Nursery Nurse

South Tees; Tees Valley; On-site; GBP 19,000 - 23,000; Full time

Job summary

South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Nursery Nurse to support children and families in the Children’s Outpatients team. You will help provide care, comfort and emotional support to children aged 0–16, creating a welcoming, safe environment and using play and distraction to reduce anxiety during hospital visits.

You will work closely with nurses and doctors, following the competency framework, and may be asked to support across other areas. DBS checks and probation terms apply.

Qualifications

• Level 3 childcare/early years qualification is essential.
• Strong communication with children, families and staff.
• Knowledge of EYFS principles and safeguarding.

Responsibilities

• Support the care and emotional wellbeing of children aged 0–16 in outpatient settings.
• Assist with procedures and prep in collaboration with nursing staff.
• Create a welcoming, child-centred environment using distraction techniques.
• Support across hospital areas as needed and participate in health promotion projects.

Skills

Excellent communication

EYFS knowledge

Safeguarding

Distraction techniques

Education

Level 3 childcare/early years

Job description

Are you passionate about supporting children and families in a healthcare environment? We are looking for a caring, motivated and skilled Nursery Nurse to join our dynamic Children’s Outpatients team. This is an exciting opportunity to make a real difference to the experience of children and their families attending hospital appointments for assessments and investigations.

Main duties of the job

As a Nursery Nurse in Children’s Outpatients, you will work alongside nurses, doctors and allied health professionals to support the care, comfort and emotional wellbeing of children aged 0-16. You will help create a welcoming, safe, and child centred environment, using play, distraction and developmental support to reduce anxiety and improve the overall patient experience.

Working for our organisation

South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust have come together to form University Hospitals Tees. As a result, post holders may be required to work across sites within both organisations.

Across University Hospitals Tees, our ambition is to be the best place to work, ensuring we have the right staff in the right roles at the right time to deliver outstanding patient care and experience.

We are committed to supporting our staff through an inclusive and supportive working environment, offering health and wellbeing initiatives, staff benefits, and opportunities for personal and professional development.

We are committed to fostering an inclusive recruitment process and welcome applications from suitably qualified candidates, including those who first language is not English.

We support the 'Making Every Contact Count' approach to behaviour change in the promotion of health and wellbeing of individuals and communities.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Under the direction of a qualified nurse will demonstrate competent clinical practice daily within the boundaries of Nursery Nurse Qualifications.

Has an awareness of the psychological, social, physical and cultural needs of children and their families with guidance from trained staff

Has awareness of the psychological upset caused by hospitalisation and aware of distraction strategies that can be used

Provides support to other areas within the hospital setting, where children attend, eg medical photography or radiology departments

Under supervision carries out allocated duties.

Takes part in discussions within the nursing team relating to patient care.

Can recognise own limitations to practice guided by the competency framework associated with their role in collaboration with Trust Policies and Procedures.

Has the physical skills needed to carry out their duties after completion of competencies.

Is present for medical procedures that require nursery nurse support

Contributes towards Health Promotion boards and leads on specific projects.

Will maintain high standards of care supported by appropriate training.

Person specification

Qualifications & Training

• Level 3 qualification in Childcare/Early Years/Education (or equivalent)
• Continuous professional development in childcare or health related areas
• Training in behaviour management or special educational needs

Knowledge & Skills

• Excellent communication skills with children, families and staff
• Demonstrates a good understanding of child development and EYFS principles
• Demonstrates a good understanding of safeguarding principles
• Has good organisational skills and be able to prioritise tasks in a busy environment
• Ability to manage challenging situations calmly and professionally
• Understanding of inclusive practice and strategies for supporting children with SEND
• Experience of working with children with additional health or learning needs

Experience

• Recent working with children and young people
• Has been involved with implementing EYFS framework
• Demonstrates being able to support children with development or medical needs
• Has experience of communicating with other professionals

Personal Attributes

• Demonstrates a caring and child centred approach
• Is professional, reliable and committed to high standards of service delivery
• Is respectful and non judgmental

Important - Once sufficient applications have been received this vacancy may close early.

Disclosure and Barring Checks (DBS)
It is the policy of South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust that all successful candidates who arenew to the Trust who require DBS clearance for the post they have been offered, are required to pay the cost of their DBS. The method of payment for this is via salary deduction from your first month's pay.

Qualifications
Please note the essential qualifications required for the post are outlined within the Person Specification. You are required to provide original evidence of the necessary qualifications for the post at interview should you be shortlisted. You will also be required to provide original copies as part of the pre-employment check screening.

New Starters – Probationary Period

For any new employees commencing employment with South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, you will be subject to satisfactory completion of a 6 month probationary period. Please note that internal applications and individuals that are appointed to fixed term appointments of less than 6 months duration are exempt from the probationary period (unless you are an internal applicant currently part way through a probationary period or a bank member of staff).
Employment References

As part of our pre-employment screening process, all applicants are required to provide references covering their last three years employment history including any gaps. Applicants are requested to ensure e-mail addresses for all referees are included on their application form. Personal references are not acceptable.

Working Hours

If the hours advertised for the post are up to full time (37.5 hours per week), applications are still welcomed from individuals who may be seeking to work less than full-time hours and all requests will be considered in line with the post being appointed to for the successful applicant.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Everything we do is shaped by our values: Respect, Support, and Collaborate.

At University Hospitals Tees we want our workspaces to be places where everyone feels welcome, valued and safe. We treat people with respect, and we celebrate the differences that make each of us unique.

We welcome applications from everyone, no matter your age, background, race, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, family circumstances or beliefs.

We are here to supportyou throughout your application and at every stage of your career with us. We believe we work best when we collaborate, learn from each other and build teams that reflect the communities we serve.

Supporting disabled people and people with long‑term conditions

We are a Disability Confident committed employer aspiring to become a lead employer in 2026.

This means we give fair and full consideration to applicants and will offer reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process. If you need help with your application, or need the information in a different format, please contact our recruitment team and we will support you.

If you have any special requirements to help you with your application, email our team at [e-mail] or call us on 01642 854610

Right to Work in the UK

The Trust welcomes applications from all candidates who meet the criteria for the role. Please note that from January 2021, to work in the UK all candidates who are not UK or Republic of Ireland (RoI) nationals require sponsorship unless you have permission to work via another route. Non UK / RoI candidates wishing to apply can self-assess the likelihood of obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship hereWork in the UK - GOV.UK ( www.gov.uk ).

Please provide full and accurate details of your current immigration status on the application form. Your current immigration status will not be considered as part of the shortlisting or interview process.

Please note that not everyone needs a ‘Skilled Worker’ visa. If you are applying for a vacancy in health or social care, you may be eligible to apply for the Health and Care Worker visa instead.

Further Important Information

Please check your email on a regular basis for updates on your application. If you are shortlisted for interview, you will be invited to email via this method

Existing employees of South Tees NHS Foundation Trust currently on the Redeployment Register, who meet the essential criteria for this post, will be shortlisted and interviewed prior to all other applicants.

Please ensure you read the ‘Guidance Notes for Applicants’ document attached to this advert before completing and submitting your application.

Unfortunately, we are unable to respond to all applicants and those who are not contacted within six weeks of the closing date should assume that their application has been unsuccessful.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

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.

Application numbers

Please note that this vacancy will close when we receive sufficient completed applications.