Senior Nurse - Looked After Children

at  Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust

Professional / Clinical Able to undertake statutory looked after children health assessments, including those with complex healthcare needs (e.g. disability, attachment disorders, unaccompanied asylum seeking children and inter-country adoptions). Able to analyse holistic health chronology and provide a written comprehensive report detailing the implications of the information for the childs current and future health and well-being. Formulate a meaningful individual healthcare plan and monitor its implementation.
Put into practice knowledge of how to improve child resilience and reduce risks of harm. Demonstrate an ability to work with carers/residential units and families. Able to advise other agencies regarding the health management of looked after children. Able to interpret and communicate a broad range of health information in a social and education context (e.g.
provision of advice on prospective carers to an adoption/fostering panel and advice to social worker on impact of living arrangements on health conditions). Able to confidently manage and provide supervision where safeguarding issues arise within the care system. Able to teach/train, and assure the competence of health service and relevant multi-agency personnel. Able to chair and/or contribute to multi-agency meetings or reviews.
Aware of the implications of key national documents/reports. Able to work creatively with other specialist areas to best deliver appropriate services specific to looked after children. Able to lead on relevant audit of service provision. Management / Leadership To have line management responsibilities (Including but not limited to: Appraisals; annual leave; study leave; recruitment and retention; Sickness & Absence Monitoring) for the staff within the team.
To oversee the process of continuous performance review within the allocated areas of responsibility and empower and enable staff to perform their roles effectively. To promote, maintain and monitor effective communication between the LAC service and all clinical areas which provide a service to children and young people. To be the main point of contact for all outside agencies relating to Bexley LAC and young people within the Trust. To ensure that all local, corporate and national initiatives and targets are met in relation to delivery of health care for LAC.
Educational & Professional Development Able to communicate effectively with children and young people including those with complex needs e.g. language difficulties, learning & behavioural difficulties and where English is not their first language. Able to adapt and be flexible to meet the particular needs of the child. Able to review, summarise and interpret information from a range of sources (e.g.
write a chronology). Able to analyse and evaluate information and evidence to inform inter-agency decision-making across the organisation. Able to convey complex information in an accessible manner to other professionals and adults involved in the care of looked after children. Able to advise other agencies about the health management of looked after children concerns.
Able to support colleagues in constructively challenging other professionals, when appropriate, in the best interest of children. Able to provide advice regarding LAC Policy and Legal Frameworks. Undertake quality assurance measures and processes. Able to participate in training needs analysis, and to teach and educate health service professionals and multi-agency partners.
Able to review, evaluate and update local Guidelines and Policies in light of research findings and legislative changes. Able to work effectively with colleagues in wider networks. The Named Nurse for LAC should undertake further professional training appropriate to role. The Named Nurse for LAC should participate regularly in peer support and education networks for specialist professionals at a local, regional, and national level according to professional guidelines (and their attendance should be recorded).
To actively participate and/or facilitate in the provision of in-house training for the health needs of Looked After children and provide any additional staff training as required. Risk Management To identify areas of risk in the delivery of the service to LAC and recommend changes to minimise risk. To report all incidents with Bexley placed LAC children within and outside of the borough. To collate statistical information on LAC children within the Trust, to identify trends, volume of work and to assist further planning.
Research, Audit and Evaluation To initiate research where there is an identified need to inform practice. To disseminate to the Trust any research undertaken regarding Looked After Children and its implication for clinical practice. To ensure any new information resulting from research is communicated through training or other means to all relevant staff. Take a lead within the Trust in monitoring and auditing the effectiveness of supervision, procedures, and child protection practices.
Financial To have an awareness of the service budget with support from the line manager. Communications and Relationships To provide expert professional advice and support to clinicians and other staff within the Trust and community with regard to safeguarding children. To liaise closely with Looked After Children professionals within other Trusts and Boroughs to enhance practice and ensure quality transfer of care. To ensure clear lines of communication between managers and staff with regard to all LAC information and data collection.
To access monthly supervision from the Designated Nurse for LAC based in Clinical Commissioning Group. To ensure the views of Looked After Children are heard and consultation is carried out to enable responsive service delivery. General To uphold and adhere to the Trusts corporate values at all times. To plan and interpret own workload and that of others adhering to Trust policies procedures and guidelines.
Use own judgement to define short, medium and long term work priorities. Work unsupervised using own judgement and decision-making skills on day to day operational and strategic issues. Maintain a professional work ethic and promote professionalism within the directorate. To critically reflect on own performance through supervision / action learning.
To maintain a calm and professional approach when dealing with emotionally distressing and stressful situations. General The post holder may be required to work at any of the Trusts sites in line with the service needs. The post holder must at all times carry out his/her responsibilities with due regard to the Trusts Equal Opportunities Policy. This job description describes responsibilities, as they are currently required.
It is anticipated duties will change over time and the job description may need to be reviewed in the future

Please refer the Job description for details