SCPHN School Nurse - Band 6 in Orpington

The post-holder will be the named School Nurse for schools within the area. This role will incorporate a supervisory role for staff nurses working within the school nursing service. As a member of the School Nursing Service, they will work with schools, families and the wider community to improve the health of school-aged children, identify vulnerable children and develop clear referral pathways so all children and young people can reach their full potential. They will provide expert information, guidance and assessments, work closely with the identified senior manager in each school, empower parents and children and young people (CYP), support children to make decisions affecting their health and wellbeing, and work across health and education professionals and institutions, breaking down barriers to improve information sharing. They will assist the Team Leader in developing appropriate databases, contributing to reports, and reporting any issues or concerns that may arise.

As a highly motivated and dynamic school nurse, you will play a leading role in shaping our services, delivering the 5-19 Healthy Child Programme. The school nurse will deliver high-quality evidence-based skilled nursing care within the schools of Bromley, managing a defined caseload of secondary schools and supporting junior staff with the management of primary schools. Applicants must hold a Specialist Community Public Health Qualification in School Nursing and have post-graduate experience working within a School Nursing team. Adheres to the NMC Code and its revalidation procedure. Participates actively in continuing education and takes responsibility for professional and self-development.

Bromley Healthcare is a community interest company delivering a wide range of services including community nursing, health visiting and therapy services. Salary depends on NHS experience and current banding/pay point. Benefits include pension schemes, discounted gym membership, cycle-to-work scheme, discounted electronics, access to EAP, high-street discounts, Blue Light Card eligibility, low-interest personal loans, a lease car scheme and continuous expansion of staff benefits.

Working with the Team Lead, they will develop appropriate databases, contribute to reports, report any issues or concerns, and ensure the service meets all targets in the service specification. They will partner with local Health Visiting services to ensure seamless care as children progress from early years into school and adhere to local and national child safeguarding policies. They will prepare accurate factual reports, attend case conferences and other multi-professional meetings for identified children and their families, meet with all identified children at least once a term and refer/signpost to other professionals or services when needed. They will partner with primary care, ensuring relevant GP practices are notified of CYP health concerns, facilitating integrated care and safeguarding. They will partner with other key stakeholders to promote the welfare and safety of CYP, contribute to keeping CYP safe from radicalisation and extremism, promote e-safety, and offer strategic support to schools to reduce the number of children entering the safeguarding system.

They will collaborate with school staff to deliver health improvement, promotion and preventive approaches, signpost to other healthcare professionals and support staff training. They will promote emotional well-being, support children with mental health difficulties, and refer to CAMHS when appropriate. They will have knowledge of resources to support emotional and mental well-being (online, training packages). They will work with primary and secondary care colleagues to support children with long-term or complex needs, signpost to appropriate support and manage health conditions to minimise hospital admissions. They will develop a comprehensive Action Plan with the senior management team, including policies, procedures and guidelines for SEN, safeguarding, pastoral and medical needs. They will deliver services in a culturally sensitive manner, adapting service provision to promote equal access (interpretation, appointment flexibility).

They will maintain school nursing standards, report any inability to meet standards, share best practices with similar services, attend team meetings, monitor policies and procedures and review service delivery. They will ensure all incidents are reported via Radar, support skill-mix staff, address performance issues and inform the Locality Lead, orient and induct new staff, mentor pre- and post-registration students, act as a preceptor for newly qualified nurses and specialist practitioners, provide guidance and supervision to skill-mix staff, and identify learning needs. They will remain up-to-date with current professional issues by attending forums and reading journals.

Qualifications

• Registered Nurse – Degree or Diploma
• Specialist Community Public Health Nursing Qualification in School Nursing (BSc or PgDip)
• Evidence of further professional learning relating to Children’s public health nursing

Professional Registration

• Current NMC registration

Training

• Experience in delivering Asthma / Anaphylaxis / Basic Life Support training
• Child safeguarding Level 3 training

Specific Skills

• Ability to work with children of all ages
• Ability to work both autonomously and as part of a team
• Ability to work in a multi-agency setting
• Car driver with a clean UK driving licence for work purposes
• Ability to work with minimal supervision and adapt to changing needs
• Excellent organisational skills for self and others
• Understanding of service performance and outcomes
• Knowledge of managing change

IT Skills

• Computer literate
• Proficiency in using Microsoft Office packages
• Experience of using EMIS

Experience

• Recent experience of working within a School Nursing team
• Recent experience of delivering health promotion and its importance in promoting healthy lifestyles
• Experience of safeguarding children and young people
• Sound knowledge of current issues and legislation relating to children
• Experience of supervising, appraising staff, students and working with the clinical governance framework
• Good verbal and written communication skills
• Motivated to provide a high standard of care
• High professionalism and interpersonal skills
• Committed to the 6 C's
• Flexible approach to meeting service & client needs

Equal Opportunities and Diversity

We are fully committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive culture where all colleagues feel supported, nurtured, and celebrated. Discrimination of any protected characteristic is not tolerated. Diversity and inclusion are key components of our People Strategy. We are particularly eager to enhance Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic (BAME) representation across Bromley Healthcare, especially at senior levels. We welcome applicants with a disability. We can support reasonable adjustments throughout the interview process; please let us know if you require any. We understand the importance of balancing work and life, so we offer a variety of flexible working options from day one, including compressed hours, part-time work and job shares. You can discuss these with your hiring manager.

All offers of new employment with Bromley Healthcare are subject to a three-month probationary period.

Benefits

• Pension schemes (NHS pension; optional Nest or Scottish Widows)
• Discounted gym membership
• Cycle-to-work scheme
• Discounted electronics
• Access to Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
• High-street discounts
• Blue Light Card eligibility
• Low-interest personal loans
• Lease car scheme

Legislation and Compliance

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020; Disclosure to the Disclosure and Barring Service will be required.