Specialist Children in Care Nurse

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced and motivated Specialist Nurse for Children in Care to join Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust, supporting children, young people and care leavers across Greenwich and Bexley.

Working with the Children in Care health team and key health, social care and education partners, the post holder will help improve outcomes by completing statutory and review health assessments, developing evidence-based care plans and providing expert clinical advice.

The role will support coordinated multi-agency care for children in care, care leavers and unaccompanied asylum-seeking children, working closely with nursing, medical, social care, education, CAMHS, sexual health and voluntary sector colleagues.

You will also contribute to service development, policy and pathway implementation, clinical governance, audit, performance monitoring, health promotion and training.

We are seeking a skilled children’s nurse with community experience, a strong understanding of safeguarding and statutory guidance, and excellent communication, leadership, organisational and partnership-working skills.

Main duties of the job

The Specialist Nurse for Children Looked After is a Band 7 role within Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust, working across Greenwich and Bexley to improve health outcomes for children and young people in care.

The post holder will work collaboratively with health, social care, foster carers, schools and partner agencies to ensure children looked after receive high-quality, timely and evidence-based health assessments, care planning and support. The role includes completing statutory and review health assessments, developing health care plans, providing expert clinical advice, supporting safeguarding practice, and ensuring the voice of the child is captured.

Key responsibilities include managing a defined clinical caseload, supporting the implementation of national guidance and local procedures, contributing to service development, monitoring performance and KPIs, and identifying gaps in provision. The post holder will also provide leadership, training and supervision to colleagues and partners, promote best practice, support clinical audit and research, and contribute to policy and pathway development.

Overall, the role requires strong clinical expertise, leadership, communication and partnership-working skills, with a focus on improving physical, emotional and mental health outcomes for Children Looked After, care leavers and vulnerable young people.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Key duties include:

• Undertaking statutory and review health assessments for Children Looked After, including children with complex health needs.
• Developing, implementing and monitoring evidence-based health care plans that reflect the child or young person’s needs.
• Managing a defined clinical caseload of Children Looked After, care leavers and relevant out-of-borough placements.
• Providing specialist clinical advice, consultation and support to health professionals, social care, foster carers, schools and partner agencies.
• Working collaboratively across health, social care and safeguarding teams to promote joined-up, multi-agency care.
• Acting as an advocate for children and young people, ensuring their voice is captured within assessments and care planning.
• Supporting and leading service development, including identifying gaps in provision and contributing to improved pathways, policies and procedures.
• Monitoring performance, activity and outcomes, including KPIs, contractual targets and quality standards.
• Contributing to clinical governance, including audit, research, standard setting and evidence-based practice.
• Providing education, training and supervision to staff, students, foster carers, social workers and partner organisations.
• Promoting physical, emotional and mental health, including health promotion initiatives and improving immunisation uptake.
• Maintaining accurate records and data systems in line with Trust policy and professional standards.
• Representing the service in meetings and supporting effective communication across agencies and professional networks.