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University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)

Acute Children's Outreach Nurse- Deputy Sister

The closing date is 17 March 2026

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Job summary

The Acute Children's Outreach Nursing Service (ACORNS) is formed of highly experienced Paediatric nurses who triage, assess, review and safety net patients and families. The service aims to support infants, children and young people during an acute episode of illness. Patients are referred to the service from a variety of teams across the Children's hospital. The assessment of the patients is protocol and experience driven and we work with patients and families both at home and via remote monitoring.

The purpose of the service is to prevent unnecessary hospital admissions, facilitate early discharge, reduce re-attendance to hospital and provide an outstanding patient experience for families and service users. The team uses robust assessment tools and digital programmes. Remote monitoring via telephone and video calls has made the implementation and evaluation of patients more accessible to families whilst remaining at home. We provide advice, support, education and health promotion to the family with every interaction. We also assist the Doctors in the Same Day Emergency Care (SDEC) department and are responsible for this clinical area.

We work alongside the Children's Emergency Department (CED) which means the ACORNS team have a strong working relationship with the wider clinical team and we work to support each other. We also provide a safety netting service for patients and families who can no longer wait to be seen by a clinician within the Children's Emergency.

Main duties of the job

Our Acute Children's Outreach Nurse Service started in August 2017 in response to increasing admissions of acutely unwell infants and children who could be managed safely in their own homes with the correct support and on-going assessment.

The team continues to develop and expand under the Sussex Virtual Ward and Children's Emergency directorate. Our team works closely with services across the Royal Alexandra Children's Hospital and we facilitate continuing assessments of patients who are acutely unwell. The nurse's clinical competence, development and expertise will be utilised when communicating with families across multiple platforms. We use a variety of IT programmes and remain up to date and efficient in our delivery of care. We will also be involved in the Same Day Emergency Care (SDEC) pilot scheme.The ACORNS Nurses take their acute clinical skills and expertise into the child and family's home when we facilitate visits. We know that comprehensive assessments empower and support families. It is beneficial for the emotional well being and quality of life for children and their families and we have received fabulous feedback.

About us

At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always deliver Excellent Care Everywhere, as shown in our Outstanding for Caring CQC rating. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of staff networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We're proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 3) and a Veteran Aware Trust.

Candidate Pack

Details

Date posted

03 March 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£38,682 to £46,580 a year per annum pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time, Flexible working

Reference number

279-7815034-MAR26

Job locations

Royal Alexandra Childrens Hospital

North Drive, Brighton

Brighton and Hove

BN2 5BE


Job description

Job responsibilities

To provide an evidence based and structured clinical telephone and video assessment to all children on the ACORNS caseload. This includes a highly competent set of communication skills to assess, monitor and plan care. We aim to provide consistency, continuity and advice to families at home.

To provide a holistic, autonomous and clinical nursing service using wholly evidence based practice. To carry out initial assessments/home visits and plan, implement and evaluate nursing care for all patients for whom he/she has continuing responsibility.

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 carry out physical assessment, initiate nursing and emergency interventions by recognising the deteriorating child. Monitor acute exacerbation's of illness and initiate appropriate nursing interventions. Ensure all your clinical practice is based on current local and national guidelines for the assessment & recognition of the sick child.

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

To provide structured clinical assessment of individual needs that empowers children, young people and parents to support their acute care needs.

To regularly attend and liaise with acute hospital colleagues to enable timely and safe discharge from hospital and appropriate follow-up in the community setting eg care of children with viral wheeze needing inhalers and observation at home, fluid challenges for children with diarrhoea and vomiting and many other high volume conditions that present in the CED.

We will be involved in the Same Day Emergency Care (SDEC) pilot scheme and will be required to support the consultant led service by performing observations, assisting with medications and facilitating interventions as required.

Please note: This role does not meet the minimum criteria for visa sponsorship under the current UK immigration rules, which set specific salary and skill thresholds. As such, we are unable to provide sponsorship for this post. Applicants will therefore need to already have the right to work in the UK to be considered. We include this information at the outset to provide clarity and avoid unnecessary inconvenience for applicants.

If you do not meet the sponsorship requirements, and you are applying using a Graduate visa as your right to work, you must have a minimum of 18 months remaining on your visa at time of application.

Job description

Job responsibilities

To provide an evidence based and structured clinical telephone and video assessment to all children on the ACORNS caseload. This includes a highly competent set of communication skills to assess, monitor and plan care. We aim to provide consistency, continuity and advice to families at home.

To provide a holistic, autonomous and clinical nursing service using wholly evidence based practice. To carry out initial assessments/home visits and plan, implement and evaluate nursing care for all patients for whom he/she has continuing responsibility.

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 carry out physical assessment, initiate nursing and emergency interventions by recognising the deteriorating child. Monitor acute exacerbation's of illness and initiate appropriate nursing interventions. Ensure all your clinical practice is based on current local and national guidelines for the assessment & recognition of the sick child.

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

To provide structured clinical assessment of individual needs that empowers children, young people and parents to support their acute care needs.

To regularly attend and liaise with acute hospital colleagues to enable timely and safe discharge from hospital and appropriate follow-up in the community setting eg care of children with viral wheeze needing inhalers and observation at home, fluid challenges for children with diarrhoea and vomiting and many other high volume conditions that present in the CED.

We will be involved in the Same Day Emergency Care (SDEC) pilot scheme and will be required to support the consultant led service by performing observations, assisting with medications and facilitating interventions as required.

Please note: This role does not meet the minimum criteria for visa sponsorship under the current UK immigration rules, which set specific salary and skill thresholds. As such, we are unable to provide sponsorship for this post. Applicants will therefore need to already have the right to work in the UK to be considered. We include this information at the outset to provide clarity and avoid unnecessary inconvenience for applicants.

If you do not meet the sponsorship requirements, and you are applying using a Graduate visa as your right to work, you must have a minimum of 18 months remaining on your visa at time of application.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

  • Registered Nurse - Child Branch or Adult nurse with appropriate children's nursing Conversion certification/ Dual training
  • Experience working with children in an Acute inpatient or acute community setting
  • PILS
  • Acute nursing skill
  • Teaching and assessing in clinical practice or equivalent

Desirable

  • Substantial Experience working within Childrens Emergency nursing or a Hospital at home service
  • Childrens ED course, Physical assessment course or Equivalent
  • Previous Autonomous Practice experience
  • Additional qualifications in teaching or education.
  • APLS/EPLS provider or Equivalent

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

Essential

  • Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
  • Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
Person Specification

Experience

Essential

  • Registered Nurse - Child Branch or Adult nurse with appropriate children's nursing Conversion certification/ Dual training
  • Experience working with children in an Acute inpatient or acute community setting
  • PILS
  • Acute nursing skill
  • Teaching and assessing in clinical practice or equivalent

Desirable

  • Substantial Experience working within Childrens Emergency nursing or a Hospital at home service
  • Childrens ED course, Physical assessment course or Equivalent
  • Previous Autonomous Practice experience
  • Additional qualifications in teaching or education.
  • APLS/EPLS provider or Equivalent

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

Essential

  • Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
  • Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues

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

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)

Address

Royal Alexandra Childrens Hospital

North Drive, Brighton

Brighton and Hove

BN2 5BE


Employer's website

https://www.uhsussex.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)

Address

Royal Alexandra Childrens Hospital

North Drive, Brighton

Brighton and Hove

BN2 5BE


Employer's website

https://www.uhsussex.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

ACORNS and SDEC team lead

Chrissie Clews

christine.clews@nhs.net

01273696955

Details

Date posted

03 March 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£38,682 to £46,580 a year per annum pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time, Flexible working

Reference number

279-7815034-MAR26

Job locations

Royal Alexandra Childrens Hospital

North Drive, Brighton

Brighton and Hove

BN2 5BE


Supporting documents

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