will be expected to provide advice and support in relation to management of children and young people and will be expected to provide clinical advice and educational support to staff within the Trust.

About us

We are committed to being an inclusive and diverse employer. We strive to employ people who reflect the communities we serve, and aim to create an inclusive culture where everyone can reach their full potential. Whatever your race, ethnicity, belief, generation, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity, disability or experience, you'll appreciate the opportunities we give you to work in an inclusive atmosphere. We welcome applications from people of diverse backgrounds, perspectives and experiences to build on the progress we've achieved to make our Trust diverse and the best place to work. We celebrate the diversity of thought, viewpoints and ideas that help us overcome challenges and embrace new possibilities. We have signed the Armed Forces Covenant Pledge and have a commitment to the Armed Forces Community.

We are dedicated to using our Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) approach as our shared organisation model of change to enhance our services and ensure excellence in patient care.

If you are considering applying for a role, please be aware that as an NHS Employee you may have contact with vulnerable service users. We strongly encourage that all our staff are vaccinated against COVID-19 and are vaccinated annually against Flu, in order to protect the health and safety of our staff and patients. Your commitment will help us to put the safety and care of our patients first, as well as helping us to protect you and your colleagues.

Details

Date posted

23 January 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£50,008 to £56,908 a year per annum pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

252-7757569

Job locations

Darent Valley Hospital

Daranth Wood Road

Dartford

DA2 8DA


Job description

Job responsibilities

Specific Responsibilities: -

Clinical Responsibilities: to include level of responsibility for:

1.1 Initiate appropriate work, accepting referrals and be able to work autonomously with the child and family in the community setting.

1.2 Be based from and regularly attend and liaise with acute hospital colleagues to enable timely and safe discharge from hospital and appropriate follow-up in the community setting.

1.3 Recognise and monitor acute exacerbations of illness and initiate appropriate interventions.

1.4 Provide a holistic, autonomous and clinical nursing service as an expert practitioner using high levels of decision making and clinical judgement and evidence based practice.

1.5 Carry out initial assessments/home visits and plan, implement and evaluate nursing care for all patients for whom he/she has continuing responsibility.

1.6 Act in partnership with the child and family when assessing a childs needs and planning. To provide advice contributing to the well-being of the patient and participate in health promotion. To provide high quality nursing care to meet agreed pathway standards of care.

1.7 Ensure accurate record keeping (PAS system used for client records). To create reports for specific formal meetings such as child protection case conferences. Ensure confidentiality of information is adhered to always.

1.8 Liaise with, and receive referrals from other disciplines and make decisions regarding client treatments/outcomes without direct supervision.

1.9 Carry out specialist procedures in the community settings e.g. administration of intravenous antibiotics, care of central venous access devices.

1.10 Use clinical judgement and expertise in assessing and implementing change during clinical visits e.g. assessment of respiratory condition and management of any changes.

1.11 Use clinical knowledge and expertise in deciding appropriate administration of drugs, route to be administered and dose of the drug, within a set of defined parameters prescribed by medical colleagues e.g. inhalers.

1.12 Undertake individual risk assessments to support children and families within their own homes.

1.13 Be familiar with safe manual handling practices and implement within the practice setting when both working with clients and service equipment.

1.14 Recognise and respond to safeguarding issues as they arise.

1.15 Be familiar with practices regarding the management of hazardous/biological substances and follow local policies regarding their disposal.

Management and Leadership

2.1 Be responsible for team members as their line manager including management of sickness absence, poor performance and recruitment and selection decisions.

2.2 Provide training and organise professional development plans, appraisal & clinical supervision for team members.

2.3 Direct, support, encourage and advise team members, by the provision of specialist knowledge and advice in the care of the patients.

2.4 Supervise & assess qualified staff members, nurse learners & post-basic students. Work within local and national policies and procedures to ensure that safe working practices are maintained for both patients and staff.

2.5 Be aware of health & safety issues at work and ensure implementation of health and safety regulations. Cascade to other team members. Implement risk assessment policies and quality assurance. Notify the Trust of any risks associated with CHAHT work and with the Clinical Governance Lead ensure it is on the risk register for the service.

2.6 Assist in the development of joint protocols and care pathways in conjunction with both hospital and Primary Care multi-disciplinary professionals

2.7 Utilise relevant research findings and apply these to clinical practice where appropriate, leading on changing clinical practice with evidence based information

2.8 Manage client caseload and have the ability to practice autonomously.

2.9 Create and develop practice protocols locally according to best practice guidelines and in line with Trust Policies. Cascade knowledge to junior team members and act as a role model.

Research

3.1 Facilitate a high quality, cost effective service through undertaking research, surveys, audits in connection with own work.

3.2 Utilise research findings to develop new ways of working and disseminate relevant information to staff.

3.3 Lead on updating or writing new care plans, policies, guidelines and competencies.

3.4 Set, monitor and review standards of care on a regular basis and initiate corrective action plans.

Partnerships, Communications and Relationships

4.1 Participate in working parties in order to propose changes to policy, procedure and guidelines within child health.

4.2 Attend Willow Childrens Inpatient Ward and PAU on a daily basis to ensure all appropriate referrals are made and to provide seamless care from hospital to the community setting.

4.3 Demonstrate accountability in the use and management of all resources including financial

4.4 Responsible for demonstrating of safe use of expensive and complex pieces of equipment.

4.5 Responsible for ensuring that medical supplies are ordered from an agreed list in order that the team remain within budget.

4.6 Implement new initiatives where possible to run a cost-effective service.

Education and development responsibilities:

5.1 All budget holders will undertake on the job training in all matters financial and will be responsible for ensuring they are setup in the finance/procurement/HR systems with the appropriate authorisation levels.

5.2 Undertake annual review and statutory and mandatory training

5.3 Keep portfolio

5.4 Ensure attendance at department training sessions as required for professional/personal/service development

5.5 Implement induction programmes for new members of nursing staff. Supervise/assess nurse learners and post basic students.

5.6 Plan, design and initiate, monitor and evaluate teaching and learning programmes for a variety of professional and voluntary workers.

5.7 Be pro-active in promoting the health and welfare of clients and families through providing advice and resources which empower families towards a healthier/safer lifestyle.

5.8 Teach, support and guide patients and those with parental responsibility to care for their child at home with team support

Participate in teaching Nurse Learners and all other students as appropriate who visit.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Specific Responsibilities: -

Clinical Responsibilities: to include level of responsibility for:

1.1 Initiate appropriate work, accepting referrals and be able to work autonomously with the child and family in the community setting.

1.2 Be based from and regularly attend and liaise with acute hospital colleagues to enable timely and safe discharge from hospital and appropriate follow-up in the community setting.

1.3 Recognise and monitor acute exacerbations of illness and initiate appropriate interventions.

1.4 Provide a holistic, autonomous and clinical nursing service as an expert practitioner using high levels of decision making and clinical judgement and evidence based practice.

1.5 Carry out initial assessments/home visits and plan, implement and evaluate nursing care for all patients for whom he/she has continuing responsibility.

1.6 Act in partnership with the child and family when assessing a childs needs and planning. To provide advice contributing to the well-being of the patient and participate in health promotion. To provide high quality nursing care to meet agreed pathway standards of care.

1.7 Ensure accurate record keeping (PAS system used for client records). To create reports for specific formal meetings such as child protection case conferences. Ensure confidentiality of information is adhered to always.

1.8 Liaise with, and receive referrals from other disciplines and make decisions regarding client treatments/outcomes without direct supervision.

1.9 Carry out specialist procedures in the community settings e.g. administration of intravenous antibiotics, care of central venous access devices.

1.10 Use clinical judgement and expertise in assessing and implementing change during clinical visits e.g. assessment of respiratory condition and management of any changes.

1.11 Use clinical knowledge and expertise in deciding appropriate administration of drugs, route to be administered and dose of the drug, within a set of defined parameters prescribed by medical colleagues e.g. inhalers.

1.12 Undertake individual risk assessments to support children and families within their own homes.

1.13 Be familiar with safe manual handling practices and implement within the practice setting when both working with clients and service equipment.

1.14 Recognise and respond to safeguarding issues as they arise.

1.15 Be familiar with practices regarding the management of hazardous/biological substances and follow local policies regarding their disposal.

Management and Leadership

2.1 Be responsible for team members as their line manager including management of sickness absence, poor performance and recruitment and selection decisions.

2.2 Provide training and organise professional development plans, appraisal & clinical supervision for team members.

2.3 Direct, support, encourage and advise team members, by the provision of specialist knowledge and advice in the care of the patients.

2.4 Supervise & assess qualified staff members, nurse learners & post-basic students. Work within local and national policies and procedures to ensure that safe working practices are maintained for both patients and staff.

2.5 Be aware of health & safety issues at work and ensure implementation of health and safety regulations. Cascade to other team members. Implement risk assessment policies and quality assurance. Notify the Trust of any risks associated with CHAHT work and with the Clinical Governance Lead ensure it is on the risk register for the service.

2.6 Assist in the development of joint protocols and care pathways in conjunction with both hospital and Primary Care multi-disciplinary professionals

2.7 Utilise relevant research findings and apply these to clinical practice where appropriate, leading on changing clinical practice with evidence based information

2.8 Manage client caseload and have the ability to practice autonomously.

2.9 Create and develop practice protocols locally according to best practice guidelines and in line with Trust Policies. Cascade knowledge to junior team members and act as a role model.

Research

3.1 Facilitate a high quality, cost effective service through undertaking research, surveys, audits in connection with own work.

3.2 Utilise research findings to develop new ways of working and disseminate relevant information to staff.

3.3 Lead on updating or writing new care plans, policies, guidelines and competencies.

3.4 Set, monitor and review standards of care on a regular basis and initiate corrective action plans.

Partnerships, Communications and Relationships

4.1 Participate in working parties in order to propose changes to policy, procedure and guidelines within child health.

4.2 Attend Willow Childrens Inpatient Ward and PAU on a daily basis to ensure all appropriate referrals are made and to provide seamless care from hospital to the community setting.

4.3 Demonstrate accountability in the use and management of all resources including financial

4.4 Responsible for demonstrating of safe use of expensive and complex pieces of equipment.

4.5 Responsible for ensuring that medical supplies are ordered from an agreed list in order that the team remain within budget.

4.6 Implement new initiatives where possible to run a cost-effective service.

Education and development responsibilities:

5.1 All budget holders will undertake on the job training in all matters financial and will be responsible for ensuring they are setup in the finance/procurement/HR systems with the appropriate authorisation levels.

5.2 Undertake annual review and statutory and mandatory training

5.3 Keep portfolio

5.4 Ensure attendance at department training sessions as required for professional/personal/service development

5.5 Implement induction programmes for new members of nursing staff. Supervise/assess nurse learners and post basic students.

5.6 Plan, design and initiate, monitor and evaluate teaching and learning programmes for a variety of professional and voluntary workers.

5.7 Be pro-active in promoting the health and welfare of clients and families through providing advice and resources which empower families towards a healthier/safer lifestyle.

5.8 Teach, support and guide patients and those with parental responsibility to care for their child at home with team support

Participate in teaching Nurse Learners and all other students as appropriate who visit.

Person Specification

Education and training

Essential

  • RN Child/RSCN-Bsc
  • Paediatric Advanced Assessment Course (EL-PACA) or enhanced paediatric nursing skilss course (EPNS) or Equivalent
  • Mentorship course
  • Evidence of continuing professional development

Desirable

  • Leadership/Management Course
  • Advanced Nurse Practitioner Qualification

Knowledge and Skill

Essential

  • Good knowledgement of recent developments in paediatric care
  • Excellent written and verbal communication
  • Good understanding of Safeguarding issues and policy framework
  • Knowledge of clinical governance and how it is applied to clinical practice
  • Ability to lead, manage and develop a team effectively
  • Ability to assess and interpret highly complex events/conditions, with the ability to make judgements and recommendations regarding management of nursing care in the community
  • Car driver with clean license and use of vehicle for business purposes.

Desirable

  • Respiratory assessment inc. chest auscultation

Experience

Essential

  • Extensive post registration experience of working autonomously gained through previous working with children and families in the community/ED environment
  • Canulation and phlebotomy
  • Broad range of experience within the field of sick childrens nursing
  • Proven evidence of management/leadership skills and autonomous practice

Desirable

  • Experience or participation in service development projects
  • Experience in teaching
Person Specification

Education and training

Essential

  • RN Child/RSCN-Bsc
  • Paediatric Advanced Assessment Course (EL-PACA) or enhanced paediatric nursing skilss course (EPNS) or Equivalent
  • Mentorship course
  • Evidence of continuing professional development

Desirable

  • Leadership/Management Course
  • Advanced Nurse Practitioner Qualification

Knowledge and Skill

Essential

  • Good knowledgement of recent developments in paediatric care
  • Excellent written and verbal communication
  • Good understanding of Safeguarding issues and policy framework
  • Knowledge of clinical governance and how it is applied to clinical practice
  • Ability to lead, manage and develop a team effectively
  • Ability to assess and interpret highly complex events/conditions, with the ability to make judgements and recommendations regarding management of nursing care in the community
  • Car driver with clean license and use of vehicle for business purposes.

Desirable

  • Respiratory assessment inc. chest auscultation

Experience

Essential

  • Extensive post registration experience of working autonomously gained through previous working with children and families in the community/ED environment
  • Canulation and phlebotomy
  • Broad range of experience within the field of sick childrens nursing
  • Proven evidence of management/leadership skills and autonomous practice

Desirable

  • Experience or participation in service development projects
  • Experience in teaching

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.

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust

Address

Darent Valley Hospital

Daranth Wood Road

Dartford

DA2 8DA


Employer's website

https://www.dgt.nhs.uk/working-for-us (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust

Address

Darent Valley Hospital

Daranth Wood Road

Dartford

DA2 8DA


Employer's website

https://www.dgt.nhs.uk/working-for-us (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Matron

Clare Jones

clare.jones26@nhs.net

01322428889

Details

Date posted

23 January 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£50,008 to £56,908 a year per annum pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

252-7757569

Job locations

Darent Valley Hospital

Daranth Wood Road

Dartford

DA2 8DA


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)