Assistant Practitioner

Somerset Council; Chard Town; Hybrid; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave

LGPS Pension

Hybrid working

Wellbeing support

Volunteering opportunities

Job summary

Somerset Council is recruiting an Assistant Practitioner to support delivery of the Healthy Child Programme and Best Start in Life ambitions. You will provide delegated early intervention, health promotion, and therapeutic support to children, young people and families.

You will work under Health Visitors and School Nurses, contribute to assessments, promote healthy lifestyles, and help families access the right support at the right time, with supervision and guidance available.

Qualifications

• Experience working with children, young people and families within health, education, early years, family support or community settings.
• Understanding of child development, health promotion and the factors that influence children's wellbeing and outcomes.
• Knowledge of safeguarding responsibilities and a commitment to keeping children safe.
• Experience of building positive relationships with children, families and professionals from diverse backgrounds.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to motivate, engage and support others.
• Ability to work independently while contributing effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Confidence in maintaining accurate records and following policies, procedures and evidence-based practice.
• A compassionate, resilient and values-led approach, with a commitment to inclusion, equality and improving outcomes for children and families.

Responsibilities

• Work directly with children, young people and families to provide health and wellbeing support and promote positive outcomes.
• Deliver delegated health promotion, clinical and therapeutic interventions under the guidance of a Health Visitor or School Nurse.
• Contribute to assessments, observations and programmes of care, helping to identify needs and support early intervention.
• Promote healthy lifestyles, including movement, nutrition, emotional wellbeing and wider health improvement messages.
• Support children and families to make positive changes that improve health, wellbeing and development outcomes.
• Work collaboratively with schools, Best Start in Life Family Hubs, healthcare professionals and partner agencies including VCFS E organisations to provide joined-up support.
• Build positive relationships with children, families and carers, ensuring support is family-centred and inclusive.
• Recognise and respond appropriately to safeguarding concerns, following local and national procedures.
• Facilitate group sessions, workshops and community-based activities that support children and families.
• Maintain accurate records and contribute to meetings, service improvement activities and multidisciplinary working.

Skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Independent working

Multidisciplinary teamwork

Education

Level 4 qualification

Level 2 English

Level 2 Maths

Job description

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Join us on our mission to give every child the best possible start in life in Somerset.

This is an exciting opportunity to make a real difference to the health, wellbeing and development of children, young people and families across Somerset. Working as part of our Public Health Nursing Service, you will provide practical support, early intervention and health promotion activities that help children have the best start in life and families thrive.

Working under the guidance of Health Visitors and School Nurses, you will support families to improve health and wellbeing outcomes, contribute to assessments and interventions, and help ensure children receive the right support at the right time.

About the Role

The Assistant Practitioner supports delivery of the Healthy Child Programme and Somerset's Best Start in Life and FOREST ambitions. The postholder provides delegated early intervention, health promotion, clinical and therapeutic support to children, young people and families through individual, group and community-based work.

The role includes contributing to assessments and agreed programmes of care, promoting healthy lifestyles and development, supporting school readiness and the home learning environment, and helping families access the right support at the right time. The postholder will work with families with a range of needs, including those experiencing vulnerability, and will recognise, respond to and escape safeguarding concerns in accordance with local and national procedures.

The postholder will manage delegated work and an allocated caseload within agreed parameters, with access to supervision and professional guidance. They will work independently where competent to do so and escalate needs, risks or decisions that fall outside their competence or role boundaries. The postholder will not independently diagnose, prescribe or make decisions reserved for a registered practitioner.

Key responsibilities

• Work directly with children, young people and families to provide health and wellbeing support and promote positive outcomes.
• Deliver delegated health promotion, clinical and therapeutic interventions under the guidance of a Health Visitor or School Nurse.
• Contribute to assessments, observations and programmes of care, helping to identify needs and support early intervention.
• Promote healthy lifestyles, including movement, nutrition, emotional wellbeing and wider health improvement messages.
• Support children and families to make positive changes that improve health, wellbeing and development outcomes.
• Work collaboratively with schools, Best Start in Life Family Hubs, healthcare professionals and partner agencies including Voluntary Community Faith Social Enterprise (VCFSE) organisations to provide joined-up support.
• Build positive relationships with children, families and carers, ensuring support is family-centred and inclusive.
• Recognise and respond appropriately to safeguarding concerns, following local and national procedures.
• Facilitate group sessions, workshops and community-based activities that support children and families.
• Maintain accurate records and contribute to meetings, service improvement activities and multidisciplinary working.

What you’ll bring

• Experience working with children, young people and families within health, education, early years, family support or community settings.
• Understanding of child development, health promotion and the factors that influence children's wellbeing and outcomes.
• Knowledge of safeguarding responsibilities and a commitment to keeping children safe.
• Experience of building positive relationships with children, families and professionals from diverse backgrounds.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to motivate, engage and support others.
• Ability to work independently while contributing effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Confidence in maintaining accurate records and following policies, procedures and evidence-based practice.
• A Level 4 qualification (or equivalent experience) in a relevant field, alongside Level 2 English and Maths.
• A compassionate, resilient and values-led approach, with a commitment to inclusion, equality and improving outcomes for children and families.

Why Join Us?

At Somerset Council, we're a progressive organisation committed to improving lives and shaping better services for our communities. Based in one of England's most beautiful counties, it's a great place to build your career and enjoy an excellent quality of life.

• Generous annual leave plus bank holidays, with the option to purchase additional leave.
• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS), one of the UK's most generous and secure pension schemes.
• 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.

Find out more about working at Somerset Council:

• This role will require an enhanced DBS check.
• Applicants must have a full valid driving licence and have access to a car for work. If necessary, adjustments can be considered in line with the Equality Act 2010.
• 28 days of annual leave (additional to bank holidays)
• Regretfully, we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role. We are only able to proceed with candidates who already have the right to work in the UK without the need for visa sponsorship

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.