Assistant Practitioner

Job overview

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

Cambridgeshire Community Services (CCS) has a vacancy for an Assistant Practitioner to join our skill mix team; working with families and children aged 0-5 to deliver the Healthy Child Programme.  This is an opportunity to make a real difference to children’s lives in Cambridgeshire.

As an Assistant Practitioner 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

The vacancy is based in The Princess Of Wales Hospital Ely, South Locality in Cambridgeshire.

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

We look forward to receiving your application!

Should we receive a high number of applications, we reserve the right to close this vacancy at any point after 14 July 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.

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 East of England Community Health and Care NHS Trust ‘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 & Safeguarding audits as required

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