Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust

Assistant Practitioner

The closing date is 06 July 2025

Job summary

We are seeking an enthusiastic, dynamic, and caring individual who is passionate about child development.

Cambridgeshire Community Services (CCS) and Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust (CPFT) have various vacancies for Assistant Practitioners to join our skill mix team; working with families and children aged 5-19 to deliver the Healthy Child Programme in Cambridge City and surrounding areas. This is an opportunity to make a real difference to children's lives in Cambridgeshire.

Main duties of the job

As an Assistant Practitioners you will focus on promoting the health and wellbeing of children, young people and families using an early help and partnership approach at every opportunity and contribute to improving health outcomes. Families you will work with may include those with mental health difficulties, disabilities, and complex additional needs.

An Assistant Practitioner will:

Have an NVQ Level 3 Child Development qualification, or equivalent
Have a sound understanding of child development
Be able to work independently as well as in teams alongside School Nursing
Be confident giving advice and support to families, for example around toileting and behaviour

Why not click on the link to the Job Description and find out more about the role.

Should we receive a high number of applications we reserve the right to close this vacancy at any point after 26 June 2025

Main duties of the job

Cambridgeshire Community Services provides the 0-19 Healthy Child Programme. The post holder will work as part of skills mix team to promote the health and wellbeing of children, young people and families using an early help and partnership approach at every opportunity and contribute to improving health outcomes.

The post holder will be expected to:

Be able to act autonomously.

To support the integrated 0-19 Healthy Child Programme (HCP) locality team in providing an innovative and high-quality service in an environment that enhances client care and promotes child and family wellbeing.

To support the ongoing assessment and review of clients.

To work without direct supervision to a specified caseload of clients who are identified as needing further support as part of the universal and universal plus aspects of the service provision.

To act as first contact in clinics and outreach locations ensuring a high standard of client care.

To liaise regularly with the caseload holder to assist in the co-ordination and development of the service.

To develop specialist interest areas in order to enrich the knowledge and skills set within the Cambridgeshire Children & Young Peoples Service.

To facilitate health programmes independently or in partnership with health and locality teams.

Participate in continuous service improvement within the organisation / service priorities.

About us

Rated 'Outstanding' by the Care Quality Commission, we are proud to provide high quality innovative services across most of the east of England that enable people to receive care closer to home and live healthier lives.

There's one reason why our services are outstanding - and that's our amazing staff - who, for the seventh year running, rated us incredibly highly in the national staff survey.

If you share our passion for innovative and high-quality care delivery, then please submit your application and join us on our exciting journey as a leading-edge specialist community provider. All are welcome to apply and our promise to you is a culture which prioritises staff engagement and development.

Date posted

19 June 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£26,530 to £29,114 a year per annum, pro-rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time, Flexible working

Reference number

448-CCYP-5856372-C

Job locations

The Peacock Centre

351 Mill Road

Cambridge

CB1 3UG

Job description

Job responsibilities

Main Duties and ResponsibilitiesTo assist the caseload holder in the management and delivery of care to clients autonomously. Duties may include: Building on existing assessment of families needs and deliver packages of planned care with no direct supervision. To provide and receive complex and sensitive child related information from health and social care staff. To decline referral if not appropriate which requires excellent negotiation skills and appropriate sign posting. Support to clients with more complex/ additional needs. To demonstrate ability for motivation and behaviour change with children and families enabling self-efficacy, resilience and strength-based relationship. To recognise and report any health and safety or risk issues.

To write records in a concise, accurate and timely manner in line with Cambridgeshire Community Services Record Keeping Policy.

To independently carry out specified assessment and intervention as allocated and discussed with the Health Visitor/ School Nurse and using own initiative and experience to modify according to the clients needs.

To hold own caseload with support from Specialist Community Public Health Nurse (SCPHN) for those families with planned packages of care.

To hold a special interest role and support other staff within the locality and service.

To promote peoples equality, diversity and rights.

To contribute to the care of all clients, ensuring safety and dignity at all times.

To be aware at all times of the needs of client groups and to promote and encourage positive health choices.

To plan and manage own day to day tasks which may include organisation of health education events.

Specific dutiesDuties will include working independently in a variety of settings and at times dealing with emotional and distressing circumstances.

Undertaking independent decision making regarding specific referrals in relation to the 6 high impact areas to improve outcomes for children, young people and families within Cambridgeshires 0-19 HCP Teams.

To attend mandatory and relevant training courses and to maintain up to date clinical knowledge and skills in order to perform in the role.

To provide support and guidance, and practical training to new members of staff.

To engage in weekly allocation meetings and to work across a specific locality according to service need.

To assist in the prioritisation of referrals and booking appointments and independently assess clients in clinic and outreach locations. To identify unmet needs and gaps in service provision and highlight these to SCPHN or Team Manager.

Ensure all equipment used is safe, clean and suitable standard according to policies.

General dutiesTo provide timely data on referrals and clinical activity.

To take individual responsibility for any health and safety issues and undertake obligations under the Health and Safety Act.

Communication To liaise as appropriate with members of 0-19 HCP locality team.

Develop good working relationships and liaise as appropriate with parents/ carers, and other health, social or voluntary agencies.

To communicate effectively with clients in complex situations. Communication skills of engagement, negotiation, motivation, and explanation will be required to enable the management of potential barriers to communication.

To be actively involved in the communication of complex information regarding clients needs and any other useful information to the Health Visitor/ School Nurse or other members of the team.

Budgetary ResponsibilityTake responsibility to minimise incurred expenditure e.g. Mileage, telephone calls use of stationary etc.

People ManagementActively participate in annual performance reviews providing evidence of attaining the relevant knowledge and skills required for the job.

To attend mandatory and relevant training courses and to maintain up to date clinical knowledge and skills in order to perform in the role.

To participate in staff and service development through attendance at service meetings and in service training.

Clinical and Practice GovernanceObserve and maintain strict confidentiality with regards to any information in line with the requirements of the Data Protection Act.

Any data that is taken/shared as part of a phone call or transported, faxed or transferred electronically must be undertaken with regard to the Trust Information Governance and Information Security policies.

The post holder must adhere to the Trust risk assessment and risk management processes.

To contribute in programmes of support for new staff or students.

To actively participate in programmes of supervision to maintain own development and reflective practice.

To actively engage in developing own practice through annual clinical observations.

The post holder must adhere to infection control policies and procedures.

The post holder must participate in clinical and other audits as required.

The post holder is required to participate in relevant emergency preparedness process for their team.

GeneralSafeguarding people responsibility

Safeguarding children and adults at risk of abuse or neglect is a collective responsibility.

There is an expectation that all staff develop and maintain their role relevant safeguarding people competencies and comply with local safeguarding partnerships practice. Alongside this employee who are registrants are reminded of their professional duty of care.

Safeguarding means protecting a citizens health, wellbeing and human rights; enabling them to live free from harm, abuse and neglect. It is an integral part of providing high-quality health care.

Those most in need of protection include:o Children and young peopleo Adults at risk, such as those receiving care in their own home, people with physical, sensory, and mental impairments, and those with learning disabilities.The post holder must at all times carry out their duties with regard to Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust Workforce Diversity and Inclusion Policy.To be aware of the responsibilities of all employees to maintain a safe and healthy environment for patients, visitors, and staff.All post holders must adhere to the code of conduct on confidentiality and be aware of and adhere to all Trust policies and procedures.This job description is intended only as a guide to the range of duties involved. The post holder will need to be flexible and adaptable in order to respond to other duties that may be required from time to time and the changes and developments within the Trust. This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exemptions) Order 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure of Barring Service to be made to check for any previous criminal convictions. Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust is committed to the fair treatment of its staff, potential staff, or users in line with its equal opportunities policy and policy statement on the recruitment of ex-offenders.