Registered nurse (learning disability) Band 5

Job details

• Branch: Newry & Mourne area (SHSCT)
• Location: Carrickore-Childrens Home
• Directorate: Children & Young People's Services
• Salary: Band 5 (£31,049 - £37,796)
• Contract Type: Permanent
• Opening Date: 26/08/26
• Closes: Wed, 09 September 2026 @ 4:00 PM
• Interview Dates: TBC

Notes

If you are submitting a manual application, please post it to: Recruitment Shared Services, Rosewood Villa, Longstone Hospital Site, 73 Loughgall Road, Armagh, BT61 7PR. Applications received after the advertised closing date/time cannot be considered, so please allow enough time for postage. “A waiting list may be created for similar posts that may arise while the waiting list is live, this may include temporary or part-time posts. This will be managed in line with the updated HSC waiting list principles effective from 1 April 2026”. Where a part-time waiting list is required, one part-time waiting list will be created- regardless of any specific hours advertised, this waiting list will cover all future vacancies where part-time posts arise. A part-time post is defined as any post that has less than 37.5 hours per week.” Please remember to save or print a copy of the job description before submitting your application, as it will not be accessible afterwards. Flexible Working We welcome flexible working requests from day one. All HSC organisations offer a range of flexible working options. The options available for this post will depend on the requirements of the role. Find out more about flexible working options on our website.

JOB DESCRIPTION

POST / TITLE Registered Nurse

BAND Band 5

LOCATION OF POST Children with Disability Residential Services

(Bluebell House)

DIRECTORATE Children, Young People and Woman

Services

REPORTS TO Residential Services Manager for Children with a Disability

ACCOUNTABLE TO Assistant Director Corporate Parenting

The post holder will be part of the Residential Children with Disabilities team providing residential and/or community based short breaks for children with disabilities. The post holder will support the implementation of multidisciplinary and therapeutic interventions for children and young people with intellectual disability and/or health problems or complex behavioural difficulties. The residential service will be highly developmental in nature and modelled on examples of best practice.

The post holder will be responsible for ensuring that ongoing evaluation of children’s activities takes place, ongoing risk assessment and for implementing planned changes to achieve the maximum potential for children’s personal growth and development. The post holder will be expected to take charge of the Unit regularly in the absence of the Manager/Deputy Manager/Officer in Charge. The post holder will also be expected to supervise junior staff and support the teaching of both qualified and unqualified staff, including nursing students.

The majority of the work will be residential unit–based but assessments/social inclusion opportunities / outreach/ interventions may also be provided in the community e.g. youth groups, clubs, summer schemes, family homes etc.

KEY DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES

CLINICAL

To provide support and interventions in a safe professional manner according to established procedures, which reflect good practice.

To participate in the development of clinical and social care governance in the context of his/her sphere of responsibility

Report to and liaise with the Nurse in Charge/Team Leader who is responsible for supervision of workload

Support the delivery of therapeutic intervention plans with clear treatment goals (taking advice and direction from other team members and the ID CAMH Service as appropriate).

Be skilled, competent and knowledgeable in sensitively and collaboratively engaging in therapeutic work with children / young people who have a disability and their families / the wider system (e.g. schools, youth & community orgs etc.).

Deliver evidence-based therapeutic interventions working towards agreed clear treatment goals.

Monitor progress in a responsive and objective manner when working with young people and their families (e.g. outcome measures, review meetings); adapting the treatment plan and seeking further support and opinion as necessary.

Understand the developmental and physical health needs and challenges faced by young people with disability and how these contribute to behaviour problems.

Organise and contribute to multidisciplinary and multiagency meetings and case discussions in order to ensure wider information sharing and care planning e.g. treatment planning meetings, LAC reviews.

Adhere to the Medicines Management Code and NMC Standards for the Safe Keeping and Administration of Medicines.

Undertake mental health risk assessments in accordance with regional guidelines (with supervision / support during a period of induction / training).

Be flexible and adaptable in responding to service needs for children and young people; this will include crisis assessments, paediatric liaison, intensive-community intervention, generic clinical work, and referral co-ordination etc. in agreement with Line Manager.

Utilise a range of theoretical perspectives in best understanding and responding to the emotional and mental health needs of children and young people with intellectual disability and their families (e.g. behavioural, systemic, etc.)

Participate in devising and delivering therapeutic programmes to children and young people in accordance with NICE and other best practice guidelines, current legislation, emerging evidence / expert opinion and recommendations of professional bodies.

Involve users / carers where appropriate in aspects of treatment programmes.

Contribute to the developing ethos and culture of the Unit: providing the highest possible quality of care with compassion and a commitment to excellence.

Contribute to governance, service evaluation and service improvement processes e.g. audit, outcomes measurement.

Report response to treatment and other relevant issues to the Line Manager and/or Clinical Supervisor.

Engage in on-going evaluation of care plans and communicate according to Policies & Procedures and update others accordingly.

Facilitate the safe and seamless transition of care between the Unit and other Community Services and Specialist Units as appropriate.

Be able to provide assessment and intervention on occasions on an out-of-hours basis depending on client need.

Develop a reflective, flexible, collaborative and problem-solving approach to patient management.

PROFESSIONAL / GOVERNANCE

Comply with the Professional Codes of Conduct and regulatory governing bodies standards of practice and guidelines (NMC etc.)

Adhere to established policies, procedures, protocols within CYP and Southern Health & Social Care Trust.

Appropriately and without undue delay seek support and consultation regarding individual cases.

Liaise with and develop positive partnerships and relationships with other professionals across CYP services and wider networks.

Participate in regular shared learning activities and developmental experiences across Wraparound & IDCAMH Services.

Be competent in assessing and managing risk in all aspects of the post, including clinical as well as generic risk assessment and management.

Adhere to the Regional Child Protection Policy and Procedures seeking support, advice and making child care / safeguarding referrals accordingly.

Communicate appropriately and effectively at many levels.

Keep accurate and complete patient records.

Be able to effectively manage time and work-load, prioritising urgent and important demands during high intensity periods and maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

Promptly seek and respond to appropriate advice, direction and clinical and professional supervision.

EDUCATION

Participate in the introduction of new and Innovative practices within the confines of governance and legislative requirements.

Participate in the orientation and induction of new staff.

Participate in the education and mentoring of students and other trainee professionals.

ORGANISATIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Work collaboratively within the Unit, fostering good communication and team spirit across all aspects of the service.

Work collaboratively with service users, carers and providers within the voluntary, private and statutory sectors.

Adhere to legislation including Mental Health (Northern Ireland) Order 1986, The Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995, The Quality Standards for Health and Social Care, 2006, and Human Rights Legislation.

Provide and participate in appraisal and development activities.

Participate in team meetings, student mentorship, training of others, selection and recruitment process, and professional development, as directed by Line Manager.

Provide clinical, management and professional supervision to other practitioners in agreement with Line Manager. Adhere to Supervision Policy and Procedures.

Keep Line Manager / Clinical Supervisor informed of clinical, management and professional issues.

Be directly responsible and accountable to the Line Manager for their part in the provision of an effective and efficient Services.

Adhere to all SHSCT policies and procedures e.g. absenteeism, incidents/accidents/near misses, complaints, record keeping, etc.

Contribute to the on-going development of working practices and procedures within the area of Corporate parenting.

Ensure all records and documentation is completed and maintained in line with professional practice guidelines, Unit and Trust policies.

Complete statistical recording of activity, outcomes, etc for auditing, statistical returns and capacity planning purposes.

Participate in all relevant audit and research activities as required.

Participate in the Trust’s Social and Clinical Care Governance arrangements.

RAISING CONCERNS – RESPONSIBILITIES

The post holder will promote and support effective team working, fostering a culture of openness and transparency.

The post holder will ensure that they take all concerns raised with them seriously and act in accordance with the Trust’s ‘Your Right to Raise a Concern (Whistleblowing)’ policy and their professional code of conduct, where applicable.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

This Job Description will be subject to review in the light of changing circumstances and is not intended to be rigid and inflexible but should be regarded as providing guidelines within which the individual works. Other duties of a similar nature and appropriate to the grade may be assigned from time to time.

It is a standard condition that all Trust staff may be required to serve at any location within the Trust's area, as needs of the service demand.

The post holder will be required to

Ensure the Trust’s policy on equality of opportunity is promoted through his/her own actions and those of any staff for whom he/she has responsibility.

Co-operate fully with the implementation of the Trust's Health and Safety arrangements, reporting any accidents/incidents/equipment defects to his/her manager, and maintaining a clean, uncluttered and safe environment for patients/clients, members of the public and staff.

Adhere at all times to all Trust policies/codes of conduct, including for example

Smoke Free policy

IT Security Policy and Code of Conduct

standards of attendance, appearance and behaviour

Contribute to ensuring the highest standards of environmental cleanliness within your designated area of work.

Co-operate fully with regard to Trust policies and procedures relating to infection prevention and control.

All employees of the Trust are legally responsible for all records held, created or used as part of their business within the Trust including patients/clients, corporate and administrative records whether paper-based or electronic and also including emails. All such records are public records and are accessible to the general public, with limited exceptions, under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 the Environmental Information Regulations 2004, the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. Employees are required to be conversant with the [org name] policy and procedures on records management and to seek advice if in doubt.

Take responsibility for his/her own ongoing learning and development, in order to maximise his/her potential and continue to meet the demands of the post.

Represent the Trust’s commitment to providing the highest possible standard of service to patients/clients and members of the public, by treating all those with whom he/she comes into contact in the course of work, in a pleasant, courteous and respectful manner.

June 2026

PERSONNEL SPECIFICATION

JOB TITLE AND BAND Registered Nurse Band 5

DEPARTMENT / DIRECTORATE Children with Disability Residential Services

SALARY

HOURS 37.5hrs

Ref No

Notes to applicants

You must clearly demonstrate on your application form under each question, how you meet the required criteria as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. You should clearly demonstrate this for both the essential and desirable criteria.

Shortlisting will be carried out on the basis of the essential criteria set out in Section 1 below, using the information provided by you on your application form. Please note the Trust reserves the right to use any desirable criteria outlined in Section 3 at shortlisting. You must clearly demonstrate on your application form how you meet the desirable criteria.

Proof of qualifications and/or professional registration will be required if an offer of employment is made – if you are unable to provide this, the offer may be withdrawn.

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA

SECTION 1: The following are ESSENTIAL criteria which will initially be measured at shortlisting stage although may also be further explored during the interview/selection stage. You should therefore make it clear on your application form whether or not you meet these criteria. Failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. The stage in the process when the criteria will be measured is stated below.

Factor

Criteria

Method of Assessment

Qualifications/ Registration

Level 1 Registered Nurse – Learning Disability Nurse (RNLD) OR Children’s Nurse (RNC) OR Mental Health Nurse (RNMH) OR Adult Nurse (RN) on the live NMC Register.

Nursing student pending NMC registration as a Registered Nurse Learning Disability Level 1/eligible to register with the NMC as a Registered Nurse Learning Disability Level 1.

Shortlisting by Application Form

Other

Hold a current full driving licence which is valid for use in the UK and have access to a car on appointment. This criteria will be waived in the case of applicants whose disability prohibits driving but who have access to a form of transport approved by the Trust which will permit them to carry out the duties of the post.

SECTION 2: The following are ESSENTIAL criteria which will be measured during the interview/ selection stage:

Skills / Abilities

The post holder will be expected to provide residential care/community based short breaks for children with disabilities and expected to work across Children with Disabilities residential facilities in the SHSCT / & Regional In-Patient Child and Adolescent treatment facilities to support children with disabilities if required.

Excellent communications skills to meet the needs of the post in full

Commitment to training and development relevant to Intellectual Disability.

Interview

.

As part of the Recruitment & Selection process it may be necessary for the Trust to carry out an Enhanced Disclosure Check through Access NI before any appointment to this post can be confirmed.

Successful applicants may be required to attend for a Health Assessment

THE TRUST IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES EMPLOYER

All staff are expected to display the HSC Values at all times