Registered Nurse for Initial Health Assessments

Undertake Initial Health Assessments (IHAs) for children in local authority care, ensuring their physical, emotional and developmental health needs are identified and addressed. This role supports the statutory duties under the Children Act 1989 and aligns with national safeguarding guidance.

Salary: £21 per hour

Location: York and Scarborough

Job Responsibilities:

• Conduct comprehensive health assessments for children and young people in local authority care within statutory timescales (usually within 20 working days of entry to care).
• Gather health and social information from multiple sources, including medical records, carers and relevant agencies.
• Assess physical health, growth and development (e.g., height, weight, immunisations).
• Evaluate emotional, mental and behavioural health needs.
• Identify risk factors such as exposure to abuse, neglect or substance misuse.
• Support with developing a detailed health‑care plan tailored to the child’s needs, incorporating short‑ and long‑term goals.
• Support with the provision of recommendations for medical follow‑ups, therapy or specialist referrals.
• Prepare for clinics and document all assessments in the clinical system (SystmOne).
• Participate in training and reflective practice to maintain knowledge of current best practices in child health and safeguarding.
• Ensure up‑to‑date statutory and mandatory training.
• Ensure compliance with relevant legislation, including the Children Act 1989, 2004 and statutory guidance for Children and Young People in Care.
• Participate in individual performance reviews, including maintaining a record of own personal and/or professional development.
• Liaise with social workers, foster carers, birth families (where appropriate) and educational professionals to support the child’s overall well‑being.
• Work as an effective and responsible team member, supporting others and exploring mechanisms to develop new ways of working.
• Accept delegation from senior staff, prioritise own workload and ensure effective time‑management strategies are embedded in own practice.
• Work closely with Designated Professionals for Children and Young People in Care to ensure continuity of care.
• Maintain detailed, accurate and confidential records of assessments and care plans.
• Identify safeguarding concerns during assessments and act in line with local safeguarding policies.
• Be aware of your responsibilities under the GDPR.
• Follow policy and procedures, promoting and maintaining own health and others’ health, safety and security as defined in Nimbuscare’s Health and Safety Policy.
• Use personal security systems within the workplace according to guidelines.
• Identify risks involved in work activities and undertake such activities in a way that manages those risks.
• Make effective use of training to update knowledge and skills.
• Use appropriate infection control procedures, maintaining work areas in a tidy and safe way and free from hazards.
• Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion in practice.
• Act in a way that recognises the importance of children’s rights, interpreting them consistently with Nimbuscare procedures and current legislation.
• Respect the privacy, dignity, needs and beliefs of children, carers and colleagues.
• Behave in a manner that is welcoming to the individual, non‑judgemental and respects their circumstances, feelings, priorities and rights.
• Alert other team members to issues of quality and risk.
• Assess own performance and take accountability for own actions, directly or under supervision.
• Effectively manage own time, workload and resources.
• Work within own limitations and experience.
• Be aware of and cooperate with audit.
• Always portray a professional image.

Experience:

• Empathy and a child‑centred approach to health care.
• Attention to detail and ability to manage sensitive information.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet strict deadlines.
• Commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion in practice.

Qualifications:

• Experience working with children, including those with complex needs or vulnerabilities.
• Knowledge of child development, safeguarding, and health inequalities.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Qualified registered health professional (Nurse, or Health Visitor).
• Current registration with NMC, or equivalent regulatory body.
• Specific training or certification in Children and Young People in Care health.
• Experience in multidisciplinary working within child health or social care.
• Aware of cultural and linguistic diversity affecting children in care.

Other:

• Competence in IT systems, ideally SystmOne, or willingness to learn.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check: This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.