Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust

Assistant Practitioner

The closing date is 15 February 2026

Job summary

Join Us in Shaping Bright Futures for Children in Cambridgeshire!

Location: Peterborough

Full-time or Part-time Opportunities Available

Are you passionate about child development and eager to make a real difference in your community? Cambridgeshire Community Services (CCS) is seeking enthusiastic, dynamic, and caring Assistant Practitioners to join our dedicated skill-mix team. You'll work with families and children aged 0-5, delivering the Healthy Child Programme across South Cambridgeshire.

This is more than just a job - it's a chance to transform lives, support families, and help children thrive.

As an Assistant Practitioner, you will:

  1. Promote the health and wellbeing of children, young people, and families through an early-help and partnership approach
  2. Provide support to families facing challenges such as mental health difficulties, disabilities, or complex needs
  3. Work both independently and collaboratively alongside our Health Visiting team

We're looking for someone who:

  1. Holds an NVQ Level 3 in Child Development (or equivalent)
  2. Has a strong understanding of child development
  3. Is confident in providing advice and guidance to families
  4. Thrives both in team settings and when working independently

If you're ready to bring your skills, compassion, and energy to a role that truly matters, we'd love to hear from you.

Should we receive a high number of applications we reserve the right to close this vacancy at any point after 5 February 2026

Main duties of the job

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.

Details

Date posted

30 January 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£27,485 to £30,162 a year per annum, pro-rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Flexible working

Reference number

448-CCYP-7750622

Job locations

2 Phorpres Close

Hampton

Peterborough

PE7 8FZ


Job description

Job responsibilities

Main Duties and Responsibilities To 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 Responsibility Take 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 & Safeguarding audits as required.

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

Job description

Job responsibilities

Main Duties and Responsibilities To 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 Responsibility Take 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 & Safeguarding audits as required.

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

Person Specification

Qualifications & Training

Essential

  • NNEB / or equivalent
  • BTEC National Diploma in Children's Care, Learning and Development
  • CACHE Level 3 Diploma in Child Care and Education
  • NVQ Level 3 in Children's Care, Learning and Development

Desirable

  • Foundation degree in relevant area of study
  • Achievement of Care Certificate or willingness to undertake within 6 months of employment.dditional training in child development

Experience

Essential

  • Experience of working with children, young people and their families
  • Able to undertake autonomous and independent working
  • A comprehensive & sound awareness of child development
  • Understanding of the public health agenda

Desirable

  • Experience of working with families in the community
  • Experience or an awareness of multidisciplinary agencies

Knowledge & Skills

Essential

  • Ability to work flexibly as part of a team.
  • Knowledge of IT packages such as Word, Outlook or SystmOne
  • Demonstrates understanding of safeguarding issues
  • Good communication/ interpersonal skills

Desirable

  • Ability to facilitate group work with young people / parents / carers
Person Specification

Qualifications & Training

Essential

  • NNEB / or equivalent
  • BTEC National Diploma in Children's Care, Learning and Development
  • CACHE Level 3 Diploma in Child Care and Education
  • NVQ Level 3 in Children's Care, Learning and Development

Desirable

  • Foundation degree in relevant area of study
  • Achievement of Care Certificate or willingness to undertake within 6 months of employment.dditional training in child development

Experience

Essential

  • Experience of working with children, young people and their families
  • Able to undertake autonomous and independent working
  • A comprehensive & sound awareness of child development
  • Understanding of the public health agenda

Desirable

  • Experience of working with families in the community
  • Experience or an awareness of multidisciplinary agencies

Knowledge & Skills

Essential

  • Ability to work flexibly as part of a team.
  • Knowledge of IT packages such as Word, Outlook or SystmOne
  • Demonstrates understanding of safeguarding issues
  • Good communication/ interpersonal skills

Desirable

  • Ability to facilitate group work with young people / parents / carers

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).

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust

Address

2 Phorpres Close

Hampton

Peterborough

PE7 8FZ


Employer's website

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


Employer details

Employer name

Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust

Address

2 Phorpres Close

Hampton

Peterborough

PE7 8FZ


Employer's website

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


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

0-19 Healthy Child Programme Team Manager

Lennina Alban

lennina.alban@nhs.net

Details

Date posted

30 January 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£27,485 to £30,162 a year per annum, pro-rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Flexible working

Reference number

448-CCYP-7750622

Job locations

2 Phorpres Close

Hampton

Peterborough

PE7 8FZ


Supporting documents

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