Specialist Nurse for Looked After Children

Job overview

The post holder will work within codes of practice and professional responsibilities when undertaking statutory health assessments with Looked After Children (LAC) by the Local Authority, ensuring that clients/patients have a comprehensive health plan in place, and that it is regularly reviewed in line with statutory timescales or as circumstances change.

The post holder will discharge their Statutory Duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children that are in local authority care as part of the Looked After Children Team. The post holder will support other staff within the Health Board to meet their responsibilities for Looked After Children (LAC).

Main duties of the job

The post holder will manage their own caseloads and, as part of the Looked After Children Team, will:

• Ensure compliance with Children Act 2004 and the Social Services & Well-Being (Wales) Act 2014 and related guidance, working closely with Cwm Taf Morgannwg staff, multiagency partners and other Health Boards.
• Provide specialised guidance and advice on health-related issues to other partner agencies.
• Ensure all identified health needs of Looked After Children placed out of the Cwm Taf Morgannwg area are addressed, and work with other health services both locally and in other areas to meet those specific needs.
• The post holder is expected to work flexibly to support the Team and to assist other colleagues from within the Safeguarding and Public Protection Team when required.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

You will be able to find a full Job description and Person Specification attached within the supporting documents or please click "Apply now" to view in Trac

The post holder will:

• Plan and undertake statutory health assessments for LAC including those children and young people with complex needs, within a legal framework and timescale.
• Be able to formulate a comprehensive health care plan understanding the increased vulnerability of LAC that will reduce the risk of emotional harm and meet identified health needs.
• Identify services to meet the complex health needs of looked after children.
• Accurately record all data and information in accordance with Health Board policies and legal requirements, maintaining the strictest confidentiality.
• Be able to interpret and advise on a broad range of health information in a variety of settings including LAC reviews, electronic communication with other professionals and education settings.
• Deliver an evidenced based and professional approach to practice to ensure a high standard of service provision.
• Report any child protection concerns in accordance with All Wales Procedures and attend child protection/safeguarding meetings as necessary.
• Make decisions in line with organisational policies and national policies e.g. the All Wales Child Protection Procedures, The Children Act 2004.
• Work within the framework of the local Safeguarding Boards guidelines to promote the safety and wellbeing of children and young people.
• Be able to work with various statutory and voluntary organisations to ensure that the health needs of Looked After Children are supported particularly in relation to sexual health, emotional health and risk taking behaviours.
• Plan and prioritise own workload, ensuring sufficient time is allocated to all aspects of role.
• Actively participate, agree and review their Personal Development Plan and ensure regular supervision is accessed.
• Offer clinical support, advice and knowledge and shadowing experiences to both qualified and student nurses.
• Maintain and develop skills to ensure roles and responsibilities are carried out safely and effectively.
• Be responsible for own professional development and NMC registration and revalidation process.
• Support the implementation of organisational policies related to LAC at operational levels across the Health Board.
• Support the delivery of evidence based practice in accordance with legal and statutory regulations in relation to LAC.
• Undertake mandatory training and record activity in accordance with Health Board’s policies and procedures.
• Have understanding of the legal processes underpinning care planning for LAC. · Implement policies in own area, and proposes changes to working practices or procedures to improve practice.
• Support the development of local Looked After Children policies and procedures.
• Contribute to both local and national policy development for LAC.
• Establish clear and effective communication links with children/young people, parents/carers, social care & education staff and a range of other professionals from both the voluntary and statutory organisations, including children and young people with complex needs such as language difficulties, learning and behavioural difficulties and where English is not their first language use appropriate resources such as interpreters etc.
• Listen appropriately and take into account any sensitive issues and communicate these to appropriate agencies/persons ensuring that children are protected and that disclosures are acted upon appropriately.
• Utilise a range of communication skills eg. ability to negotiate to gain commitment, and build appropriate relationships with young people and be able to be empathetic in their communication abilities with young people and children.
• Act appropriately to any feedback or information to ensure appropriate interventions can be implemented in a timely manner.
• Utilise a range of communication skills with colleagues and managers to include electronic communication.
• Attend reviews and meeting for children and young people and be able to communicate information accurately and sensitively.
• Be able to clearly articulate and provide advice that is evidenced based.
• Be able to work effectively with colleagues in wider networks and with other Health Boards in Wales and other health care providers across the UK.
• Have highly developed analytical and judgmental skills in order to understand complex and contentious issues eg. LAC Reviews, Child Protection Case Conferences and Risky Behaviour Management Meetings.
• Use well developed skills to analyse the impact of antenatal factors and adverse childhood experiences on the physical, emotional, educational, social and behavioural needs of LAC and use this information to help support the health care plan, professionals, families and other professionals when supporting children and young people.
• Contribute to multi-agency partnerships involving Looked After Children.
• To be accountable for the management and maintenance of a robust system of health assessments for LAC within a legal framework and timescale.
• Contribute to the compilation and analysis of health statistics required by Welsh Government, which require standard keyboard skills.
• Be responsible for using IT equipment to deliver own day to day functions, including data generation and storage.
• Work within the Information Governance arrangements for the relevant health information systems i.e. Myrddin.
• Collate statistics relative to LAC submitting reports as required, maintaining all records in accordance with Health Board guidelines.
• Be able to commute across the health community, and travel to sites within and external to the Health Board.
• Be responsible for the security and maintenance of equipment within the working environment which will include height meters and scales.
• Be financially aware in order to manage the Health Boards resources appropriately and effectively to include Health policies on Environment, waste and energy.
• Support the implementation of evidence based practice in LAC across the Health Board and with partner agencies eg. Local Authority.
• Undertake and participate in audits as required by the Senior Nurse LAC on both a single and multi-agency basis