Job summary
Join us on our mission to give every child the best possible start in life in Somerset.
This is an exciting opportunity to support the health, wellbeing and development of children and families across Somerset. As part of our Public Health Nursing Service, you'll help deliver the Healthy Child Programme for children from the antenatal period through to age five, working under the guidance and clinical oversight of a Health Visitor.
About the Role
As a Community Staff Nurse, you'll work alongside Health Visitors and partner agencies to provide health promotion, early intervention and targeted support for children and families. You'll work across homes, clinics, Best Start Family Hubs and community settings, assessing needs, delivering agreed care and helping to identify developmental, safeguarding and wellbeing concerns.
If you're a registered nurse or midwife with a passion for supporting children and families, promoting positive outcomes and reducing health inequalities, we'd love to hear from you.
Further Information
The role involves regular travel across Somerset, including visiting families in their homes, clinics and community settings.
You will work independently at times and may be required to support colleagues across different localities to help maintain service delivery.
The role can involve carrying equipment, supporting families through sensitive situations and responding to safeguarding concerns.
Main duties of the job
How You'll Make a Difference
Support children and families by delivering key elements of the Healthy Child Programme and helping them achieve positive health and wellbeing outcomes.
Carry out assessments, identify needs and provide advice and support tailored to each family's circumstances.
Help parents and carers with a range of topics including infant feeding, child development, healthy lifestyles, emotional wellbeing and keeping children safe and healthy.
Identify concerns relating to a child's development, wellbeing or safety and work with colleagues to ensure families receive the right support.
Build positive relationships with children and families, providing compassionate and inclusive care in a variety of settings.
Work closely with Health Visitors and partner organisations, including health professionals, schools, early years providers and community services.
Maintain accurate records and share information appropriately to support the best outcomes for children and families.
Manage your workload effectively while contributing to team activities, service improvements and high-quality care.
Applicants must have a full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle for work purposes, or the ability to meet the travel requirements of the role through alternative means.
About us
Why Join Us?
At Somerset Council, were a progressive organisation committed to improving lives and shaping better services for our communities. Based in one of Englands most beautiful counties, its a great place to build your career and enjoy an excellent quality of life.
30 days annual leave plus bank holidays, with the option to purchase additional leave.
Membership of the NHS Pension Scheme, subject to meeting certain criteria, or Auto enrolment onto our generous Pension Scheme and optional pension enhancement through our Additional Voluntary Contribution scheme
Flexible and hybrid working arrangements to support work-life balance, where service needs allow.
Health and wellbeing support, including access to confidential employee assistance services.
Paid volunteering opportunities, helping you make a difference both inside and outside of work.
We believe diversity makes us stronger and are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences, whose unique perspectives help us better serve the people of Somerset.
If you submit an application for this role via NHS Jobs, we will upload your details to our applicant tracking system. Please see our privacy statement in the link.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Job Summary
1. Work as a member of the Health Visiting service within a designated locality supporting the Health Visiting Team to deliver on public health priorities in Somerset to children and families in line current national Public Health Agendas, working to National and Local objectives as defined by Service Specifications under the supervision and guidance of a Health Visitor.
2. Work with vulnerable children and families in line with national and local policies relating to safeguarding children and to provide specialist support and advice to children, families and schools regarding the health and wellbeing needs of children. Reporting to Health Visitor.
3.Work in partnership with other agencies, particularly the Local Authority, including children social care and early years settings. Support the delivery of programmes of intervention for individual children and families.
4. Deliver national and local programmes on an individual, group and community level. Supervise and guide the Health Visitor team assistant practitioners and administrator.
Key Responsibilities under supervision and guidance of the Health Visitors
5. Participate in the delivery of the National Healthy Child Programme 0-5 years, including developmental checks as allocated, attendance at baby clinics.
6.Identify need through Family Health Needs Assessment and provide personalised advice, support and interventions to parents and carers regarding health and social issues. Complete contemporaneous electronic record keeping including report writing and client records in line with the organisations policies and NMC code of Practice.
7. Participate in the promotion and delivery of young people's clinics in partnership with the educational and community establishments to promote general health and wellbeing of children and young people.
8. Work collaboratively as a member of a multi-disciplinary team with other agencies to maximise the Health Visiting service contribution to health improvements in the local community.
9. Facilitate and deliver targeted groups in a variety of settings.
10. Contribute to the delivery of health and social learning programmes for young people with identified needs.
11.Contribute to the delivery of care programmes for vulnerable children in conjunction with the Health Visiting team, families, school and other professionals.
12. Liaise with Health Visiting teams regarding children who may have additional needs relating to transition between pre-school and school and support the transition.
13. Understand, uphold and promote the aims of the councils equality, diversity and inclusion policies; health, safety and wellbeing of self and others; and Organisational values in everything you do. Equality and Diversity practice covers both interaction with staff, service users and communities and includes challenging discrimination and promoting equality of opportunity for all.
The postholder will complete a period of induction to achieve the competences required to undertake the role.
Contacts & Relationships
School Nurse/Health Visiting teams across Somerset.
Children, young people and families.
Early Years Education Providers, Head Teachers and Schools.
Community Services, Fire and Police.
Public Health Directorate, Somerset CCG.
Heads of Service, Children and Young People Provider Services and Locality Leads.
Primary Care GP practices.
Midwifery Services, Paediatric Services, Integrated Therapy Services.
Voluntary Sector.
External relationships with other agencies and Acute NHS Trusts.
Allied partnerships, e.g., Drug & Alcohol Action Team, perinatal mental health.
Communicate in person, face to face, in writing and, where appropriate, electronically with all the above contacts.
Further information specific to this job
Somerset Councils dynamic Working Strategy will be applied to this position.
This job requiresa criminal background check (DBS) via the disclosure procedure.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Experienced in the use of IT applications, specifically experience of Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Email.
- Community experience and/or experience in working with children/families.
- Experience of working across organisational boundaries in a health care setting.
- Experience of delivering programmes in a community setting and providing a range of diverse services.
- Ability to recognise and manage challenging situations in a calm and professional manner.
- Able to take instruction and direction and work effectively as part of a team.
Desirable
- Experience of working with children and families with additional special needs.
- Experience and knowledge of child protection procedures.
- Experience of working with and or knowledge of child and maternal health issues e.g., parental emotional health and wellbeing, smoking cessation, substance misuse, parenting issues.
Knowledge
Essential
- Working knowledge of Safeguarding policies and procedures.
- Ability to record and retrieve information on charts/paper and electronic patient records.
Desirable
- Understanding of quality standards and audit.
- Knowledge of key national and local public health priorities.
- Understanding of child and pre/post-maternal health issues.
- Working knowledge of using the RIO records system.
Qualifications
Essential
- Registered Nurse on Part 1 of NMC register.
- Registered Midwife.
- Evidence of continued professional development.
- Ability to undertake PMVA training to required level for role.
- Ability to speak fluent English as stated in Part 7 of the Immigration Act (2016).
Personal Attributes
Essential
- Excellent interpersonal skills influencing, negotiating and communication (written and verbal) skills.
- Aptitude and confidence for working with a rapidly changing environment.
- Supportive and able to foster an open and learning culture.
- Proven organisational and time management skills.
- Group facilitation skills.
- Compassionate exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate effectively with patients, carers and relatives remaining sensitive and empathetic.
- Listens to others views respecting and valuing individual patient needs.
- Professional and patient focussed approach with inspirational skills, acting as a role model to colleagues and junior staff members.
- Excellent organisational skills, ability to manage own time and plan timed activities for staff and service users.
- High standards of written communication skills with the ability to use email and internet.
Desirable
- Able to work as part of a multi professional team.
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.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details
Employer name
Somerset County Council
Address
Highbridge Children’s Centre
7 Coronation Road
Highbridge
TA9 5JD
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.somerset.gov.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)
Community Staff Nurse - Health Visitor in Highbridge employer: Somerset County Council
Somerset County Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises the welfare of children and families in Yeovil. With a strong commitment to continuous professional development and flexible hybrid working arrangements, employees are empowered to manage complex caseloads while contributing to meaningful service improvements. Join us to make a real difference in the lives of children and young people, all within a collaborative and nurturing environment.
