Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust

Clinical Specialist Nurse

The closing date is 07 November 2025

Job summary

We are seeking a motivated and experienced Clinical Nurse Specialist in Learning Disabilities to support and advocate for patients with a learning disability when in an acute hospital setting. The post holder will provide expert clinical advice, promote reasonable adjustments and work collaboratively with the Multi-Disciplinary Team to ensure high quality person cantered care for individuals with a learning disability.

The post will require the successful candidate to work across both Durham and Darlington Acute liaison psychiatry teams.

In this role, you will offer clinical leadership support to colleagues, participate in service development, co-ordination of the assessment, treatment and management of older people accessing the service. The Clinical Specialist Nurse will offer advice and consultation regarding the management of the client group to colleagues within the team and other agencies, as necessary.

We are looking for someone who is highly motivation with a keen interest for continuing the improvement of our older persons care and treatment. We are proactive in developing and piloting new ways of working, taking in consideration the voices of our service users and their families to develop better ways of working.

We will look forward to welcoming the successful candidate to work alongside the team in developing future ways of working. If you are looking for an opportunity to develop your skills, then this could be the job for you!

Main duties of the job

Providing direct support to patients with learning disabilities during their hospital stay, including assessments, developing care plans, and ensuring reasonable adjustments are identified and implemented in line with legal and professional standards.

Offering expert guidance and training to hospital staff on learning disabilities, including communication strategies, behaviour management, and understanding the specific needs of patients with learning disabilities.

Acting as an advocate for patients, ensuring their voices are heard and their rights are respected throughout their hospital journey.

Working with various healthcare professionals to coordinate care and ensure a smooth transition between hospital and community services.

Working to reduce health inequalities and promote the inclusion of people with learning disabilities in all aspects of hospital care.

Considering the broader needs of patients, including emotional, social, and psychological well-being, in addition to physical health needs.

Participating in the development and implementation of policies, procedures, and guidelines related to learning disabilities in the acute hospital setting.

Contributing to comprehensive risk assessments, particularly for individuals with complex needs, and ensuring appropriate measures are in place to minimize risks.

About us

We are the Mental Health & Learning Disability NHS Trust for County Durham and Darlington, Teesside, North Yorkshire, York and Selby.

From education, prevention, crisis and specialist care, our talented and compassionate teams work in partnership with our patients, communities, and partners to help the people of our region feel safe, understood, believed in and cared for.

We nurture the recovery journey of anyone in need of our help. In Our Trust, everyone has a say in how they are supported and treated because we listen to every person in our care until they feel understood. Our patients, their families and carers work together with us towards better mental health.

We are committed to new thinking that improves the wellbeing of our region. We connect with our communities and partners to get mental health care right, in areas that really need it. We won't rest until everyone in our region has the mental health care they need, to lead their best possible life.

Details

Date posted

24 October 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£47,810 to £54,710 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

346-DDA-135-25-A

Job locations

Rowan Building

Holly Hurst Road

Darlington

DL3 6HX


Job description

Job responsibilities

You will be well supported and work within a friendly team with opportunities for continuing professional development.

Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for further detailed information to ensure that you meet the role criteria before applying.

Job description

Job responsibilities

You will be well supported and work within a friendly team with opportunities for continuing professional development.

Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for further detailed information to ensure that you meet the role criteria before applying.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Current Professional Registration with Nursing and Midwifery Council - RMN / RNLD/ RGN (RNSC - CAMHS Only)
  • Recognised Practice Assessor/Practice Supervisor or currently in progress of achieving.
  • Trained in Clinical Supervision and providing Clinical Supervision or in the process of achieving
  • Postgraduate diploma in a subject relevant to the area Or be willing to work towards and achieve within 2 years and
  • Within the first year of being in post hold a recognised qualification in a governed therapy/advanced clinical qualification e.g Intermediate Systemic Family Therapy/Post Grad diploma in CBT/British Isles Dialectical Behaviour Therapy /NMP (Independent Prescriber)
  • And Have Equivalent clinical experience to that of a Post Grad Diploma/master's level such as working as a band 6 (or above) in relevant clinical area with significant experience (see below under experience), together with evidence of relevant CPD

Experience

Essential

  • Significant experience working with patients with complex needs in the specialist field.
  • Significant experience working with patients who display risk behaviours
  • Clinical risk assessment and management and its application in practice
  • Working collaboratively with service users their families and carers
  • Working in a multi-disciplinary team
  • Quality improvement activities

Knowledge

Essential

  • Extensive knowledge of current issues relating to health needs of patients in the field of practice, regionally and nationally
  • Understanding and working knowledge of the legal framework and statutory obligations under the Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act
  • Detailed understanding of Safeguarding and its application in practice.
  • Clinical Risk Assessment and Management and its application in practice
  • Clinical Governance and its application in practice
  • Working knowledge of clinical medicines management
  • Understanding of psychological models of care and treatment (depending on specialist area)
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Current Professional Registration with Nursing and Midwifery Council - RMN / RNLD/ RGN (RNSC - CAMHS Only)
  • Recognised Practice Assessor/Practice Supervisor or currently in progress of achieving.
  • Trained in Clinical Supervision and providing Clinical Supervision or in the process of achieving
  • Postgraduate diploma in a subject relevant to the area Or be willing to work towards and achieve within 2 years and
  • Within the first year of being in post hold a recognised qualification in a governed therapy/advanced clinical qualification e.g Intermediate Systemic Family Therapy/Post Grad diploma in CBT/British Isles Dialectical Behaviour Therapy /NMP (Independent Prescriber)
  • And Have Equivalent clinical experience to that of a Post Grad Diploma/master's level such as working as a band 6 (or above) in relevant clinical area with significant experience (see below under experience), together with evidence of relevant CPD

Experience

Essential

  • Significant experience working with patients with complex needs in the specialist field.
  • Significant experience working with patients who display risk behaviours
  • Clinical risk assessment and management and its application in practice
  • Working collaboratively with service users their families and carers
  • Working in a multi-disciplinary team
  • Quality improvement activities

Knowledge

Essential

  • Extensive knowledge of current issues relating to health needs of patients in the field of practice, regionally and nationally
  • Understanding and working knowledge of the legal framework and statutory obligations under the Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act
  • Detailed understanding of Safeguarding and its application in practice.
  • Clinical Risk Assessment and Management and its application in practice
  • Clinical Governance and its application in practice
  • Working knowledge of clinical medicines management
  • Understanding of psychological models of care and treatment (depending on specialist area)

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Rowan Building

Holly Hurst Road

Darlington

DL3 6HX


Employer's website

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

Employer details

Employer name

Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Rowan Building

Holly Hurst Road

Darlington

DL3 6HX


Employer's website

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

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Team Manager

Gemma Boycott

Gemma.Boycott@nhs.net

01325736400

Details

Date posted

24 October 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£47,810 to £54,710 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

346-DDA-135-25-A

Job locations

Rowan Building

Holly Hurst Road

Darlington

DL3 6HX


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)