Job summary
Are you passionate about improving children's health and wellbeing? This is an exciting opportunity to join the Children's Diabetes Service as a Children's Diabetes Support Worker. You will work closely with the diabetes team to support children, young people, and their families in managing diabetes across Somerset.
A key aspect of the role is helping families set up and use diabetes technology--such as insulin pumps and glucose monitoring devices--and providing ongoing support to ensure integration with the wider multidisciplinary team. Whether you're an experienced healthcare support worker or looking for a development opportunity, we offer full training and mentorship tailored to your needs.
You'll be based on the Children's Unit at Musgrove Park Hospital but will also support families in their homes, schools, and community clinics--so a valid UK driving licence and access to your own car is essential.
Join us in making a difference. Apply today to become part of a supportive and dynamic team committed to delivering outstanding care to children and families living with diabetes.
Main duties of the job
Support the children's diabetes nursing team with clinical, technological, and administrative tasks.
Work with children and families to set up diabetes management technology, ensuring confident and safe use.
Conduct home and community visits as a lone worker to provide in-person training, troubleshooting, and education.
Provide ongoing support to families, signposting to additional services and liaising with external agencies where appropriate.
Maintain accurate records of clinical interactions and support data collection for service audits.
Assist in planning and running diabetes-related events and social activities for children and young people.
Organise and maintain stock of medical devices and liaise with equipment suppliers as needed.
Triaging calls and emails, escalating to clinical staff where necessary.
Support preparation for outpatient clinics including downloading and setting up diabetes devices.
- Organise social events for children living with diabetes
About us
At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:
- Flexible working options to help you balance work and life
- NHS pension scheme for long-term financial security
- Generous annual leave allowance to recharge and relax
- A strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potential
Additionally, you'll gain access to our Blue Light Card, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.
We are proud to foster a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.
Why Somerset? Somerset offers the perfect blend of idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty, and breathtaking coastlines, with vibrant cities like Bristol, Bath, and Exeter just a short drive away - and only two hours to London.
The region is home to excellent educational facilities, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future.
Somerset truly has it all - the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.
Job description
Job responsibilities
As a Diabetes Support Worker, you will play a vital role in helping children and families adjust to life with diabetes, focusing particularly on the use of diabetes technology.
Your responsibilities will include:
- Assisting children and families with the initiation and continued use of blood glucose monitors, sensors, and insulin pumps.
- Visiting homes and schools to help set up technology and deliver tailored support, often working independently.
- Communicating professionally and compassionately with children, parents, and colleagues across disciplines--including dietitians, psychologists, paediatricians, and educators.
- Leading on practical support systems such as maintaining equipment stock levels, coordinating technology starts, and helping organise diabetes clinics and events.
- Collecting and recording data in relevant systems to support service audits and performance monitoring.
- Promoting equality of access to care and working creatively to overcome barriers to health and wellbeing (e.g. food insecurity, technology access)
This post offers the opportunity to make a real impact in the lives of young people and develop specialist skills in paediatric diabetes care, technology, and community-based service delivery. Whether you are starting your healthcare journey or looking to take the next step, we will support you with full in-house training, clinical supervision, and professional development.
For the main duties and responsibilities for this role please read the attached job description and person specification.
Job description
Job responsibilities
As a Diabetes Support Worker, you will play a vital role in helping children and families adjust to life with diabetes, focusing particularly on the use of diabetes technology.
Your responsibilities will include:
- Assisting children and families with the initiation and continued use of blood glucose monitors, sensors, and insulin pumps.
- Visiting homes and schools to help set up technology and deliver tailored support, often working independently.
- Communicating professionally and compassionately with children, parents, and colleagues across disciplines--including dietitians, psychologists, paediatricians, and educators.
- Leading on practical support systems such as maintaining equipment stock levels, coordinating technology starts, and helping organise diabetes clinics and events.
- Collecting and recording data in relevant systems to support service audits and performance monitoring.
- Promoting equality of access to care and working creatively to overcome barriers to health and wellbeing (e.g. food insecurity, technology access)
This post offers the opportunity to make a real impact in the lives of young people and develop specialist skills in paediatric diabetes care, technology, and community-based service delivery. Whether you are starting your healthcare journey or looking to take the next step, we will support you with full in-house training, clinical supervision, and professional development.
For the main duties and responsibilities for this role please read the attached job description and person specification.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- NVQ Level 3 or equivalent or evidence or working towards this. (Social work/education equivalent qualifications welcomed.)
- Evidence of further study in child health/social care related areas.
Experience
Essential
- Experience in either child health or social care setting.Experience of lone working, working on own initiative.Experience of working in a team.
Additional Criteria
Essential
- Ability to work flexibly to meet the demands and requirements of the role; hours usually Monday -- Friday between 09:00 -17:00, with very occasional overnight, weekend or evening work for special events eg residential activity trips.
- Child health and social care knowledge.
- Understanding of chronic health conditions in childhood.
- Ability to prioritise work, to work independently and as part of a team.
- Ability to plan / organise and deliver teaching sessions.
Desirable
- Knowledge of clinical audit processes.Knowledge of Diabetes NICE guidance and diabetes best practice tariff.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- NVQ Level 3 or equivalent or evidence or working towards this. (Social work/education equivalent qualifications welcomed.)
- Evidence of further study in child health/social care related areas.
Experience
Essential
- Experience in either child health or social care setting.Experience of lone working, working on own initiative.Experience of working in a team.
Additional Criteria
Essential
- Ability to work flexibly to meet the demands and requirements of the role; hours usually Monday -- Friday between 09:00 -17:00, with very occasional overnight, weekend or evening work for special events eg residential activity trips.
- Child health and social care knowledge.
- Understanding of chronic health conditions in childhood.
- Ability to prioritise work, to work independently and as part of a team.
- Ability to plan / organise and deliver teaching sessions.
Desirable
- Knowledge of clinical audit processes.Knowledge of Diabetes NICE guidance and diabetes best practice tariff.
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.
