Specialist Public Health Nurse for Ethnic Minorities

Job details

• Branch: Southern HSC Trust area (SHSCT)
• Location: Lurgan Hosp-The Bungalow
• Directorate: Children & Young People's Services
• Salary: Band 7 (£47,810 - £54,710)
• Contract Type: Permanent
• Opening Date: 01/06/26
• Closes: Tue, 16 June 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

JOB TITLE

Specialist Public Health Nurse for Ethnic Minorities

BAND

7

DIRECTORATE

Children, Young People and Women’s Services

INITIAL LOCATION

Brownlow Health Centre

REPORTS TO

Lead Nurse for School Nursing & NINES

ACCOUNTABLE TO

Head of Public Health Nursing

JOB SUMMARY

The Specialist Public Health Nurse for Ethnic Minorities, which includes asylum seekers and refugees, will have a lead role in promoting, enhancing and maintaining the health and well-being of children and young people from ethnic minority communities through partnership working with parents, other health and social care professionals and other agencies including community / voluntary organisations. The post holder will promote access to appropriate services for children and young people and parents from ethnic minority groups while maintaining close links with universal services midwifery, health visiting, school nursing and General Practitioner (GP) services.

The Specialist Public Health Nurse will assist in the development and implementation of public health initiatives aimed at promoting the uptake of services to ensure the health status of ethnic minority groups is maintained and improved by targeting issues such as GP registration, immunisation, oral health and accident prevention and public health targets.

The Specialist Public Health Nurse will work collaboratively with other disciplines to safeguard children and young people in need and those in need of protection and may have responsibility as the lead nurse in individual child protection cases. He /she will adhere to the legislative requirements of the Children and young people (NI) Order 1995 and will work cooperatively with the Trust Safeguarding Children Nurse Specialist Team to ensure standards in safeguarding children and young people are developed and maintained.

KEY DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES

To take responsibility for the management of the workload and delivery of the public health nursing activities according to Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) Code.

Will take the lead in promoting, enhancing and maintaining the health and well-being of children and young people from ethnic minority communities through partnership working with parents, other health and social care professionals and other agencies including community / voluntary organisations.

Continued management responsibility for a defined caseload. Working in partnership with parents to carry out a home based holistic family health assessment for new entrant children and young people from ethnic minority communities and develop health plans to meet identified health needs.

To contribute to an integrated health and communicable disease screening programme for immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers.

To review immunisation history and follow up to ensure children and young people have access to the complete childhood immunisation programme including hepatitis and BCG vaccination where appropriate.

Maintain an up to date profile of dependency levels in their active caseload and adhere to professional guidelines on minimum contact with these clients.

Provide information, advice and support to families with children and young people on a wide range of issues relevant to family health and well-being e.g. behaviour, sleep management, weight management.

Provide information and support to those needing to register with primary care services such as GP and dental services or registration for school.

Ensure the delivery of services which support families by working in partnership with parents by identifying protective and risk factors.

Provide support and advice and early intervention to families undergoing difficult / crisis situations due to issues such as domestic violence, drug / alcohol/ substance misuse, relationship breakdown, mental health problems and ethnicity issues.

Offer parenting support e.g use of Solihull Approach for children and young people with behavioural problems to support families or make appropriate referrals for services.

Co-ordinate provision of interpreters as necessary for the delivery of the service.

Maintain appropriate and accurate records for all assessments and interventions on individuals and families in the caseload in line with NMC standards.

Participate in the assessment and delivery of training needs of health care professional and associated disciplines.

Explore the effects of social determinants of health on ethnic minority families focusing on ways of improving communication and tailored access to services.

Develop effective ways of supporting ethnic minority populations while building trust, enhancing communication and increasing health literacy among potentially ‘at risk’ people.

Work collaboratively with other agencies to improve existing services to ethnic minority communities.

To foster, develop and sustain appropriate relationships and networks across professional and organisational boundaries to improve health and social care outcomes and health and social care delivery to the identified client group.

Establish and maintain structures and systems to support the quality improvement and coordination of health improvement initiatives for ethnic minority families.

Early identification of safeguarding concerns such as Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), Trafficking and Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) whilst recognising cultural diversity in children and young people, and subsequent referral and signposting as appropriate.

Support ethnic minority families across the Southern Trust to have access to safe, effective, high quality and equitable service provision.

Recognise the limitations of one’s own practice and work within the parameters of one’s training and capability according the NMC code.

Contribute to appropriate information systems and collate statistical information on activity and targets.

SAFEGUARDING

Participate in the prevention and early detection and subsequent referral of all categories of abuse in all age groups. Adhere to both Trust, Regional and SBNI Child Protection Policies and Procedures. Contribute to the development of child protection plans and decision-making processes within multidisciplinary / multiagency setting including attendance at case conferences, LAC, strategy meetings, core group meetings and court as directed. Preparation of reports for safeguarding meetings, adoption and court reports as deemed necessary within the UNOCINI framework.

Provide support and advice to parents, children and young people with identified health needs where safeguarding concerns have been identified, whilst working in partnership with families and other agencies.

Provide support and advice to families, children and young people and carers where children and young people are “Cared for” by the Trust.

Maintain continuing appropriate responsibility as the SCPHN for ethnic minority children and young people registered on the Child Protection Register or who have identified health needs.

Seek professional advice and support from the Safeguarding Children Nurse Specialists in the management of all complex cases where safeguarding needs are identified.

Adhere to the Nurse Safeguarding Children Supervision Policy.

PUBLIC HEALTH

Work collaboratively with all relevant agencies to influence / develop policies, which will enhance public health.

Undertake community profiling to identify gaps in services.

Initiate and lead community development initiatives to target health needs.

Develop models of practice which will contribute to the delivery of current public health strategies and community development initiatives to enhance the health and wellbeing of children and young people, communities and families.

When required, participate in the control of communicable diseases and prevention of infection by providing health education to control and minimise risks e.g. meningitis outbreaks and enteric infections.

Work closely with colleagues in primary care to provide a coordinated integrated service to enable a focus on prevention, health education and effective self-care.

Promote immunisation programmes in partnership with families and other health professionals in order to achieve immunisation targets.

Assist in meeting public health targets e.g. teenage sexual health, accident prevention, breastfeeding, immunisation, smoking cessation, obesity.

Maintain and update knowledge of current research and developments in communicable disease.

TEACHING, TRAINING AND SUPERVISION

To assist the Line Manager in the identification of training and development needs of all staff.

Participate in the orientation and induction of new staff and promote good interpersonal relationships within the team.

Contribute to the learning opportunities available to pre and post registration nursing students including acting as a practice supervisor/assessor

Attend all designated mandatory and professional training

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

To participate in service evaluation research and service development as required, including audit.

To promote an ethos of continuous improvement and develop risk management and quality initiatives.

Maintain an up to date knowledge base of relevant research, information and evidence and use this to inform the design, development and implementation of best practice.

Facilitate the development and implementation of evidence-based research into clinical practice that promotes best practice.

CLINICAL AND SOCIAL CARE GOVERNANCE

To be accountable for own professional actions and recognise own professional boundaries to ensure own practice is safe and appropriate.

To contribute to the Trust and team clinical governance arrangements, e.g. in relation to the setting and monitoring of standards.

To maintain a high level of specialist knowledge and practice through a programme of continuing professional development.

To maintain a record of CPD activity to meet NMC revalidation requirements.

Adheres to Trust and clinical/professional policies and procedures and ensures their implementation. Participates in the development of policies and procedures.

INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION

To ensure that statistical information is recorded and reported in a relevant timely and accurate manner.

To provide statistical returns as required.

Discuss and agree annual / study / other leave arrangements within the Public Health Specialist Nursing Team to ensure ongoing provision of the service.

Communicate effectively with Line Manager on all professional matters.

To establish robust communication networks with children and young people, parents and carers and other health and social care professionals and other voluntary and community organisations.

To ensure that up to date written and electronic records, both the individual child’s/family record and activity data, are maintained in accordance with Professional and Trust standards.

Attend all meetings as appropriate and read and action all minutes and information circulated.

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

To work with the Line Manager and other members of the team to ensure the most effective use of manpower and skill mix.

To ensure effective use of resources to include clinical, administrative and IT equipment.

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 Code (NMC 2018) particularly sections 16 and 17, as well as the Employer’s Raising Concerns Policy.

PERSONAL AND PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES (PPI)

Involve patients, clients, carers and the wider community where relevant, in developing, planning, delivering and evaluating our services in a meaningful and effective way, as part of the Trust’s ongoing commitment to Personal Public Involvement (PPI) and Co-Production. Further information is available at engage.hscni.net

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 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.

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.

PERSONNEL SPECIFICATION

JOB TITLE AND BAND Specialist Public Health Nurse for Ethnic Minorities

DEPARTMENT / DIRECTORATE NINES/Children, Young People’s and Women’s Service

SALARY

HOURS 30 hours

Ref No: <to be inserted by HR> May 2026

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/Qualifications

/Registration

Registered Nurse on Part 1 or 2 and Specialist Community Public Health Nurse on Part 3 of the NMC Register- School Nurse/Health Visitor.

Two years’ experience as a SCPHN by September 2026

Demonstrate experience and interest working with ethnic minority families as a SCPHN for 2 years.

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:

Skills / Abilities/

Knowledge

1. Have an excellent understanding of the needs of ethnic minority communities in Northern Ireland

2. Have a sound knowledge and understanding of the current issues that face health prevention and protection including challenges and opportunities.

3. Demonstrate the ability to work as part of a team

4. Demonstrate excellent verbal and written communication skills to meet the needs of the post

5. Experience in the use of Microsoft office products including use of core packages e.g. Word, Outlook (Email), Excel and PowerPoint

6. Ability to work to tight timescales whilst meeting targets.

7. Ability to work effectively in a multi-disciplinary setting.

8. Ability to influence and manage change effectively.

9. Effective planning and organisational skills with an ability to prioritise own workload

10. Ability to identify solutions to problems and implement them effectively

11. Demonstrate a commitment to the provision of high quality and safe services with an ability to drive a culture of continuous improvement.

Interview

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

Qualifications

Be prepared to undertake specialist qualification (e.g. relevant modules of the Masters in Public Health) relating to health protection (subject to resources and availability).

Shortlisting by Application Form

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