Nursery Nurse

NHS; Chelmsford; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare service provider in Chelmsford is seeking an experienced Nursery Nurse to enhance the care of mothers and their infants in a specialist mental health unit. The role includes providing emotional support, monitoring baby welfare, and running educational parent-infant groups. Ideal candidates will have relevant qualifications and experience in mental health and working with young children. This position offers flexible working options, a strong support system, and numerous perks including generous holidays and a relocation package.

Benefits

27 days holiday, plus bank holidays

Excellent pension up to 14.5%

£8K relocation package

Staff discounts including NHS offers

Flexible working from day one

Qualifications

• Must have experience working with 0-1 years in a professional capacity.
• Experience with families in a professional capacity is essential.
• Prior experience working on an acute Mother and Baby unit is preferable.

Responsibilities

• Support the Nurse in Charge in the day-to-day running of the ward.
• Monitor babies' welfare and development.
• Run therapeutic and educational parent/infant groups.

Skills

Strong communication skills

Ability to work with infants

Experience in running parent-infant groups

Experience in mental health

Education

NNEB, CACHE or Diploma

Training in therapeutic activities

Job description

Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

Nursery Nurse

The closing date is 29 December 2025

Rainbow Mother and Baby unit is a 6 bedded specialist commissioned service offering assessment, support and treatment to women suffering from acute mental health illness during their third trimester of pregnancy up to baby being 12 months old.

Admissions are accepted primarily from the east of England. The team works very closely with other key professions to ensure the best outcomes for both mother and baby, therefore strong communication skills are essential.

Perinatal work is an exciting area focusing not only on the individual but the extended family during what can be the most amazing and terrifying time in their life.

This is a great opportunity for an experienced, enthusiastic Nursery Nurse to join our expanding service and support in the care and recovery of the ladies admitted to the service, their infant and wider family.

Join a highly enthusiastic, passionate and committed team. Dedicated to providing the highest quality care for the ladies we treat, their babies and families.

Main duties of the job

• Support the Nurse in Charge in the day to day running of the ward, offering practical and emotional support to patients experiencing acute mental illness and distress.
• Support in the monitoring of babies welfare and development.
• Run therapeutic and educational parent/infant groups on the ward.
• Develop individualised care plans for the babies on the unit.

About us

Valuing you. Recognising your dedication. At EPUT, we look after you.

• Receive supervision and support to help you fulfil your potential.
• Join an inclusive EPUT community and connect with others through engagement events and equality or champion networks.
• If you need help, we provide mental health and wellbeing services, occupational health advice and counselling.
• We run recognition awards to recognise staff's hard work and dedication.
• 27 days holiday, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days after 10 years' service.
• Excellent pension of up to 14.5% of your pensionable pay.
• Staff discounts include Blue Light Card, NHS discount offers, and staff benefits.
• £8K relocation package if you move to Essex to join us.
• Season ticket loans are interest‑free to cover the cost of travelling to and from work via tram, rail, or bus.

Work that wraps around your needs.

• Flexible working: available from day one for most roles.
• Job share: Applications for job shares are welcomed.

Job responsibilities

• Work as part of the wider MDT in developing and delivering individualised care to the women on the ward and their babies.
• Support other team members in delivery of training to staff on baby development and care.

Person Specification

Education

• NNEB, CACHE or Diploma.
• Training in therapeutic activities i.e. baby massage, baby yoga, makaton.

Experience

• Experience of working with 0-1yrs in a professional capacity.
• Experience of working with families in a professional capacity.
• Experience working on an acute Mother and Baby unit.
• Experience of running parent‑infant groups.
• Experience of mental health.

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.

Address

Rainbow Mother and Baby Unit, The Linden Centre