Special School Nurse

Overview

The post holder will work as a Special School Staff Nurse, providing cover and support for schools in the locality from Shoreham-by-Sea to Chichester. The role is delivered under the direction of Special School Nurses and involves clinical and public health nursing of children and young people in partnership with multidisciplinary teams to ensure safe, high‑quality care.

Responsibilities

• Provide cover for special schools within the designated area.
• Deliver clinical and public health nursing to children and young people, in partnership with Special School Nurses, Community Children’s Nurses, Paediatricians and other health professionals.
• Advise and support school staff with everyday health care needs of pupils.
• Assess health care needs, develop and implement care plans and intervention programmes as part of the school health care plan.
• Facilitate learning and development of staff regarding individual child health care requirements.
• Protect, safeguard and promote the well‑being of children in accordance with the Children Act 1989 & 2004 and Working Together to Safeguard Children 2013 & 2023.
• Work within competency to deliver quality nursing care, support, information and advice.
• Provide child‑specific health care procedures training for school staff, including competency‑based assessment where required.
• Help develop, implement and review clinical protocols and standard operating procedures to support safe care.
• Contribute to single and multi‑agency safeguarding of disabled children, young people and young adults.
• Support the delivery of health promotion packages suitable for a Special School setting.
• Ensure timely, concise and accurate documentation of care interventions, including telephone advice and support.
• Act as a resource and role model of special school nursing for other professionals.
• Attend relevant education and training practice updates.
• Work anywhere in West Sussex and Brighton & Hove as required to meet the needs of the commissioned service.
• Participate in clinical and safeguarding supervision as per Trust policy.
• Contribute to the Special School Nursing hub to ensure consistent delivery of safe, quality nursing care for children and young people.
• Continue personal and professional development to maintain competency in key SSN skills relevant to the role.
• Contribute to School Health Care Plans and emergency care plans alongside the designated Special School Nurse.
• Advise on and implement child/young person‑specific health education and promotion interventions.
• Facilitate the health care teaching and learning of all staff, students and any other personnel during community placements.
• Act as a role model to provide health care leadership and support to school staff.
• Maintain high standards of safe, effective health care within the school setting.
• Contribute to the Children and Young Peoples Community Nursing (CYPCN) Service and participate in audits, inspections and reviews.
• Ensure electronic health records are maintained, compliant with Trust policy, and keep accurate, contemporaneous reports.
• Assist Head Teachers, Team Leads, Safeguarding Team and Senior Management in coordinating child protection processes.
• Maintain and analyse relevant service data to demonstrate activity and identify service needs.
• Regularly evaluate the clinical effectiveness of care and, in conjunction with senior management, make adjustments to optimise service delivery.
• Support the development, implementation and evaluation of guidelines, teaching and competency assessment tools for the CYPCN service.
• Participate in nursing research and audit projects aligned with CYPCN standards, quality improvement and development forums.
• Report clinical incidents via the correct channels and assist with implementing recommendations.
• Contribute to the development of evidence‑based health‑related policies, procedures and guidelines.
• Collaborate with professionals across health and social care to meet the needs of children, young people and families.
• Implement and maintain Trust quality initiatives and assurance programmes as relevant.
• Actively engage in the orientation, induction and preceptorship of junior staff.

Qualifications

• Registered Nurse – Child or Learning Disability.
• Current registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).
• Module in mentorship, ENB 998 or equivalent.
• Specialist Public Health School Nursing qualification.
• Experience in partnership with other agencies.
• Minimum 1 year post‑registration experience in Children’s / Learning Disability nursing (RNC).
• Experience working with children who have complex health, disability and palliative care needs.
• Experience planning, managing and coordinating programmes of care with allied health, social, education and volunteer agencies.
• Ability to teach and provide health promotion.
• Experience of School / Community nursing.
• Proficiency in clinical competencies including enteral feeding, airway management, complex bowel and bladder management, tissue viability and pressure management, seizure management, and recognising deteriorating children.
• Proficient clinical assessment and care‑planning skills.
• Knowledge of and ability to contribute to the child and adult protection process.
• Understanding or willingness to learn the Mental Capacity Act and Deprivation of Liberties as they apply to children and young people.
• Broad knowledge of child development.
• Working knowledge of relevant legislation and national guidelines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for complex and sensitive information.
• Ability to prioritise workload and maintain quality care under pressure.
• Capability to develop, implement and evaluate new working practices across education and health domains.
• Competence in delegating skills, including competency and capability assessment.
• Working knowledge of IT and new technologies.
• Skill in assessing health care needs for children aged 0–19 years.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary inter‑agency team and liaise with stakeholders.
• Self‑reflection and critical appraisal of own performance.
• Organisational and responsive skills for complex and sensitive information.
• Commitment to young person‑centred care supporting choice and independence.
• Commitment to ensuring continued well‑being and safety of the child/young person at all times.
• Ability to transfer skills and knowledge to others informally and formally.
• Full driving licence and access to a car to meet travel requirements.
• Awareness of and ability to prevent waste of resources within the service and the wider Trust.
• Positive commitment to equality and diversity policies, role‑modeling dignity and respect for fundamental rights of disabled children.

Other Requirements

• The role may require working anywhere in West Sussex and Brighton & Hove to meet service needs.• The role involves participation in supervision, training, and continuing professional development in line with Trust policy.• A full driving licence and access to a vehicle are essential for travel between schools and other sites.

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