Specialist Nurse

Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust; Exeter; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional healthcare trust is seeking a Specialist Nurse dedicated to children and young people in care. The ideal candidate will assess complex health needs, conduct statutory Review Health Assessments, and create evidence-based Personal Health Plans. Effective communication and advocacy skills are essential for supporting care-experienced children and collaborating with multi-agency teams. This role promotes health outcomes and ensures children voice their perspectives in healthcare.

Benefits

Carer-friendly employer policies

Flexible working opportunities

Qualifications

• Experience in assessing health needs of children in care.
• Knowledge of statutory Review Health Assessments.
• Ability to deliver individualised Personal Health Plans.

Responsibilities

• Assess complex health needs of children in care.
• Develop and deliver training packages for health promotion.
• Collaborate with multi-agency teams to meet health needs.

Skills

Health assessment skills

Problem-solving skills

Advocacy

Communication skills

Analytical abilities

Education

Nursing qualification

Relevant experience in children's health

Job description

As a Specialist Nurse for children and young people in care, you will assess the complex health needs of Children in Care and undertake high‑quality statutory Review Health Assessments, providing analysis and interpretation of complex health needs and delivering comprehensive, evidence‑based and individualised Personal Health Plans. You will apply expert knowledge and theory to support, sign‑post and advise children in care, care leavers, colleagues, parents, carers, and other agencies to promote the holistic well‑being and health outcomes of the care‑experienced population.

Be confident in providing appropriate health promotion and develop and deliver training packages based on evidence and on identified need. Act as an advocate for care‑experienced children & young people and ensure they have the opportunity to voice their perspectives in shaping their own health experiences and in service development. You will receive support, professional leadership, advice and supervision from the Children and Family Health Devon Nurse Managers and Named Nurse for CIC and Care Leavers.

In accordance with the DOH 2015 guidance "Promoting the health and wellbeing of looked after children" and the Intercollegiate Framework 2020 competence skills and knowledge framework, the Specialist Nurse will be an autonomous practitioner, managing and prioritising their own workload with a flexible, responsive approach. You will demonstrate problem‑solving skills and collaborate with the Nurse Managers and Named Nurse to meet service demands.

The Specialist Nurse will assess the complex health needs of Children in Care and undertake a high‑quality, holistic, evidence‑based statutory Review Health Assessment, providing analysis and interpretation of the health needs, delivering a comprehensive and individualised Personal Health Plan to meet identified needs and seek to reduce inequality. You will provide a coordinated, multi‑agency approach to healthcare for CIC & Care Leavers across Devon and Torbay, working alongside social care, education, fostering and other organisations to ensure all health needs of CIC and Care Leavers are met. You will support the Nurse Managers and Named Nurse for CIC to ensure children and young people receive high‑quality health care and access to relevant services.

Employment context

We are currently entering a formal consultation process to move all Children and Family Health Devon (CFHD) staff to a single provider. Staff currently employed by Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust will transfer to Devon Partnership NHS Trust on 1 April 2026. Please note that this may result in some differences in recruitment documentation and processes during this transition period.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• Communication and working relationship
• Planning and organisation
• Analytical and judgement
• Safeguarding
• General
• Responsibility and accountability
• Responsibility for patients and client care
• Policy and service responsibility
• Responsibility for finance, equipment and other resources
• Responsibility for supervision, leadership and management

If you provide support to a family member or friend with health or care needs, we aim to be a Carer‑friendly employer. We have a 'Staff Carers' policy which includes flexible working where possible and a Carer's Passport scheme that links you into support and discounts.

Important information

• We reserve the right to close vacancies early if we receive a high volume of applications. Therefore, we encourage you to apply promptly.
• Please read the job description carefully and tailor your application to reflect the requirements of the role.
• Applicants who identify in their application form they are a part of the Armed Forces community will be guaranteed an interview, provided they meet the minimum essential criteria outlined in the job description and person specification for the role. Step into Health guidance can be found on our NHS Employers website.
• Correspondence will be sent via Trac, text, and email. Please ensure you check your email and Trac account regularly.
• Applicants with no previous NHS experience will ordinarily be appointed to the minimum of the band.
• If you have not received an invitation to interview within 28 days of the closing date, please assume that your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.
• It is your responsibility to ensure the timely receipt of appropriate references.

The Trust is committed to preventing discrimination, valuing diversity and achieving equality of opportunity. No person (staff, patient or public) will receive less favourable treatment on the grounds of the nine protected characteristics as governed by the Equality Act 2010. If you require support you can obtain this from our Equality Business Forum which has representatives from all protected groups.