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Job summary

Main area
5-19 Assistant Practitioner
Grade
Band 4
Contract
Permanent
Hours
  • Part time
  • Flexible working
26 hours per week (Mon-Fri 9-5 but flexible working will be considered)
Job ref
448-CCYP-6237904
Employer
Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
The Peacock Centre
Town
Cambridge
Salary
£25,147 - £27,596 per annum, pro-rata
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
06/05/2024 23:59
Interview date
13/05/2024

Employer heading

Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust logo

Assistant Practitioner

Band 4

Driven by our Trust values: Honesty, Empathy, Ambition, Respect; the Trust's vision is to provide high quality care to the diverse communities we serve to make their lives better.

We are passionate about creating an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity. Our cultural diversity, long term conditions and disabilities, and LGBTQIA+ staff networks are a key part of this commitment, creating positive change and helping build an inclusive culture across the Trust.

Different ideas, experiences and backgrounds make us stronger and more creative and applications from all walks of life are welcomed - our processes ensure that all applicants are treated fairly at every stage of the recruitment process. 

Options for flexible working are considered for all roles within CCS, including job share opportunities, compressed hours, annualised hours, tailored working patterns and more. If you are interested in flexible working, please talk to the recruiting manager for this vacancy.

Job overview

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

Cambridgeshire Community Services (CCS) has 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. This is an opportunity to make a real difference to children’s lives in Cambridgeshire.

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.

Please note that should we receive a high number of applications, we reserve the right to close the advert earlier than advertised. 

Interviews for successful candidates will be held on the 13th and 16th May 2024

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.

Working for our organisation

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.

Detailed job description and main 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 people’s 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 duties

Duties 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 Cambridgeshire’s 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 duties

To 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 Management

Actively 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 Governance

Observe 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.

 

General

Safeguarding 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 citizen’s 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:
    • Children and young people
    • 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.

Person specification

Qualifications & Training

Essential criteria
  • NNEB / or equivalent
Desirable criteria
  • Child protection training
  • Additional training in child development

Experience

Essential criteria
  • Community experience
  • 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 criteria
  • Working as part of a 0-19 team
  • Experience or an awareness of multidisciplinary agencies

Knowledge & Skills

Essential criteria
  • 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 criteria
  • Presentation skills
  • Knowledge of social exclusion and multi-cultural issues

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Veteran AwareArmed Forces Covenant (Silver Award)Mindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.Disability confident employerStep into health

Applicant requirements

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Jane Styles
Job title
0-19 Healthy Child Programme Team Manager
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
07890 564397