ROLE DESCRIPTION. Designated Nurse Child Protection and Safeguarding

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1 ROLE DESCRIPTION GENERAL INFORMATION Job Title: Designated Nurse Child Protection and Safeguarding Band: 8C Terms & Conditions Of Service: In accordance with the Agenda for Change NHS Terms & Conditions of Service Handbook. Directorate/Function :NHS North Central London - Islington borough Responsible to: Borough Director Responsible for: Main Base: ,Goswell Rd London EC1V 7LQ ROLE SUMMARY Working together to Safeguard Children (2010) states that each PCT is responsible for identifying a senior nurse to undertake the role of designated nurse for safeguarding children across the health economy. In NHS North Central London ( Islington) this role has been defined as follows to reflect Working together to Safeguard Children (2010), London Child Protection procedures (2010) and Safeguarding Children and Young people: roles and competences for health care staff RCPCH intercollegiate document (2010). The post holder will function as the Designated Nurse for Child Protection across the London Borough of Islington. S/he will take a strategic, professional lead with the Designated Doctor on all aspects of the health service contribution to safeguarding children across Islington which includes all the providers of healthcare commissioned by NHS Islington and/or NHS NCL and operating within the borough. S/he will provide specialist advice and guidance to the Executive team and Board on all matters relating to children s safeguarding, and on health-related child protection and safeguarding matters to other agencies. S/he will inform the strategic thinking and direction of NHS North Central London ( Islington), acute and community providers and local partners, and will be directly involved with other commissioners in the development and monitoring of child protection standards. A high degree of effective communication, networking and liaison will be required to establish and maintain good working relationships within Health and with other agencies to ensure that information relating to Child Protection is up to date and embedded in practice.

2 MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 3.1 Expert Practice To ensure robust, systems, policies, procedures, professional guidance and training programmes are in place for all Islington health services. These include Whittington Health, Moorfields Eye Hospital Foundation Trust (MEH), Camden and Islington Foundation Trust (CIFT), health services in HMP Pentonville and HMP Holloway, primary care providers and other independent contractors, so that children at risk can be identified by staff at an early stage and protected from harm where possible, and effective care can be provided for children and families where abuse has already occurred. To be responsible with the Designated Doctor for ensuring that the medical/nursing components of Islington Safeguarding Children Board procedures are updated at appropriate intervals and for ensuring that each provider Trust has policies and procedures in keeping with local LSCB procedures. To work with NHS North Central London (Islington) and all partners to ensure those obligations under the 1989 and 2004 Children Acts are met. To ensure that the promotion of anti-discriminatory practice is an integral part of all practice with children in need and children in need of protection. To ensure that the perspective of children and their carers is incorporated into all aspects of child protection practice. To work with Islington s Public Health, Clinical Commissioning Group and other commissioning structures to ensure that child protection standards are integrated into all commissioning processes and service specifications. To lead in the analysis and appropriate development of services relating to Safeguarding Children and be an expert in managing change. To provide professional nursing advice to other statutory and voluntary agencies on health matters relevant to safeguarding children. 3.2 Professional Leadership and Inter-agency Responsibilities To carry a specialist advisory role for all partners, whilst developing and implementing policies, procedures and guidance which reflect local standards of practice and Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures To facilitate the embedding of safeguarding within commissioning and performance management across the health economy in Islington, and contribute to the wider public health and strategic agenda. To provide professional advice, support, leadership and supervision to Named child protection professionals within Whittington Health, MEH, and CIFT in relation to meeting child protection specifications and duties.

3 To advise the Chief Executive and/or Lead Director of NHS North Central London (Islington) and provider Trusts in Islington on questions of planning and strategy to ensure that the performance indicators in relation to child protection are met. To ensure that there is a continuous assessment of clinical and organisational risk and that the Trust Board, the PEC, the Borough Director and relevant local partners are informed in a timely fashion about potential problems and evaluated options. To represent health on the Islington Safeguarding Children Board (ISCB) and ISCB sub-groups as appropriate (Quality Assurance sub-group, Child Death review panel and Serious case review group) and to ensure appropriate health representation at other sub-groups. To ensure that each healthcare provider in Islington has a specific link to the ISCB. To represent health in the inter-agency planning process for children in need of protection by contributing to the ISCB business plan and other local initiatives. To be jointly responsible, with the Designated Doctor for Child Protection, for coordinating and evaluating the health component of Serious Case Reviews undertaken in the Islington LSCB area. To provide, jointly with the Designated Doctor for Child Protection, a health overview report with recommendations for health on behalf of NHS North Central London ( Islington) and NHS London. To present the findings to the Trusts and NHS London as well as other relevant partners. To work with Service Managers to ensure recommendations are acted upon. In relation to Serious case reviews: to collaborate with the ISCB and named professionals in Islington provider Trusts to ensure that the recommendations of all reviews are incorporated into changes in policy and practice as necessary. To review and evaluate the practice and learning from all Serious case reviews in conjunction with all involved health professionals and providers in the PCT area. To ensure that expert health advice on child protection is available to other agencies. To monitor and audit the implementation of the Serious Case Review recommendations. To provide an annual report and regular assurance bulletins directly to NHS North Central London Board, via the NCL Quality and Assurance committee. To be a nominated contact and liaison person with other health organisations as well as outside agencies at local and national level. To be responsible person for the collation and dissemination of information relating to Child Protection. This will ensure an awareness of changes to legislation,

4 regulations, practice and guidance. It will also facilitate a consistency of practice across agency and geographical boundaries. To be responsible for the safety of sensitive and confidential information held both manually and electronically. To act as a role model for clinical leadership in general and clinical nursing leadership in particular. To provide high quality clinical leadership and advice to the ISCB and other multi-agency strategic and operational groups. In conjunction with the Designated Doctor, represent NHS Islington on ISCB SCR Panels. To respond to requests for information/input from NHS London/London Safeguarding Children Board. 3.3 Education, Training and Development To initiate and support the development and enhancement of professional knowledge and skills in all aspects of Child Protection in line with KSF and Children s workforce competencies. This will include ensuring that systems are in place for quality assurance and audit, and that all areas of weakness are identified and rectified across health agencies. To ensure that all provider organisations have robust child protection training strategies in place, and to be part of the planning and development of the multi-agency child protection training programme through the LSCB, ensuring that the training meets the needs for all health staff, including independent contractors. To ensure appropriate training is in place for adult services where the impact of illness may seriously compromise parenting ability. To ensure that NHS North Central London (Islington) s annual contribution to ISCB funds is appropriately allocated to relevant activities.. To work with operational services across health to ensure the continued development of a skilled workforce. To ensure the development and provision of a systematic training programme designed to meet the needs of Islington s independent health practitioners. To be a member of Islington s multi-agency children s workforce group in order to ensure child protection and safeguarding training is appropriately commissioned. 3.4 Service Development To chair and take a leading role in the Islington Network of named and designated child protection doctors and nurses.

5 To participate fully in and advise on the work relating to Safeguarding in NHS Islington, NHS NCL (sector) and provider organisations. 3.5 Audit, research and evaluation To work with the Designated Doctor to ensure there are effective audit systems of Child Protection services across the local health economy in order to monitor agreed local child protection policies and procedures. To provide information for partner organisation/agencies regarding Child Protection, and identify trends by analysing local and national data. To identify areas for collaboration in multi-agency audit and research projects and to co-ordinate a programme of R&D activity across Islington. To apply the results of evidence-based practice research to own role. To develop the activity and use of multi-agency audit and research with partners including the LSCB To advise on audit and monitoring of the quality, acceptability and effectiveness of training. 3.6 Communication and working relationships To work in partnership with the Designated Doctor and the named doctors/nurses for Child Protection within Whittington Health, Moorfields Eye Hospital Foundation Trust (MEH), Camden and Islington Foundation Trust (CIFT), HMP Pentonville and HMP Holloway, primary care providers (independent contractors) and neighbouring health commissioner/providers. To attend regular meetings with managers and clinicians to ensure a Child Protection focus is maintained within strategic plans and service delivery. To attend regular, and as required, multi-agency meetings with the Local Authority Children & Young People s Service, the Police, Youth Offending Service, Probation and voluntary agencies. To represent NHS Islington, NHS NCL (sector) and NHS London on the LSCB and other related multi-agency sub-groups and working groups. To attend national and regional meetings with Health Service Committees in order to maintain specialist knowledge and awareness of the professional and legal issues arising in Child Protection. To be a member of the NHS London regional safeguarding designated professionals group. To actively work with difference in all communications and interactions, and to demonstrate a high level of awareness and skills in working and communicating across different organisational and personal cultures, including where there may be conflict.

6 3.7 Supervision To advise on the need for appropriate child protection case focused supervision at all levels within health services in Islington. To provide regular supervision to the named professionals from Whittington Health, Moorfields, and Camden and Islington Foundation Trust Where a serious case review is required, to supervise and advise the named nurse/s involved To engage in his/her own supervision. 3.8 Personal Development To attend relevant local and national continuing professional development activities in order to maintain up to date skills in the area. 3.9 General To work in accordance with NHS NCL policies and guidelines at all times. To comply with all statutory legislation, PCT Financial Framework guidance and approved national and local policy. To be responsible for own continuing professional development and to take a proactive approach to maintaining personal and professional effectiveness in an evolving role. To act in accordance with the NHS NCL equal opportunities policy and to demonstrate a commitment to equal opportunities policy in relation to employment and service delivery. To support opportunities for staff from ethnic minority groups to develop their career in the NHS and contribute to the diversity of our workforce so that is reflects the population we serve. Note: This job description is a reflection of the current position and the postholder is expected to view it as a guide rather than an exact description of all duties and responsibilities. It may be varied from time to time in consultation with the postholder. 4. PROBATIONARY PERIOD This post is subject to the requirements of a six month probationary scheme for new staff only. 5. CONFIDENTIALITY All information concerning patients/clients and staff must be treated as strictly confidential at all times. 6. VALUING DIVERSITY

7 It is the aim of the PCT to ensure that no job applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of sex, sexual orientation, marital/partnership status, race, religion, age, creed, colour, ethnic origin, disability, part time working status and real or suspected HIV/AIDS status and is not placed at a disadvantage by conditions or requirements which cannot be shown to be justifiable. To this end the PCT has a Valuing Diversity in the Workplace Policy and it is for each employee to contribute to its success. 7. HEALTH & SAFETY Employees must be aware of the responsibilities placed on them under the Health and Safety at Work Act (1974), and to ensure that agreed safety procedures are carried out to maintain a safe environment for employees, patients and visitors. 8. NO SMOKING POLICY There is a smoke free policy in operation in the PCT. In accordance with this policy smoking is positively discouraged and is not permitted anywhere within the buildings, on the premises or grounds. Designated smoking areas or smoking rooms are not permitted. Support is provided for staff members who wish to stop smoking. 9. DATA PROTECTION If you have contact with computerised data systems you are required to obtain, process and/or use information held on a computer or word processor in a fair and lawful way. To hold data only for the specific registered purpose and not to use or disclose it in any way incompatible with such purpose. To disclose data only to authorised persons or organisations as instructed. 10. DATA PROTECTION ACT 1998 All staff who contribute to patients health records are expected to be familiar with, and adhere to, the PCT s Standards of Records Keeping Policy. Staff should be aware that patients records throughout the PCT will be subject to regular audit. All staff who have access to patients records have a responsibility to ensure that these are maintained efficiently and that confidentiality is protected in line with the PCT s Confidentiality of Health Records Policy. All staff have an obligation to ensure that health records are maintained efficiently and that confidentiality is protected. Staff are also subject to this obligation both on an implied basis and also on the basis that, on accepting their job description, they agree to maintain both patient / client and staff confidentiality. In addition, all health professionals are advised to compile records on the assumption that they are accessible to patients in line with the Data Protection Act WASTE DISPOSAL

8 All staff must ensure that waste produced within the PCT is disposed of in such ways that control risk to health, or safety of staff and the public alike in accordance with relevant legislation and procedures contained within the policy. 12. IMPROVING WORKING LIVES (IWL) IWL is an NHS-wide initiative aimed at ensuring staff have good work/life balance, access to training, and support from their employer. The PCT is committed to maintaining a high standard of practice within IWL and, as such, staff have access to a wide range of flexible working options, childcare support, and many training and development opportunities. 13. PROFESSIONAL REGISTRATION I) If you are employed in an area of work which requires membership of a professional body in order to practice (e.g. Nursing & Midwifery Council for nurses), it is a condition precedent of your employment to maintain membership of such a professional body. It is also your responsibility to comply with the relevant body s code of practice. Your manager will be able to advise you on which, if any, professional body of which you must be a member. ii) iii) iv) You are required to advise the PCT if your professional body in any way limits or changes the terms of your registration. Failure to remain registered or to comply with the relevant code of practice may result in temporary downgrading, suspension from duty and/or disciplinary action which may result in the termination of your employment. If you are required to have registration with a particular professional body or to have specific qualifications you must notify your manager on appointment of such fact and provide him or her with documentary evidence of them before your employment commences or, at the latest, on your first day of employment. Furthermore throughout your employment with the PCT, you are required on demand by your manager to provide him or her with documentary evidence of your registration with any particular professional body or in respect of any required qualifications. 14. RISK MANAGEMENT All PCT employees are accountable, through the terms and conditions of their employment, professional regulations, clinical governance and statutory health and safety regulations, and are responsible for reporting incidents, being aware of the risk management strategy and emergency procedures and attendance at training as required. All staff have a responsibility to manage risk within their sphere of responsibility. It is a statutory duty to take reasonable care of their own safety and the safety of others who may be affected by acts or omissions.

9 All managers through out the organisation have a responsibility to ensure that policies and procedures are followed, that staff receive appropriate training, that a local risk register is developed and monitored on a quarterly basis and any changes reported to the Clinical Governance Committee and Risk and Assurance Committee. Managers are responsible for implementing and monitoring any identified risk management control measures within their designated area/s and scope of responsibility. In situations where significant risks have been identified and where local control measures are considered to be potentially inadequate, managers are responsible for brining these risks to the attention of the Clinical Governance Committee or Risk and Assurance Committee if resolution has not been satisfactorily achieved. 15. INFECTION CONTROL Infection Control is everyone s responsibility. All staff, both clinical and non clinical, are required to adhere to the Hygiene Code (2006), the Trusts Infection Prevention and Control Policies and make every effort to maintain high standards of infection control at all times thereby reducing the burden of Healthcare Associated Infections including MRSA. All staff employed by NHSI have the following key responsibilities: Staff must wash their hands or use alcohol gel on entry and exit from all clinical areas and/or between each patient contact. Staff members have a duty to attend mandatory infection control training provided for them by the Trust. Staff members who develop an infection (other than common colds and illness) that may be transmittable to patients have a duty to contact Occupational Health. 16. POLICY DEVELOPMENT To contribute to the development of guidelines and policies as appropriate including, for more senior roles, in their writing and development. 17. REVIEW OF THIS JOB DESCRIPTION This job description is intended as an outline indicator of general areas of activity and will be amended in the light of the changing needs of the organisation. To be reviewed in conjunction with the postholder on an annual basis. 18. INITIALS AND DATE OF PREPARATION (insert as required)

10 This role description is intended as a basic guide to the responsibilities of the post and is not exhaustive and may be subject to review in consultation with the post holder. PERSON SPECIFICATION Job Title: Band: Give full job title Indicate proposed band followed by TBC This is a specification of the qualifications, knowledge, experience, skills and abilities, that are required to carry out effectively the responsibilities of the post (as outlined in the role description) and forms the basis for selecting a candidate. Ensure that all criteria used are: necessary to include; specific and expressed clearly; and measurable (and give thought to how you will measure whether applicants meet the criteria) REQUIREMENTS ESSENTIAL DESIRABLE EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS professional registration (if required) highest academic / other qualification or training programme include one other qualification where justifiable KNOWLEDGE Relevant knowledge gained through previous employment, training, or by other means Aim for 3 6 bullet points in total EXPERIENCE Experience required to do the job (but do not specify in number of years) Aim for 3 6 bullet points in total

11 SKILLS, ABILITIES and PERSONAL QUALITIES