Named Doctor for Children in Care

Job overview

The Named Doctor for Children in Care (Looked After Children) is expected to fulfil the competencies and role descriptions provided in the Intercollegiate Document Looked After Children: roles and competencies for healthcare staff, published by the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) on behalf of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) in December 2020.

This job description has been formulated using the Intercollegiate Document and describes the competencies outlined for those working at Level 4 as Named Professionals. The number of Programmed Activities available for this role has been calculated based on the population of Children in Care in line with the recommendations stated in the Intercollegiate Document.

Main duties of the job

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Duties

• Support all activities necessary to ensure that the organisation meets its responsibilities for Children in Care and Care Leavers.
• Be responsible to and accountable within the managerial framework of the employing organisation.
• At all times and in relation to the roles and responsibilities listed, work as a member of the Statutory Services Team.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Duties

• Support all activities necessary to ensure that the organisation meets its responsibilities for Children in Care and Care Leavers.
• Be responsible to and accountable within the managerial framework of the employing organisation.
• At all times and in relation to the roles and responsibilities listed, work as a member of the Statutory Services Team.

Leadership and Advisory Role

• Advise local police, children’s social care and other statutory and voluntary agencies on health matters with regard to Children in Care.
• Liaise closely with other specialist services such as Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), sexual health, and services for disabled children.
• Support the Associate Director for Safeguarding and Statutory Services to advise the Trust Board on matters pertaining to Children in Care.
• Contribute to the planning and strategic organisation of Safeguarding and Statutory Services in respect of Children in Care.
• Work with other Named, Specialist and Designated Professionals to plan and develop the healthcare organisations strategy for services for Children in Care.
• Ensure advice is available to other professionals and services across the organisation on day to-day issues about Children in Care and their families, including involvement in Fostering and Adoption Panels where required.

Clinical Role

• When required undertake health assessments for Children in Care and provide written reports on the health of prospective carers as appropriate.
• Support and advise colleagues in the clinical assessment and care of children and young people, whilst being clear about others personal clinical professional accountability.
• Provide advice and signposting to other professionals about legal processes, key research, and policy documents.
• Lead and support the development of clinical pathways such as Blood Borne Virus and provide management and oversight where appropriate.
• In line with the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) 15189 all employees who work within a forensic setting are required to provide a DNA sample as part of the Staff Elimination Database (SED) for the purpose of eliminating their DNA from any forensic samples taken at the SARC. The Named Doctor for Children in Care would be required to provide a DNA sample.

Co-ordination and Communication

• Work closely with other Named and Designated Professionals for Children in Care locally, regionally, and national; attending Clinical Support Networks on behalf of the Trust.
• Work in partnership with the Named Nurse for Children in Care.
• Work closely with the Associate Director for Safeguarding and Statutory Services and Named Professionals for Safeguarding.
• Liaise with professional leads from other agencies, such as education and Children’s Social Care.

Governance: Policies and Procedures

• Work with the Named Nurse, Specialist Nurses and Designated Professionals to ensure that the Trust has relevant policies and procedures in line with legislation and national guidance.
• Contribute to the dissemination and implementation of organisational policies and procedures.
• Encourage case discussion, reflective practice, and the monitoring of significant events at a local level.

Training

• Work with the Named Nurse, Specialist Nurses, and Designated Professionals locally to agree and promote training needs and priorities.
• Support the Designated Professionals to ensure that there is an organisational training strategy in line with national and local expectations.
• Contribute to the delivery of training for health staff and inter-agency training.
• Support with the development and delivery of specialist training associated to Children in Care, across the organisation.
• Support the Named Nurse, Specialist Nurses, and Designated Professionals in the evaluation of training and adapt provision according to feedback from participants.
• Tailor provision to meet the learning needs of participants.
• Support the Named Nurse to ensure doctors responsible for completion of IHAs are adequately inducted, trained and demonstrate the competencies outlined within the Intercollegiate Document.