Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust

Clinical Lead for School Readiness/SEND

The closing date is 06 April 2026

Job summary

The post holder will provide strategic clinical leadership for School Readiness and SEND across the 0-11 Healthy Child Service in Middlesbrough, ensuring delivery of high-quality, evidence-based practice that improves outcomes for children aged 0-11 reducing inequalities, and supporting a positive, inclusive transition into school.

The role will lead on the development, implementation and evaluation of School Readiness and SEND priorities, aligned to the Healthy Child Programme, Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), SEND Code of Practice, and local ICB and Local Authority commissioning priorities, with a strong focus on early identification, graduated response, prevention of escalation and reduction of health and educational inequalities.

The post holder will act as a clinical expert in early childhood development and SEND, providing system leadership and influencing practice across Health Visiting and School Nursing services through quality improvement, partnership working, workforce development and clinical governance, rather than through direct line management.

This post is for 30 hours per week

Main duties of the job

Lead the strategic development and delivery of a School Readiness and SEND approach across the 0-11 service, ensuring consistency, equity and inclusion in practice.

Provide clinical leadership and supervision to support improved outcomes for children, including those with additional needs, in:

Communication and language development (including SLCN)

Social, emotional and mental health

Physical development, self-care and independence

Behaviour, regulation and neurodevelopmental differences

Develop and implement pathways to promote early identification of SEND throughout the service, supporting a graduated response and timely, proportionate intervention in line with the SEND Code of Practice.

Develop pathways to support inclusive and well-planned transitions into early years settings and school, reducing escalation to specialist services where needs can be met through early support.

Providing highly specialised advice to the 0-11 team in relation to the care of children and their families.

About us

Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust (HDFT) cares for the population in Harrogate and the local area, as well as across North Yorkshire, Leeds and parts of the North East.

At HDFT we provide outstanding care to both our patients and our staff and we value Kindness, Integrity, Teamwork and Equality. If you're looking for an interesting and rewarding career in the NHS, where you can make a real difference to patients' lives, HDFT could be the place for you!

We offer colleagues:

  • A supportive culture so colleagues can bring their whole selves to work.
  • Staff Recognition - as well as regular appraisals, we recognise achievements with our Making a Difference & Team of the Month Awards, along with annual Colleague Recognition Awards.
  • Employee Support and wellbeing - we offer a wide range of staff benefits including an Employee Assistance Programme, counselling service and a fast-track Physiotherapy service.

Please note:

  • Due to high levels of interest, posts may close early if we reach a sufficient number of applications
  • Visa sponsorship is only available for certain roles. Please ensure the role you are interested in meets the criteria for a visa before submitting your application.
  • Please also be aware that the Trust does not offer relocation packages for Agenda for Change roles.
  • All job offers are subject to satisfactory pre-employment checks.

Details

Date posted

23 March 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£47,810 to £54,710 a year per annum pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

421-CYPD-3726R

Job locations

Beresford Buildings

The Greenway

Middlesbrough

TS39NB


Job description

Job responsibilities

Please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification. If you have any questions, please contact Claire Young on claire.young8@nhs.net

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification. If you have any questions, please contact Claire Young on claire.young8@nhs.net

Person Specification

Criteria

Essential

  • Registered Nurse on the appropriate part of the NMC Register
  • Specialist Community Public Health Nurse Qualification (HV / SN) or equivalent post graduate qualification
  • Nursing experience and training at an appropriate specialist nursing level
  • Experienced health visitor or school nurse
  • Experience in leading teams in the provision of health services to children, young people and families
  • Evidence of continuing professional development

Desirable

  • Leadership qualification
  • Experience of service transformation
Person Specification

Criteria

Essential

  • Registered Nurse on the appropriate part of the NMC Register
  • Specialist Community Public Health Nurse Qualification (HV / SN) or equivalent post graduate qualification
  • Nursing experience and training at an appropriate specialist nursing level
  • Experienced health visitor or school nurse
  • Experience in leading teams in the provision of health services to children, young people and families
  • Evidence of continuing professional development

Desirable

  • Leadership qualification
  • Experience of service transformation

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

Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Beresford Buildings

The Greenway

Middlesbrough

TS39NB


Employer's website

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


Employer details

Employer name

Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Beresford Buildings

The Greenway

Middlesbrough

TS39NB


Employer's website

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


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Service Manager

Claire Young

claire.young8@nhs.net

07392194291

Details

Date posted

23 March 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£47,810 to £54,710 a year per annum pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

421-CYPD-3726R

Job locations

Beresford Buildings

The Greenway

Middlesbrough

TS39NB


Supporting documents

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