Band 4

Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust (SCFT) is the largest community healthcare provider in Sussex.

• Over 8,400 full time, part time and bank staff members
• Medical, nursing and therapeutic care provided to over 10,000 children and adults a day
• July 2018 Care Quality Commission (CQC) rating of 'Good' with 'Outstanding' features
• Flexible working patterns offered across all services
• Thriving BAME, Disability and Wellbeing, LGBT+ and Religion and Belief staff networks
• Accredited Level 3 Disability Confident Leader

SCFT is an inclusive employer that promotes equality and challenges discrimination, and welcomes applications from people of all backgrounds. Applications from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates, disabled candidates and LGBT+ candidates are particularly encouraged, to ensure the Trust's workforce reflects the diverse communities it serves.

Job overview

We have an exciting opportunity for two Specialist Early Years Practitioners to join our team. You will either be based at Crawley Child Development Centre or Haywards Heath Child Development Centre (CDC's).

Crawley CDC - 30 hours/week

Haywards Heath CDC - 37.5hours/week

Main duties of the job

As a Specialist Early Years Practitioner you will be working as part of the multi-professional team based within Child Development Services (CDS). You will oversee a delegated caseload; delivering and adapting packages of care programmes and interventions using evidence based assessment and reasoning skills within your scope of competency.

The role requires participation and contribution to delegated assessments of children as part of CDS pathways, contributing to the wider multi-disciplinary assessment, intervention and planned care.

You will offer a range of support and advice for families and their children in a range of settings both individually as well as in groups; based on your competency and experience.

You will take part in and contribute to training, keeping your own personal development up-to-date and engaging in supervision as outlined by Sussex Community Foundation Trust (SCFT).

Working for our organisation

• Positive 2020 NHS Staff Survey results
• The Care Quality Commission (CQC) rates our quality of services as good with outstanding features
• Stunning locations in Sussex, surrounded by the South Downs and the coast
• A great working environment in the community, in patients' homes and our community hospitals
• Excellent training and development opportunities
• Real Living Wage Employer with great rates of pay
• Flexible working options, including job sharing, annualised hours, career breaks, parental leave and adoption leave
• Supportive team environments
• Cost-effective and convenient workplace nurseries
• Thriving BAME, Disability, LGBT+ and Religion and Belief staff networks
• Disability Confident Employer, committed to creating inclusive workplaces

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• To assess and identify caseload and workload within scope of practice and competency through triage and referrals from MDT
• To plan and undertake specialist interventions in a range of settings (including clinics, home visiting, education settings) carrying out developmental assessment, observations, providing support and advice, specific programmes of care and intervention; for children and their families known to CDS and MDT working in collaboration with members of the MDT (eg Paediatrician, Specialist Nurse, Occupational Therapist).
• Plan and deliver specialist group and/ or individual interventions for children and families known to SpEYP caseload, recording outcomes. To include within this creating individual plans/targets/aims for development through play based learning, and opportunities.
• To work independently within scope of practice, competencies and boundaries utilising evidence based practice, making safe decisions regarding the planning, assessment, intervention and support being offered to child/family.
• To plan and support in the delivery of information sharing, advice, and training within scope of practice to peers, students, other professionals and assist in the induction of new staff
• To make onward completed referrals to other agencies as required with support from MDT where necessary.
• To support voluntary staff in SpEYP led groups (where applicable) and in liaison with the SCFT Volunteers lead, setting clear expectations and boundaries of their role
• Works within Pan Sussex Child Protection Procedures reporting any concerns appropriately and escalating to the Specialist Nurse Supervisor or Clinical Services Manager and undertakes relevant in-service child protection training and supervision for role.
• Participates and contributes to regular management and clinical supervision, in line with SCFT policy, reflecting on own and others' practice to ensure safe and effective working. Recognises own boundaries and develops awareness of roles, responsibilities within own scope of practice and competency and of other health professionals and agencies.
• Undertakes training and development relevant to the role and attends MDT meetings as required.
• To participate in yearly appraisal in line with trust policy.
• Maintain confidentiality of information in line with the GDPR Act 2018

Person specification

Experience
Essential criteria

• Minimum 3 years post qualification EYE working in a children's setting or community setting.
• Experience working with children with additional needs
• Experience of multi-disciplinary / professional / agency working
• Experience working in partnership or within child health environment
• Experience providing and receiving complex information
• Highly developed skills of assessment of child development ages and staged (EYFS) and interpretation of findings
• Evidence of specialist skills in taking action and responding to assessments such as safeguarding or health needs

Desirable criteria

• Experience of leading and participation in research and auditing

Qualifications
Essential criteria

• Level 3 Early Years Educator Qualification (E.Y.E) (post 2014) or equivalent. (B.Tech Diploma/NVQ/Cache/City and Guilds)

Desirable criteria

• Level 5 Early Years Cache Diploma/ relevant foundation/full degree

Additional requirements
Essential criteria

• UK Driving Licence

Skills and Knowledge
Essential criteria

• Working knowledge of child development and advanced clinical reasoning in relation to child development
• Ability to demonstrate highly effective verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to organise own workload and delegate when appropriate
• Ability to work as an effective multi-disciplinary team member
• Ability to assess, develop, implement and evaluate programmes of care
• Ability to demonstrate knowledge of key legislation relating to children with additional needs

Desirable criteria

• Ability to demonstrate an understanding of relevant NHS legislation and policies
• Ability to competently use computers including software such as Word, Excel, Powerpoints and proficient use of electronic patient record systems
• Understanding and knowledge of additional health conditions such as Autism

This post may close earlier than the published closing date if sufficient applications are received.

Correspondence relating to this vacancy will be conducted electronically. If you have not heard from us within two weeks please assume that your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion. Please ensure that you check your emails, including your junk folder, on a regular basis. References will be requested electronically as well; please ensure you provide correct contact details for referees.

Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements

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.

Documents to download

• Specialist Early Years Practitioner JD ( PDF , 761.0 KB )
• Specialist Early Years Practitioner PS ( PDF , 761.0 KB )
• Staff Benefits Brochure ( PDF , 484.5 KB )