SEHSCT Lead Nurse Intellectual Disability Band 8A

Job details

• Branch: North Down & Ards Area (SEHSCT)
• Location: LVH, Main Building
• Salary: Band 8a (£55,690 - £62,682 )
• Contract Type: Permanent
• Opening Date: 08/05/26
• Closes: Fri, 22 May 2026 @ 5:30 PM
• Interview Dates: To be confirmed

Notes

Online and manual applications accepted Manual applications should be posted to: Recruitment Shared Services, Rosewood Villa, Longstone Hospital Site, 73 Loughgall Road, Armagh BT61 7PR Applications which arrive after the advertised closing date/time will not be considered. A waiting list may be compiled for any similar posts that arise over the next 6 months. 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 PRINT OFF THE JOB DESCRIPTION AS THIS WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE AFTER YOU HAVE SUBMITTED YOUR APPLICATION.

JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE: Lead Nurse, Intellectual Disability (ID) Service

BAND: 8A

DIRECTORATE: Children’s Services and Social Work

INITIAL LOCATION: Lagan Valley Hospital Site, Lisburn

REPORTS TO: Consultant Nurse, CAMHS and Emotional Health and Wellbeing

ACCOUNTABLE TO: Assistant Director; Children and Young People’s Health

JOB PURPOSE

The Lead Nurse will work with a range of staffing groups across Children with Disabilities Service; Community Paediatrics, Children’s ID Psychiatry; and Intensive Support Services. The post holder will work within the clinical governance framework and provide professional governance and leadership. They will play a key role in the development of a multi-disciplinary model of service delivery for ID patients who have co-morbid mental health and behavioural challenges; and their family and will contribute to the strategic direction for development of a CAMHS ID service, into the future, when funding becomes available. Within the organisation, the post holder will have responsibility for the development, implementation and maintenance of professional standards; of practice and safe and effective care.

The Lead Nurse will build on the findings of the comprehensive scoping exercise which informed the options appraisal for an ID CAMHS service; to test aspects of the model and begin to address those key priority areas for improvement, aligned to ID services.

This post will transition across to ID-CAMHS service, when funding becomes available for this service

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

Clinical/Professional/Specific Managerial Responsibilities

Post holder will

Be accountable to the Consultant Nurse CAMHS and Emotional Health and Wellbeing in the development of ID Services for those children with co-morbid mental health and behavioural needs.

Lead in the development and review of service and professional standards promoting quality, practice development and person-centred care.

Develop and strengthen clinical and communication pathways between ID services for children, Intensive Support Services; Community Paediatrics and ID Psychiatry.

Develop and improve monitoring arrangements of children and young people who are prescribed medications; also focusing on promoting and improving physical health and wellbeing.

Ensure reduction of silo working, moving towards a model of co-production between each of the key services

Work to reduce/remove barriers to accessing services in a timely manner for children and families and timely access to advice and support for staff

Build and develop robust interfaces and partnerships across mental health, neurodevelopmental services and disability.

To support the development of multidisciplinary teams (MDT) within the Trust, incorporating the full range of professional staff and delivering services in line with regional strategies including Transforming Your Care and Equal Lives.

Develop MDT triage, care planning and review the current model for those children who have complexity of needs, spanning ID, CAMHs, Neurodevelopmental, Behavioural and Physical Health services.

Utilise aspects of the comprehensive scoping exercise, recently undertaken within SEHSCT in relation to ID-CAMHS; to test the potential model, going forward.

Develop and embed the model of nurse led clinics across the sectors, in partnership with the Consultant Psychiatrist, ensuring adherence with relevant clinical guidelines

Promote and support the development of Non-Medical Prescribers, within the teams

Strengthen current interfaces locally, across Trust and across the region, in relation to ID Services and Step 2 and Step 3 CAMHS.

To ensure that user’s and carer’s views are evident in influencing the planning, delivery and evaluation of services

Deliver services in line with regional strategies.

Continue to interpret the data to ensure potential changes are aligned to clearly identify and agree areas of need and improvement.

Act as a professional role model and visible leader, supporting staff, practicing the highest standards of conduct and demonstrating and exemplifying positive behaviours and attitudes.

Ensure that all relevant stakeholders are duly involved

Work closely with the senior managers across services, Consultant Nurse CAMHS and Assistant Director to ensure implementation and application of professional, regional and local standards, policies and procedures, evidence-based practice and research

Under the direction of the Assistant Director; promote and ensure the delivery of high quality, safe and effective care across the services, in line with regional strategies, ministerial priorities, Commissioner specification and the Trust Corporate Plan

Promote and develop clinical and managerial partnerships and joint working within the service in line with the Trust strategic direction

Lead on the development of a Learning and Development plan for healthcare staff within ID Services.

Identify training needs and encourage lifelong learning and development for the wider ID teams.

PROFESSIONAL

Maintain registration with Professional Regulatory Body.

Maintain own professional development and incorporate new theories, evidence-based literature and research to support evidence-based practice and developments into individual and family work.

Act within the NMC code of professional conduct.

Ensure adherence to DOH and Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC) guidelines for safe handling, administration, storage and custody of medicinal products.

Provide and avail of Clinical supervision and mentoring.

Participate in appraisal and Personal development plans

Working in collaboration with the relevant Director of Nurse Regulation, Education and Workforce to establish effective links with external educational establishments, QUB,UU,RCN, CEC and other relevant training agencies, commissioning bespoke programmes to facilitate learning and development to meet Healthcare objectives, within ID Services..

Act as an expert and resource for information and support in clinical practice.

Promote and ensure the delivery of high quality, safe and effective care across Children’s ID Services, in line with regional strategies and standards.

Work autonomously and collaboratively to make clinical decisions within the context of assessments and treatment pathways. Clinical assessment and management of risk is integral to the work.

Act as a resource utilising expert advice for advice/consultancy for other professionals regarding the service and children experiencing physical and/or mental health difficulties.

Provide advice, consultation and training to staff working with the client group across a range of agencies.

Working positively with colleagues to maintain clinically effective relationships.

Be responsible for ensuring compliance with clinical governance requirements.

Arrange and attend Team meetings and other professional meetings as required.

Utilise information systems to assist in the monitoring of service provision, report on performance.

Evaluate and monitor clinical practice, reassessing needs and interventions, as part of the therapeutic process.

Provide a teaching and educational role to other Health, Social Care and Education staff.

Develop new ways of working in conjunction with all multi-disciplinary groups in line with agreed service developments.

Contribute to the planning and implementation of outcome monitoring of clinical services, as required.

Undertake research and lead audit in own specialist area.

Clinical assessment and management of risk is integral to the work.

Education

Provide a teaching and educational role to other Health, Social Care and Education staff.

Support and mentor junior staff and students and others within the team.

Continually update and consolidate knowledge in line with Professional and statutory requirements.

Participate in clinical teaching to other professionals

Comply with arrangements for continuing professional development.

Undertake appropriate research and audit, and provide advice to other staff undertaking research and audit.

Management

Be able to create audit trails, specialist surveys and participate in research related to service delivery and new ways of working

Participate in and contribute to service development and take a lead role in action plans addressing areas of team/service development.

Contribute to the implementation of services and quality improvement.

Be responsible for maintenance and safe use of equipment.

Be aware of Health and Safety aspects of the work – implement any policies that may be required to improve the safety of the Team’s work.

Represent the service at Regional meetings when required.

Take on specific strategic tasks within the role

Manage any delegated budget, ensuring budget is managed and developed both in accordance with agreed and funded priorities on a yearly basis and in accordance with standing financial instructions.

Ensure that arrangements are in place in regards to the knowledge skills framework outlines for all posts for which you have responsibility and ensure that each member of staff has an annual appraisal and training and development needs agreed.

Lead on the implementation of Infection Prevention Control initiatives.

Lead on the management and investigation of complaints, ensuring that action is taken to address issues arising from complaints and that lessons are learnt and disseminated within the organisation.

Assist the Director and Senior Management Team to investigate critical incidents, adverse events and near misses in order to ensure that correction action is taken and that subsequent learning is disseminated across the organisation.

Support and facilitate staff in achieving tangible improvements in the quality of care and health outcomes for young people with relevant data and outcome measures.

Ensure management oversight of healthcare plans and assessments and contribute to the integrated care plan for young people.

Communicate and escalate healthcare issues to the Senior Management team.

Generic managerial responsibilities both within an operational and strategic context.

To ensure the development of Team Members and the implementation of new ways of working that promotes collaboration between all stakeholders.

To be responsible for promoting and maintaining good team relationships.

Employees of SEHSCT are required to promote and support the mission and vision of the service for which they are responsible.

At all times provide a caring service and to treat those with whom they come into contact in a courteous and respectful manner.

Demonstrate their commitment by their regular attendance and the efficient completion of all tasks allocated to them.

Comply with Smoke Free Policy.

Carry out their duties and responsibilities in compliance with the Health and Safety Policies and Statutory Regulations.

Adhere to Equality and Good Relations duties throughout the course of their employment.

Ensure the on-going confidence of the public in-service provision.

Maintain high standards of personal accountability.

Comply with the HPSS Code of Conduct.

This is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all the duties involved in the post and may be amended to meet the changing needs of the consequently an employee may be required to perform other duties appropriate to the post as assigned to them.

HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

The Organisation supports and promotes a culture of collective leadership where those who have responsibility for managing other staff:

Establish and promote a supportive, fair and open culture that encourages and enables all parts of the team to have clearly aligned goals and objectives, to meet the required performance standards and to achieve continuous improvement in the services they deliver.

Ensure access to skills and personal development through appropriate training and support.

Promote a culture of openness and honesty to enable shared learning.

Encourage and empower others in their team to achieve their goals and reach their full potential through regular supportive conversation and shared decision making.

Adhere to and promote Agency policy and procedure in all staffing matters, participating as appropriate in a way which underpins Agency values.

GENERAL MANAGEMENT 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 Raising Concerns Policy and their professional code of conduct, where applicable.

The post holder will, in the event of a concern being raised with them, ensure it is managed correctly under the Raising Concerns Policy and ensure that feedback/learning is communicated at individual, team and organisational level regarding the concerns raised, and how they were resolved.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

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 HSC Trust are legally responsible for all records held, created or used as part of their business within the HSC 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 HSC Trust’s policy and procedures on records management and to seek advice if in doubt.

Take responsibility for his/her own on-going 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.

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.

eHealth

The South Eastern Health & Social Care Trust has invested in eHealth to deliver better, faster, safer care to our community and is committed to supporting staff to utilise associated information systems that directly and indirectly inform care. Trust staff are therefore required to commit sufficient time to ensure that they acquire and/or retain the core technology skills required to support their role.

Personal and Public Involvement (PPI)

Staff members are expected to involve patients, clients, carers and the wider community were relevant, in developing, planning and delivering our services in a meaningful and effective way, as part of the Trust’s ongoing commitment to Personal and Public Involvement (PPI).

Please use the link below to access the PPI standards leaflet for further information. PPI_leaflet.pdf (hscni.net)

PERSONNEL SPECIFICATION

JOB TITLE AND BAND: Lead Nurse, Children’s Intellectual Disability Service; Band 8A

DEPARTMENT / DIRECTORATE: Children’s Services and Social Work.

SALARY: Band 8A

HOURS: 30 hours per week

Ref No: 55544936

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

Experience, qualification and registration

Registered Nurse on Part 1 of the Live NMC Register (Learning Disability/Mental Health)

Have a relevant University Degree or recognised professional qualification and have worked for 3 years in a Band 7 or above management role* in a service that has led to significant service improvement **

Or

Worked for 5 years in a Band 7 or above management role in a service that has led to significant service improvement

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.

Shortlisting by Application Form

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

Experience

AND

2 years’ experience in delivering against challenging performance objectives meeting a range of key targets and making significant improvements

2 years’ experience working with a diverse range of stakeholders internal and external to the organisation, to achieve successful outcomes

2 years’ of effective people management, governance, leadership and organisational skills and contribution to the delivery of key performance indicators.

Experience of working with children and or young people with complex Intellectual disability and mental health conditions..

*Management role is defined as Band 7 or equivalent and above, and should include staff management/management responsibility for a service or locality.

** Significant is defined as contributing directly to key directorate objectives

Interview / Test

Knowledge

Be able to demonstrate the development and application of highly developed knowledge, skills and clinical leadership relevant to the post

Be able to demonstrate evidence of reform or modernisation of an aspect of service delivery to bring about measurable quality improvement ·

Proven track record of people management

Proficient IT skills and use of IT systems

Leadership ability and effective communication

Ability to think innovatively and be solution focused

Excellent organisational skills

Political awareness of current health policies relevant to the role.

Experienced in the management of staff

Interview / Test

DESIRABLE CRITERIA

SECTION 3: these will ONLY be used where it is necessary to introduce additional job related criteria to ensure files are manageable. You should therefore make it clear on your application form how you meet these criteria. Failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted

Factor

Criteria

Method of Assessment

Experience/ Knowledge

Experience of leading a Nursing service delivering care for children and young people, who have complexity of physical health, mental health, intellectual disability; social and emotional communication needs.

Shortlisting by Application Form

Candidates who are shortlisted for interview will need to demonstrate at interview that they have the required competencies to be effective in this demanding leadership role. The competencies concerned are set out in the NHS Healthcare Leadership Model, details of which can be found at http://www.leadershipacademy.nhs.uk/resources/healthcare-leadership-model. Particular attention will be given to the following dimensions:

Inspiring shared purpose

Leading with care

Evaluating information

Connecting our service

Sharing the vision

Engaging the team

Holding to account

Developing capability

Influencing for results.

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.

To access a copy of the Access NI Code of Practice, please Click here

The South Eastern Health & Social Care Trust has guidance on the Recruitment of People with Criminal Convictions. To access a copy of this guidance, please Click Here

Protecting and using your information

To access a copy of the Trust’s Data Protection Policy Statement,

Click Here

THE ORGANISATION IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES EMPLOYER

Successful applicants

may be required to attend for a Health Assessment

can expect to be placed at the minimum point of the pay scale, although a higher starting salary, within the range of the pay band may be available if the person appointed has experience relevant & equivalent to the post. Request for recognition of previous service with non-direct NHS/HSC organisations towards starting salary and incremental credit must be made via the Retained Recruitment team within 3 months from commencement of employment. Requests made after 3 months will not be considered. If the successful candidate is an existing HSC employee moving to a higher band, AfC Pay on Promotion will apply.

are able to request Flexible Working from the 1st day of their employment. A number of flexible working provisions are offered by all HSC Organisations including Full-time working, Fixed working patterns, Part-time working, Flexi-time, Compressed/elongated hours, Average hours working patterns, Term-time working, Job-share or Homeworking for some or all of the working pattern, depending on the role being undertaken. Successful applicants are encouraged to discuss with their manager what Flexible Working provisions may be available in the role they are taking up, prior to commencing employment, to help them achieve a positive Work/Life Balance

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