Community Learning Disability Nurse

Devon Partnership NHS Trust; Honiton; On-site; GBP 29,000 - 37,000; Full time

Job summary

Devon Partnership NHS Trust is seeking an enthusiastic Nurse Practitioner for the Specialist Community Health Team. The role involves providing holistic care and support for people with learning disabilities, working collaboratively with the Multi-Disciplinary Team. A focus on person-centred care and evidence-based practices is essential, as well as strong communication and partnership skills. The position allows for personal growth in a supportive work environment that values a healthy work-life balance.

Qualifications

• Experience of working with people who have a learning disability required.
• Good verbal and written communication skills essential.
• Ability to work as part of a multidisciplinary team.

Responsibilities

• Promote services in line with local and national policy for people with learning disabilities.
• Undertake assessments and interventions as an autonomous practitioner.
• Facilitate access to mainstream health services for people with learning disabilities.

Skills

Communication

Empathy

Teamwork

Problem-solving

Education

RNLD or Equivalent RN Qualification

Job description

Location: Honiton, EX14 1HU
Salary: £29970.00 to £36483.00
Date posted: 30th May 2025
Closing date: 15th June 2025

There is an exciting opportunity for a Nurse to join our Specialist Community Health Teamfor People with Learning Disabilities in East Devon. The role is for a nurse practitioner,working alongside and supporting the wider Multi-Disciplinary Team.

We are looking for anenthusiastic and forward-thinking Learning Disability Nurse to join our team.In return, we offer a supportive team environment that encourages personal andprofessional growth, with opportunities to further develop your knowledge andskills. Based within a trust which values work-life balance, allowingflexibility to maintain a fulfilling career while also prioritising yourwellbeing.

The successful applicant wouldwork collaboratively with other professionals within the MDT to provideholistic assessment and intervention, underpinned by evidence based practice,to support people with learning disabilities who are experiencing distress. Excellentcommunication skills and a person centred approach to care is central to therole. A working knowledge of Positive Behaviour Support would beadvantageous. Being a community nursing role, the ability to work autonomously,alongside strong partnership skills, is required.

Devon Partnership NHS Trust islooking to become a recognised centre of excellence and expertise, thesuccessful applicant should hold the Trusts values and have the competenciesand confidence to inspire and involve staff to help reach this target over thenext five years.

Main duties of the job

Promoteservices in line with current local and national policy & guidance forpeople with Learning Disabilities, which promotes the rights and inclusion ofthis client group.

Undertakeall aspects of practice as an autonomous practitioner and report to the Band 6accordingly, including professional and legal accountability for own workwithin an agreed policy framework.

Toact as a point of contact for family, carers and other professionals during theservice users care pathway.

Facilitateopen and easy access to hospital and other mainstream health services forpeople with learning disabilities.

Developeffective and collaborative working with healthcare and multi-agencycolleagues.

Toassist in identifying and meeting the training needs and providing specialistand nursing advice when appropriate / required.

About us

We provide mental health, learning disability and neurodiversity services, as well as a range of specialist & secure services for the wider south west region & nationally. We are passionate about promoting good mental health & wellbeing. We strive to use the expertise & resources within our organisation, and through our partnerships, to deliver high quality services that are safe & focused on people's recovery.

We are committed to developing a culture of coproduction, involving patients, families & carers in everything we do

Our values

We not only recruit based on qualifications & experience - we recruit individuals who possess & demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. These include such attributes as showing a commitment to quality of care, improving lives of others, giving respect, dignity & compassion. We can bring those values to life in our everyday tasks by giving a smile; making time for people; challenging ourselves & others, & being open to new ideas.

We are committed to being an inclusive employer & applications are encouraged & welcomed from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics as governed by the Equality Act 2010. Part time & flexible working applications will be considered & supported, where possible. We particularly encourage applicants with lived experience of mental health conditions, neurodiversity or learning disabilities. We are a Disability Confident Leader.

Job responsibilities

Aspart of the Specialist Health Community Learning Disability Team, the postholder will be expected to work across and support all of the nursing functions ContinuingHealth Care, Intensive Assessment and Treatment and Primary Care Liaison.

Thepost holder will be expected to undertake assessments and formulations, developcare plans and undertake relevant interventions and evaluate care plans andinterventions accordingly.

Thepost holder will work in a person-centred way, working closely with people withlearning disabilities, their families and carers as part of their day to daywork and with wider stakeholders as appropriate.

There is an emphasis to work using a strengths-basedapproach across our service, ensuring that people with a learning disabilityare supported to have their physical and mental health needs identified andaddressed (avoiding inappropriate admissions to hospital wherever possible andmaximising health outcomes).

Duty and responsibilities

Promoteservices in line with current local and national policy & guidance forpeople with Learning Disabilities, which promotes the rights and inclusion ofthis client group.

Undertakeall aspects of practice as an autonomous practitioner and report to the Band 6accordingly, including professional and legal accountability for own workwithin an agreed policy framework.

Toact as a point of contact for family, carers and other professionals during theservice users care pathway.

Facilitateopen and easy access to hospital and other mainstream health services forpeople with learning disabilities.

Developeffective and collaborative working with healthcare and multi-agencycolleagues.

Toassist in identifying and meeting the training needs and providing specialistand nursing advice when appropriate / required.

Communication and Working Relationship Skills

Operationalaccountability rests with the Senior Operational Manager.

Communicatessensitive, confidential information concerning patients/clients requiringempathy, persuasion and reassurance. Some may have special needs.

Makinguse of special communication techniques such as total communication.

Formeffective working relationships across health and social care organisationsas required.

Toact with diplomacy making decisions as situations develop, ensuringappropriate feedback to partner organisations.

Tocontribute to the development of relevant accessible information for serviceusers and their families/carers when required, to support care and treatment.

Analyticaland Judgemental Skills

Undertakerisk assessments and determine the appropriate course of action, which hastaken into consideration a range of possible options. Where necessary, ensurethat consultation with senior colleagues is undertaken.

Useclinical judgement to consider complex facts or situations, requiringanalysis, interpretation and comparison of a range of options whendetermining the type of care required for someone with complex health needs /behaviours of concern. Undertakeand continuously re-evaluate assessments. Where necessary, ensure thatconsultation with senior colleagues is undertaken.

Havean awareness of your own clinical competencies, knowledge base andexperience, and ensure that you practice within this and seek support asrequired.

Thepost holder is expected to work within the policy frameworks of both theiremploying authority and the authority hosting them (where appropriate). Wherethere is a conflict, management guidance should be sought.

Planningand Organisational Skills

Thepost holder is expected to plan and organise their own diary and dailyworking schedule. They are responsible for ensuring their own administrationreturns such as Data Capture Sheets, travel etc. are completed on time, areaccurate and are submitted through the correct channels.

Thepost holder will ensure all Core Mandatory & Statutory Training, asidentified by Devon Partnership NHS Trust is up-to-date.

Plansprovision of care for patients, e.g. clinics, health education, ensuringreviews are held within the required time frames.

Organise relevant meetings as required e.g. coregroup meetings, professional and risk meetings.

Responsible for managing own workload ofnon-complex clients, to ensure the needs of the individuals who use ourservices are met, taking the wider needs of the team into consideration.

Plan the workload of junior colleagues whereappropriate / required.

Responsibilityfor Patient/Client Care, Treatment and Therapy

Assesses, plans, implements and evaluates clinicalcare of patients/clients; gives specialist advice to clients/carers.

They are responsible for ensuring accuraterecording of advice and any intervention and the monitoring of anyinterventions.

To provide support and advice regarding mentalcapacity, consent & best interest to the service user, their family /carer, and the professionals involved in decision making about their care.

To identify reasonable adjustments with peoplewith learning disabilities and communicate with relevant service to supportwith the implementation of the adjustments as appropriate.

To act as an advocate for people with learningdisabilities when required.

Responsibilityfor Policy and Service Development Implementation

Postholder will follow policies and makes comments on proposals for change.

Assistareas in recognising potential barriers to access to care and othercommunication issues in relation to individuals with learning disabilities,and provide advice and support as required.

Topromote active participation of service users and their families / carers inthe healthcare process, working within the Public and Patient Involvementagenda / Trust Together strategy.

Towork in partnership with people with learning disabilities, self-advocacygroups, PALS and carers groups in the development, implementation andmaintenance of service provision where appropriate.

Toassess the impact of local and national initiatives and provide feedback on Trustinitiatives relating to skills competency of its workforce.

Responsibility for Finance, Equipment and Other Resources

The postholder has a personal duty of care in relation to equipment and resources.

Responsibilityfor Human Resources, e.g. Supervision, Training, HR Advice and Management

It is expected that the post holder will offersupervision and support to Band 4, Band 3 staff and to student nurses onplacements. The post holder will offer training to non-specialists in theirown area where appropriate.

Responsibility for Information Resources and AdministrativeDuties

To utiliseinformation systems as instructed (including paper based and electronicsystem). To gather, record and maintain information on individual clients andgeneral work activity. To ensure all returns are completed in a timely manner.

To maintain confidentiality ofinformation regarding patients and relatives at all times.

Ensureinformation resources are used to maintain knowledge of Trust, Directorateand Team priorities and safety initiatives.

Maintainup to date clinical record in a timely and accurate manner.

Ensureinformation is shared with key stakeholders and other agencies in a securemanner.

Responsibility for Research and Development

Undertakesurveys or audits, as necessary to own work.

Occasionalparticipation in R&D activity/ clinical trials.

Freedom to Act

Works withinclearly defined occupational policies, work is managed, rather thansupervised.

Works withincodes of practice and professional guidelines.

AnyOther Specific Tasks Required

The ability to access allareas of Devon in a timely manner is essential. Some out of area work may berequired from time to time.

Person Specification

Planning and Organisational skills

• Able to work across professional team and organisational boundaries.
• Able to analyse situations and assist in the planning of interventions to meet identified needs.
• Ability to delegate and prioritise workload of band 3 & 4 where applicable.
• Ability to manage various demands within the workplace.
• Effective time management.

Physical skills

• Ability to be mobile across a geographical area.

Qualifications

• RNLD or Equivalent RN Qualification Professional, clinical knowledge acquired through training to degree/diploma level.
• Experience of working with people who have a learning disability.

Communication and Working Relationship Skills

• Good verbal and written communication skills.
• Basic computer skills.
• Able to provide and receive complex sensitive information in relation to staff, service users, families and carers.
• Openness Shares information and good practice appropriately.
• Mutual respect Treats others with courtesy and respect at all times.
• Accountability Takes responsibility for own actions and promotes good team working.
• Ability to work as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• An awareness of diversity and equality.
• Understanding of Total Communication.

Experience

• Understanding of managing own workload.
• Understanding of assessment, planning, intervention and evaluation of Nursing care.
• Understanding of dealing with violence and aggression.
• Understanding of mainstream health and social care services.

Knowledge

• Good knowledge of Learning Disability services.
• An understanding of Mental Health Act/ MH Capacity Act.
• Understanding of recovery principles in Learning Disability Services.
• Understanding of professional and current issues in learning disabilities nursing.
• Understanding of the health needs of people with learning disability and the health inequalities of people with a learning disability.
• Working knowledge of equality and diversity.
• Working knowledge of clinical governance.
• Knowledge of safeguarding adult services, Mental Health Act and Mental Capacity Act including DOLS; Continuing Health Care Framework

Analytical and Judgemental Skills

• Able to problem solve and assist others in this process.
• Ability to assess and manage risk effectively.

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.