Assistant Practitioner
East of England Community Health and Care NHS Trust (Cambridgeshire)
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Job summary
East of England Community Health and Care NHS Trust is seeking an enthusiastic Assistant Practitioner to join the 0-19 Healthy Child Programme in Peterborough on a fixed-term contract until 31 March 2028. The post involves working with families and children aged 0–5, delivering the Healthy Child Programme across Peterborough.
You will promote health and wellbeing, support families facing challenges, and work with the Health Visiting team both independently and in collaboration.
Qualifications
- Formal childcare qualifications required as listed in the job spec.
- Experience and knowledge of child development and health programmes are essential.
- Leadership and ability to work with families in community settings.
Responsibilities
- Assist caseload holder in delivering care autonomously.
- Deliver packages of planned care to families with children 0-5.
- Maintain accurate records and communicate with Health Visitors.
- Attend mandatory training and participate in service improvements.
- Manage appointments and coordinate referrals within the locality.
- Support families with complex needs and provide guidance to carers.
Skills
Education
Tools
Job description
Main area 0-5 Assistant Practitioner Grade Band 4 Contract Fixed term: 15 months (to 31/3/2028) Hours
- Part time
- Flexible working
Employer East of England Community Health and Care NHS Trust (Cambridgeshire) Employer type NHS Site 2 Phorpres Close Town Peterborough Salary £28,392 - £31,157 per annum, pro-rata Salary period Yearly Closing 04/10/2026 23:59 Interview date 13/10/2026
East of England Community Health and Care NHS Trust delivers expert healthcare in people’s homes, community hospitals and local settings across the East of England.
Our nurses, therapists, clinicians, support teams and partners work together to provide coordinated care that supports independence, recovery and wellbeing. We believe people are best cared for close to home, in the communities where they live and belong.
By combining professional expertise with strong local relationships, we help people stay well, feel supported and access the right care at the right time. Expert healthcare, close to home, trusted by our communities.
Different ideas, experiences and backgrounds make us stronger and more creative and applications from all walks of life are welcomed. Our processes ensure that all applicants are treated fairly at every stage of the recruitment process.
East of England Community Health and Care NHS Trust is committed to creating a modern and inclusive work environment. We actively promote flexible working opportunities where possible to meet the needs and wishes of our workforce and maintain and improve their wellbeing. We also offer flexible working patterns and we would encourage you to discuss this with the recruiting manager before or during the application process if this would interest you.
We welcome applications from people who share our values and can help us deliver outstanding care in our local community.
Before applying for this vacancy, please make sure you’re familiar with ongoing GOV.uk sponsorship eligibility criteria which will impact the organisations' ability to provide sponsorship, whether this is currently or in the future.
Please note all new starters will be subject to a 6 month probationary period.
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
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.
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.
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 people’s 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 duties Duties 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 Cambridgeshire’s 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 duties To 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 Management Actively 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 Governance Observe 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.
- NNEB / or equivalent
- BTEC National Diploma in Children's Care, Learning and Development
- CACHE Level 3 Diploma in Child Care and Education
- NVQ Level 3 in Children's Care, Learning and Development
- Foundation degree in relevant area of study
- Achievement of Care Certificate or willingness to undertake within 6 months of employment.dditional training in child development
- Experience of working with children, young people and their families
- Able to undertake autonomous and independent working
- A comprehensive & sound awareness of child development
- Understanding of the public health agenda
- Experience of working with families in the community
- Experience or an awareness of multidisciplinary agencies
- Ability to work flexibly as part of a team.
- Knowledge of IT packages such as Word, Outlook or SystmOne
- Demonstrates understanding of safeguarding issues
- Good communication/ interpersonal skills
- Full driving licence and access to a vehicle
- Ability to facilitate group work with young people / parents/ carers
Equal Opportunities - We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome all applications irrespective of age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, race or religion. Additionally, people with disabilities that fall under the Disability Confident Scheme will be offered an interview providing they meet the minimum criteria for the post (outlined in the Person Specification). All sites are Smoke Free.
If you need this application in an offline format, please let us know. Immigration Status – East of England Community Health and Care NHS Trust is a diverse employer and welcomes all job applications. However, potential applicants should note that although the Trust is registered with the Home Office as a sponsor organisation for migrant workers, sponsorship can only be offered against eligible roles. If you are an applicant from outside the UK and do not already hold a self-gained right to work, we recommend you check the Home Office eligibility requirements before making an application.
Please note: Although we are a registered sponsor organisation, we are unable to offer sponsorship for some job roles, and this will be identified through filtering questions at the start of any job application on the Trac recruitment system.
Our safe recruitment pre-employment checks are undertaken before an appointment is confirmed and may include a DBS check. Where the role requires you to drive, we'll ask you to validate your driving licence online via the DVLA.
Redeployment - Please note that in the first instance priority for this vacancy will be given to staff who are on the Trusts Redeployment Register.
Closing and Interview Dates -This vacancy may close early if sufficient applicants are received.
Data Protection - A privacy notice detailing how we will handle your data is attached to this advert as a document. Your application will be transferred to our recruitment management system (Trac) once the advert has closed and you will receive notification then detailing how Trac will handle your data.
ALL CORRESPONDENCE will be via the e-mail address on your application form. If you have not been invited to interview within 2 weeks of the closing date, you unfortunately haven't been successful on this occasion, but keep an eye on our vacancies as a job that's just right for you may appear!
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Name Jayne Brown Job title 0-19 Healthy Child Programme Team Manager Email address jayne.brown10@nhs.net Telephone number 07783 885882
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