School Nurse Specialist Practitioner

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust; Wythenshawe; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) operates the School Health Service across Manchester, delivering the Healthy Child Programme and health promotion to children and families. The post sits within the School Health Service, contributing to safeguarding and public health outcomes.

Staff cover citywide duties, requiring a UK driving licence and access to a suitable vehicle for travel between bases.

Qualifications

• First level Registered Nurse (degree level) with UK registration.
• Post-registration education/training HE level 6/7.
• Practice Assessor/Supervisor competent.
• Specialist Community Public Health Nurse qualification (SN) OR School Nursing Certificate/Diploma.

Responsibilities

• Provide clinical leadership and professional direction within the school health team.
• Identify service development and monitor quality standards.
• Assess, allocate and respond to requests to promote and maintain health and wellbeing of children and families.
• Maintain accurate records and storage in line with NMC, Data Protection Act and Trust policies.
• Liaise with partner agencies to ensure effective communication.
• Carry out 1:1s and appraisals to ensure annual Development Plan.

Skills

Evidence-based practice

Leadership

Communication

Time management

Collaboration

Education

First level Registered Nurse (degree level)

Post-registration HE level 6/7

Practice Assessor/Supervisor competent

Specialist Community Public Health Nurse/SN or School Nursing qualification

Tools

EMIS

MS Office

Job description

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This post is positioned within the School Health Services, part of the Children’s Community Services Directorate in Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust. The School Health Services consist of School Nursing and Healthy Schools. They operate citywide across Manchester working in partnership with schools to improve the health outcomes of children, young people and their families.

Comprising of child focused functions; National Child Measurement Programme and Screening; Healthy Weight Team; Healthy Schools Programme; and the Healthy Child Programme, the School Health Service contributes to tackling health inequalities by addressing the city’s key public health priorities for children.

This is a great opportunity for personal/professional development. The post holder will deliver the Healthy Child Programme (DHSC 2026) in line with the Manchester School Health Service offer, ensuring that care is evidenced based with safe levels of intervention as well as contributing to the safeguarding arena with report writing in line with the trust policies.

Whilst staff will primarily work within one team, they may be required to work at other locations to ensure equitable service delivery. Core service hours are Monday to Friday 8.00 am to 5.00 pm.

Staff are required to travel between multiple bases at short notice and may on occasion be required to transport training materials or equipment.

Main duties of the job

To work as part of the school health team to provide clinical leadership support and professional direction.

Be proactive in the identification of service development in consultation with Team Leads and Heads of Service and participate in developing, monitoring, and evaluating quality standards within the service.

To assess, allocate, and respond to requests for advice and support in order to promote and maintain the health and well‑being of children and families.

Maintain professional standards of accurate and timely record keeping and storage in line with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) guidelines, Data Protection Act and MFT policies and procedures.

Keeps an accurate and up to date diary on EMIS and follows Trust policy regarding confidential information.

To liaise with partner agencies as appropriate to ensure an effective communication system.

The post holders will promote the safeguarding of children, working within a multi‑agency team.

The post holder will have responsibility for the completion of 1:1's and appraisals of named staff members to ensure completion of an annual Appraisal and Development Plan.

Due to the nature of the role, carrying equiptment and working citywide, applicants must hold a valid UK driving licence and have access to a vehicle that is suitable for business use

Working for our organisation

Join Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) and become part of a 30,000 plus strong team, delivering exceptional care to over 1 million people every year. As the largest provider of specialist services, and our Oxford Road Campus in Manchester, the largest health academic campus in Europe, we are forward‑thinking, committed to clinical excellence and driven to deliver innovation, and continuous improvement.

Whether you’re beginning your career or taking the next step, MFT offers a stimulating and supportive environment where your contribution truly matters. Our Hive Electronic Patient Record system enables safer, smarter, and more efficient ways of working - empowering you to deliver the best possible outcomes for our patients.

You’ll be part of a collaborative, multi‑disciplinary community, working alongside professionals from a wide range of clinical backgrounds. Together, we push boundaries, share knowledge, and deliver care that transforms lives.

At MFT, you’ll find a workplace where everyone is respected, supported, and encouraged to thrive. We offer clear clinical pathways for professional development, helping you grow your skills and achieve your ambitions.

Your journey at MFT is more than a job - it’s an opportunity to make a lasting impact. We’ll support you as you shape the future of healthcare, one patient at a time.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

IMPORTANT CANDIDATE INFORMATION

We welcome applications from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences.

Diversity Matters MFT is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating and valuing diversity and eliminating any form of unlawful discrimination across our workforce, ensuring our people are truly representative of the communities we serve. All individuals regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation are encouraged to apply for this post. As an inclusive employer, we are here to support you.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in your application

Here at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, we’re proud to be ALL HERE FOR YOU, for our patients, our communities, and each other.

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check

As part of our commitment to safeguarding patients and staff, many roles at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) require a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. This is a standard process across the NHS and helps us ensure a safe environment for everyone.

What is a DBS Check?

A DBS check is a background check that reveals any criminal convictions, cautions, reprimands, or warnings. The level of check required depends on the role:

Standard DBS : Checks for spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands, and final warnings.

Enhanced DBS : Includes the above, plus any additional information held by local police that’s considered relevant to the role.

Enhanced with Barred Lists: Includes all of the above, plus checks against the children’s and/or adults’ barred lists.

Who Needs a DBS Check

Most roles involving direct patient contact, working with children or vulnerable adults, or access to sensitive information will require a DBS check. The job advert and recruitment team will let you know if this applies to your role.

The Costs for a DBS

At Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT), roles that require a DBS check are subject to a cost recovery policy. This means that the cost of submitting and processing a DBS application if you are successful and join us, will be deducted from your salary within the first three months of employment. If, however, you withdraw from a conditional offer after the DBS process has begun, you will still be liable for the cost incurred.

Candidates are also expected to register with the DBS Update Service which must be completed within 30 days of the certificate being issued. This helps streamline future employment checks and supports safer recruitment practices. For more information, please visit the DBS Update Service.

Person specification

Education and Professional Qualifications

• First level Registered Nurse (degree level)
• Evidence of post registration education and training HE level 6 / 7
• Practice Assessor/Supervisor competent
• Specialist Community Public Health Nurse qualification (SN) OR School Nursing Certificate / Diploma

Experience

• Demonstrable evidence of professional development
• Demonstrable and considerable experience working within the safeguarding children arena
• Demonstrable or relevant experience in delivering health promotion and health education programmes
• able to evidence working with individuals and groups.
• Experience of managing complex caseloads

Knowledge and Understanding

• Detailed knowledge of health and social care policy relating to children’s services to include safeguarding
• Detailed knowledge of national and local strategies relating to the school nursing service
• Demonstrates an understanding of the public health issues in Manchester
• Good understanding of the Manchester School Health Service and it’s delivery of the Healthy Child Programme
• Has a good understanding of the challenges of school health nursing in Manchester.

Skills and Abilities

• Evidence of utilising evidenced based practice and appraising standards, providing clinical direction and support for staff
• Demonstrates leadership skills and understanding of professional responsibilities within the team.
• Evidences establishing and maintaining key relationships with colleagues and other disciplines both internally and externally
• Excellent communication skills both written and verbal
• Demonstrate the ability to facilitate andIs able to organise and prioritise own workload support implementation of service development within a team.
• Delegates and reviews work in line with trust policy

Other Requirements

• IT skills including the use Microsoft packages, the ability to access information using the internet and electronic record systems
• Car driver/owner and willing and able to travel city wide for work purposes; may include occasional regional/national travel
• Flexible and adaptable to changing needs in the service, including attending parents evenings in line with role requirements
• Respects the values, culture and beliefs held by others

Employer certification / accreditation badges

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

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.