Job summary
We are delighted to announce a newly created opportunity for a passionate and experienced registered children's nurse to join our Community Child Health Team as a Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS). This role is designed to support the paediatric neurodevelopmental pathway working as a member of our multi-disciplinary/agency team and will also lead the delivery of nurse-led Education, Health and Care Needs Assessment (EHCNA) clinics.
We're seeking a compassionate and confident registered children's/adult or learning disability nurse with experience of working in the community and paediatric neurodevelopmental care. You may also have additional experience gained through a health visiting, school health or complex nursing needs/learning disability background.
You'll be confident, able to work with uncertainty, thrives in multidisciplinary settings, brings clinical insights, a leader, innovative, flexible, compassionate, willing to learn and dedicated to reducing health inequalities and improving outcomes for children and families
This is a chance to make a meaningful difference in the lives of children and young people with developmental needs in Lewisham, while shaping a service that is responsive, inclusive, and forward-thinking.
Main duties of the job
- Deliver high-quality, nurse-led clinics and assessments for children and young people with neurodevelopmental conditions, including autism, global developmental delay, and learning disabilities.
- Independently conduct comprehensive health needs assessments of children and young people with complex needs across various areas of the Child Health Service. This includes performing developmental assessments, collecting detailed neurodevelopmental histories, and observing social interaction and behaviour in nursery or school settings. Clinic assignments will be matched to the competencies of the postholder, and all necessary training will be completed according to clinical practice standards
- Work collaboratively with consultants, allied health professionals, and wider multi-agency teams to ensure timely, coordinated care.
- Act as a central point of contact for families, offering guidance on therapeutic, educational, and social support services.
- Contribute to service development, clinical audits, and quality improvement initiatives.
About us
Our people are our greatest asset. When we feel supported and happy at work, this positivity reaches those very people we are here for, the patients. Engaged employees perform at their best and our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) initiatives contribute to cultivate a culture of engagement. We have four staff networks, a corporate EDI Team and a suite of programmes and events which aim to insert the 5 aspirations:
- Improving representation at senior levels of staff with disabilities, from black, Asian, and ethnic minorities background, identify as LGBTQ+ and women, through improved recruitment and leadership development
- Widening access (anchor institution) and employability
- Improving the experience of staff with disability
- Improving the EDI literacy and confidence of trust staff through training and development
- Making equalities mainstream
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see the attached job description and person specification for further information about this role.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see the attached job description and person specification for further information about this role.
Person Specification
Education, Qualification and Training
Essential
- RN Child, Adult or Registered Learning Disability Nurse
- 1st Level Degree e.g., BSc Nursing (child) as relevant
- Post registration qualification in appropriate area of speciality or equivalent post qualification experience
- Relevant specialist course or similar
- Mentorship course (supervising and assessing)
- Advanced training/skills in /therapeutic/diagnostic procedures relevant to speciality.
Desirable
- Counselling course
- Non- medical prescribing qualification
- School Health/Health Visiting SCPHN
- MSc level course
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working with CYO with neurodisability, neurodevelopmental disorders, global developmental delay, learning disability and complex needs
- Experience of conducting developmental assessment/reviews with CYP
- Experience of conducting parental interviews and support to strength parenting skill
- Experience of working in community settings
- Significant experience of MDT / multiagency working
- Audit and Research Experience
- Evidence of clinical leadership qualities
- Ability to prioritise and organise workload
- Ability to clinically lead and direct staff
- Experience in patient advocacy
- Experience of providing teaching/education
Desirable
- Lead an audit and/or research study
- Presentation and publishing experience
- Experience leading a service
Skills, knowledge and abilities
Essential
- Knowledge of conditions, management and treatment within speciality
- Clear understanding of Safeguarding within the clinical setting and the relevant procedures
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Highly developed interpersonal skills
- Able to articulate needs and expectations of CYP across all ages of childhood
- Evidence of continuing professional development
- Understanding of National Service Frameworks and NICE guidance relevant to client group/care setting and its application across healthcare and education setting
Desirable
- Experience in change management
- Statistics and report writing
Person Specification
Education, Qualification and Training
Essential
- RN Child, Adult or Registered Learning Disability Nurse
- 1st Level Degree e.g., BSc Nursing (child) as relevant
- Post registration qualification in appropriate area of speciality or equivalent post qualification experience
- Relevant specialist course or similar
- Mentorship course (supervising and assessing)
- Advanced training/skills in /therapeutic/diagnostic procedures relevant to speciality.
Desirable
- Counselling course
- Non- medical prescribing qualification
- School Health/Health Visiting SCPHN
- MSc level course
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working with CYO with neurodisability, neurodevelopmental disorders, global developmental delay, learning disability and complex needs
- Experience of conducting developmental assessment/reviews with CYP
- Experience of conducting parental interviews and support to strength parenting skill
- Experience of working in community settings
- Significant experience of MDT / multiagency working
- Audit and Research Experience
- Evidence of clinical leadership qualities
- Ability to prioritise and organise workload
- Ability to clinically lead and direct staff
- Experience in patient advocacy
- Experience of providing teaching/education
Desirable
- Lead an audit and/or research study
- Presentation and publishing experience
- Experience leading a service
Skills, knowledge and abilities
Essential
- Knowledge of conditions, management and treatment within speciality
- Clear understanding of Safeguarding within the clinical setting and the relevant procedures
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Highly developed interpersonal skills
- Able to articulate needs and expectations of CYP across all ages of childhood
- Evidence of continuing professional development
- Understanding of National Service Frameworks and NICE guidance relevant to client group/care setting and its application across healthcare and education setting
Desirable
- Experience in change management
- Statistics and report writing
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
