Assistant PractitionerNHS

Job summary

Join Us in Shaping Bright Futures for Children in Cambridgeshire!

Part-time opportunities available in Peterborough

Are you passionate about child development & eager to make a real difference in your community?

East of England Community Health & Care Trust is seeking an enthusiastic, dynamic & caring Assistant Practitioner to join our dedicated skill-mix team on a fixed term contract until 31 March 2028. You'll work with families & children aged 0-5, delivering the Healthy Child Programme across Peterborough.

This is more than just a job, it's a chance to transform lives, support families & help children thrive.

As an Assistant Practitioner, you will:

• Promote the health & wellbeing of children, young people & families through an early-help & partnership approach
• Provide support to families facing challenges such as mental health difficulties, disabilities or complex needs
• Work both independently & collaboratively alongside our Health Visiting team

We're looking for someone who:

• Holds an NVQ Level 3 in Child Development (or equivalent). A Health & Social Care NVQ is not suitable
• Has a strong understanding of child development
• Is confident in providing advice & guidance to families
• Thrives both in team settings & when working independently

If you're ready to bring your skills, compassion and energy to a role that truly matters, we'd love to hear from you.

Should we receive a high no. of applications, we reserve the right to close this vacancy at any point after 28.9.26

Main duties of the job

The post holder will be expected to be able to act autonomously.

To support the integrated 0-19 Healthy Child Programme (HCP) locality team in providing an innovative and high quality service in an environment that enhances client care and promotes child and family wellbeing.

To support the ongoing assessment and review of clients.

To work without direct supervision to a specified caseload of clients who are identified as needing further support as part of the universal and universal plus aspects of the service provision.

To act as first contact in clinics and outreach locations ensuring a high standard of client care.

To liaise regularly with the caseload holder to assist in the co-ordination and development of the service.

To develop specialist interest areas in order to enrich the knowledge and skills set within the Cambridgeshire Children & Young Peoples Service.

To facilitate health programmes independently or in partnership with health and locality teams.

Participate in continuous service improvement within the organisation/ service priorities.

Job description

Main Duties and Responsibilities To assist the caseload holder in the management and delivery of care to clients autonomously. Duties may include:

Building on existing assessment of families needs and deliver packages of planned care with no direct supervision.

To provide and receive complex and sensitive child related information from health and social care staff.

To decline referral if not appropriate which requires excellent negotiation skills and appropriate sign posting.

Support to clients with more complex/ additional needs.

To demonstrate ability for motivation and behaviour change with children and families enabling self-efficacy, resilience and strength-based relationship.

To recognise and report any health and safety or risk issues

To write records in a concise, accurate and timely manner in line with Cambridgeshire Community Services Record Keeping Policy.

To independently carry out specified assessment and intervention as allocated and discussed with the Health Visitor/ School Nurse and using own initiative and experience to modify according to the clients needs.

To hold own caseload with support from Specialist Community Public Health Nurse (SCPHN) for those families with planned packages of care.

To hold a special interest role and support other staff within the locality and service.

To promote peoples equality, diversity and rights.

To contribute to the care of all clients, ensuring safety and dignity at all times.

To be aware at all times of the needs of client groups and to promote and encourage positive health choices.

To plan and manage own day to day tasks which may include organisation of health education events.

Specific dutiesDuties will include working independently in a variety of settings and at times dealing with emotional and distressing circumstances.

Undertaking independent decision making regarding specific referrals in relation to the 6 high impact areas to improve outcomes for children, young people and families within Cambridgeshires 0-19 HCP Teams.

To attend mandatory and relevant training courses and to maintain up to date clinical knowledge and skills in order to perform in the role.

To provide support and guidance, and practical training to new members of staff.

To engage in weekly allocation meetings and to work across a specific locality according to service need.

To assist in the prioritisation of referrals and booking appointments and independently assess clients in clinic and outreach locations.

To identify unmet needs and gaps in service provision and highlight these to SCPHN or Team Manager.Ensure all equipment used is safe, clean and suitable standard according to policies.

General dutiesTo provide timely data on referrals and clinical activity.

To take individual responsibility for any health and safety issues and undertake obligations under the Health and Safety Act.

Communication To liaise as appropriate with members of 0-19 HCP locality team.

Develop good working relationships and liaise as appropriate with parents/ carers, and other health, social or voluntary agencies.

To communicate effectively with clients in complex situations. Communication skills of engagement, negotiation, motivation and explanation will be required to enable the management of potential barriers to communication.

To be actively involved in the communication of complex information regarding clients needs and any other useful information to the Health Visitor/ School Nurse or other members of the team.

Budgetary Responsibility Take responsibility to minimise incurred expenditure e.g. Mileage, telephone calls use of stationary etc.

People ManagementActively participate in annual performance reviews providing evidence of attaining the relevant knowledge and skills required for the job.

To attend mandatory and relevant training courses and to maintain up to date clinical knowledge and skills in order to perform in the role.

To participate in staff and service development through attendance at service meetings and in service training.

Clinical and Practice GovernanceObserve and maintain strict confidentiality with regards to any information in line with the requirements of the Data Protection Act.

Any data that is taken/shared as part of a phone call or transported, faxed or transferred electronically must be undertaken with regard to the Trust Information Governance and Information Security policies.

The post holder must adhere to the Trust risk assessment and risk management processes.

To contribute in programmes of support for new staff or students.

To actively participate in programmes of supervision to maintain own development and reflective practice.

To actively engage in developing own practice through annual clinical observations.

The post holder must adhere to infection control policies and procedures.

The post holder must participate in Clinical & Safeguarding audits as required.

The post holder is required to participate in relevant emergency preparedness process for their team.

About us

Rated 'Outstanding' by the Care Quality Commission, we are proud to provide high quality innovative services across most of the east of England that enable people to receive care closer to home and live healthier lives.

There's one reason why our services are outstanding - and that's our amazing staff - who, for the seventh year running, rated us incredibly highly in the national staff survey.

If you share our passion for innovative and high-quality care delivery, then please submit your application and join us on our exciting journey as a leading-edge specialist community provider. All are welcome to apply and our promise to you is a culture which prioritises staff engagement and development.