Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust

Special Needs School Nurse

The closing date is 22 December 2025

Job summary

Join Our Dynamic Special Needs Nursing Service!

We are excited to offer an opportunity for a passionate and dedicated Registered Children's Nurse to join our forward-thinking Special Needs Nursing Service in Manchester. This is a full-time, 12-month fixed-term role where you will play a key role in supporting children and young people (CYP) with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

Main duties of the job

We're looking for a passionate Registered Children's Nurse to join our dynamic Special Needs Nursing Service in Manchester. This 12-month fixed-term role offers an exciting opportunity to support children and young people (CYP) with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in both specialist schools and community settings.

Independently manage a caseload of CYP with complex health needs.

Assess, plan, and deliver care for children within SEND schools.

Provide training for school staff and caregivers, promoting health for children with SEND.

Assist in the development of the team and nursing practices.

Active NMC registration and driving licence.

Experience working with CYP who have complex health needs and/or SEND.

Ability to act as a leader and manage a caseload independently

About us

Join Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) and become part of a 30,000 plus strong team, delivering exceptional care to over 1 million people every year. As the largest provider of specialist services, and our Oxford Road Campus in Manchester, the largest health academic campus in Europe, we are forward-thinking, committed to clinical excellence and driven to deliver innovation, and continuous improvement.Whether you're beginning your career or taking the next step, MFT offers a stimulating and supportive environment where your contribution truly matters. Our Hive Electronic Patient Record system enables safer, smarter, and more efficient ways of working - empowering you to deliver the best possible outcomes for our patients.You'll be part of a collaborative, multi-disciplinary community, working alongside professionals from a wide range of clinical backgrounds. Together, we push boundaries, share knowledge, and deliver care that transforms lives.At MFT, you'll find a workplace where everyone is respected, supported, and encouraged to thrive. We offer clear clinical pathways for professional development, helping you grow your skills and achieve your ambitions.Your journey at MFT is more than a job - it's an opportunity to make a lasting impact. We'll support you as you shape the future of healthcare, one patient at a time.

Details

Date posted

11 December 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£38,682 to £46,580 a year Per annum (pro rata)

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

349-LCO-7649059*

Job locations

Special Needs Nursing Service Citywide in Manchester

Clayton Health Centre /Baguley Health Centre

Manchester

M11 4EJ


Job description

Job responsibilities

To find out more about the key responsibilities and the specific skills and experience youll need, take a look at the Job Description & Person Specification attachments under the Supporting Documents heading. So that youre even more equipped to make an informed decision to apply to us, youll need to take time to read the Candidate Essentials Guide that sits with the Job Description and Person Specification. This document provides you with details about the Trust, our benefits and outlines how we care for you as you care for others. Most importantly, it also contains critical information youll need to be aware of before you submit an application form. Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in your applicationHere at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, were proud to be ALL HERE FOR YOUfor our patients, our communities, and each other.As part of our commitment to fairness, transparency, and personal integrity, we ask all applicants to ensure that their job applications reflect their own experiences, skills, and motivations. While AI tools can support spelling, grammar, or formatting, we expect that the content of your applicationespecially personal statements and responses to role-specific questionsis written by you. This helps us get to know the real you and ensures that our recruitment process remains equitable and meaningful for everyone.Thank you for helping us uphold the values that make our Trust a place where people belong, grow, and thrive. We look forward to receiving your application. Diversity MattersMFT is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating and valuing diversity and eliminating any form of unlawful discrimination across our workforce, ensuring our people are truly representative of the communities we serve. All individuals regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation are encouraged to apply for this post. As an inclusive employer, we are here to support you. If you have any special requirements to help you with your application, please contact the manager named below.

Job description

Job responsibilities

To find out more about the key responsibilities and the specific skills and experience youll need, take a look at the Job Description & Person Specification attachments under the Supporting Documents heading. So that youre even more equipped to make an informed decision to apply to us, youll need to take time to read the Candidate Essentials Guide that sits with the Job Description and Person Specification. This document provides you with details about the Trust, our benefits and outlines how we care for you as you care for others. Most importantly, it also contains critical information youll need to be aware of before you submit an application form. Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in your applicationHere at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, were proud to be ALL HERE FOR YOUfor our patients, our communities, and each other.As part of our commitment to fairness, transparency, and personal integrity, we ask all applicants to ensure that their job applications reflect their own experiences, skills, and motivations. While AI tools can support spelling, grammar, or formatting, we expect that the content of your applicationespecially personal statements and responses to role-specific questionsis written by you. This helps us get to know the real you and ensures that our recruitment process remains equitable and meaningful for everyone.Thank you for helping us uphold the values that make our Trust a place where people belong, grow, and thrive. We look forward to receiving your application. Diversity MattersMFT is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating and valuing diversity and eliminating any form of unlawful discrimination across our workforce, ensuring our people are truly representative of the communities we serve. All individuals regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation are encouraged to apply for this post. As an inclusive employer, we are here to support you. If you have any special requirements to help you with your application, please contact the manager named below.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Registered Sick Children's Nurse (RN Child) (RSCN) and/or Learning Disability Nurse
  • Substantial Post Registration Experience
  • Preparation for Mentorship

Desirable

  • Evidence of post registration professional development/first degree or equivalent qualification/experience
  • Leadership Qualification/Experience

Skills/Knowledge and Understanding

Essential

  • Ability to assess, plan, implement and evaluate the health and nursing needs of children and young people, including complex behavioural, social and emotional needs
  • Effective communication and interpersonal skills
  • Knowledge of current health promotion targets and ability to deliver health promotion adapted to SEND population
  • Ability to work as an autonomous practitioner with experience of case management of complex young people
  • Experience of multi-agency working
  • Knowledge of SEND and health responsibilities
  • Ability to work creatively and flexibly in a clinical context
  • IT literate
  • Knowledge of vulnerable children and young people and experience in children's safeguarding

Desirable

  • Knowledge of factors which increase disabled children's vulnerability
  • Able to deliver therapeutic interventions 1:1 or group sessions
  • Knowledge and experience of how chronic illness/long term conditions affects the child and family
  • Ability to act as an advocate for child and family
  • Ability to negotiate and work across agencies in a professional manner

Experience

Essential

  • Experience of working within a variety of health settings with children and young people
  • Experience of working with children and young people with complex health needs and/or SEND
  • Experience of autonomous caseload management
  • Knowledge and experience of teaching staff and parents
  • Knowledge and experience in safeguarding children

Desirable

  • Experience of working as a School Nurse within mainstream or special needs schools
  • Experience of line managing junior staff
  • Experience of dealing with challenging situations

Other relevant criteria

Essential

  • Car owner/access driver
  • Ability to work flexibly to cover a citywide service
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Registered Sick Children's Nurse (RN Child) (RSCN) and/or Learning Disability Nurse
  • Substantial Post Registration Experience
  • Preparation for Mentorship

Desirable

  • Evidence of post registration professional development/first degree or equivalent qualification/experience
  • Leadership Qualification/Experience

Skills/Knowledge and Understanding

Essential

  • Ability to assess, plan, implement and evaluate the health and nursing needs of children and young people, including complex behavioural, social and emotional needs
  • Effective communication and interpersonal skills
  • Knowledge of current health promotion targets and ability to deliver health promotion adapted to SEND population
  • Ability to work as an autonomous practitioner with experience of case management of complex young people
  • Experience of multi-agency working
  • Knowledge of SEND and health responsibilities
  • Ability to work creatively and flexibly in a clinical context
  • IT literate
  • Knowledge of vulnerable children and young people and experience in children's safeguarding

Desirable

  • Knowledge of factors which increase disabled children's vulnerability
  • Able to deliver therapeutic interventions 1:1 or group sessions
  • Knowledge and experience of how chronic illness/long term conditions affects the child and family
  • Ability to act as an advocate for child and family
  • Ability to negotiate and work across agencies in a professional manner

Experience

Essential

  • Experience of working within a variety of health settings with children and young people
  • Experience of working with children and young people with complex health needs and/or SEND
  • Experience of autonomous caseload management
  • Knowledge and experience of teaching staff and parents
  • Knowledge and experience in safeguarding children

Desirable

  • Experience of working as a School Nurse within mainstream or special needs schools
  • Experience of line managing junior staff
  • Experience of dealing with challenging situations

Other relevant criteria

Essential

  • Car owner/access driver
  • Ability to work flexibly to cover a citywide service

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

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Special Needs Nursing Service Citywide in Manchester

Clayton Health Centre /Baguley Health Centre

Manchester

M11 4EJ


Employer's website

https://mft.nhs.uk/careers/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Special Needs Nursing Service Citywide in Manchester

Clayton Health Centre /Baguley Health Centre

Manchester

M11 4EJ


Employer's website

https://mft.nhs.uk/careers/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Head of Service -Children's Community Nursing

Soraya Begum

soraya.begum@mft.nhs.uk

01615296643

Details

Date posted

11 December 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£38,682 to £46,580 a year Per annum (pro rata)

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

349-LCO-7649059*

Job locations

Special Needs Nursing Service Citywide in Manchester

Clayton Health Centre /Baguley Health Centre

Manchester

M11 4EJ


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)