Community Health Worker

Job Summary

• Fixed Term 18 Months

Community Health Worker with Health Visiting team, Public Health Nursing - Teignbridge

Are you passionate about positively impacting the health and well-being of children?

If you possess a QCF or equivalent qualification or NVQ 3 Foundation degree (Childcare related) or equivalent and are interested in joining a progressive, forward-thinking, and innovative Public Health Nursing team, we would be thrilled to hear from you.

We currently have a vacancy in Teignbridge with full-time availability.

Other positions are also open within Public Health Nursing across Devon - please check our other ads for those roles on Devon Jobs.

Main Duties of the Job

The Community Health Worker provides support to families with children aged 0-8 years by engaging with them in clinics, groups, and home settings. They also assist families with their child's development through conducting the 1 and 2 1/2 year development review. Community Health Workers collaborate with Health Visitors and School Nurses to conduct whole-family assessments, as well as support parents with various aspects like behavior management, toilet training, and sleep management, following targeted episodes of care as directed.

You should have a genuine interest in working with children, a strong grasp on children's safeguarding, and familiarity with the Healthy Child Programme and broader public health initiatives.

The ideal candidate will be able to exhibit the qualities outlined in the person specification and display a commitment to continuous professional development to uphold high standards in care delivery.

About Us

Benefits

• Employee Assistance Program
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• Development Opportunities - Perks at Work and Discounts Scheme
• Flexible working arrangements within service hours

We take pride in achieving a 'good' CQC rating across all domains in our recent inspection.

• DCC embraces the positive impacts of having a diverse workforce, creating an inclusive and safe environment. We encourage applications from individuals who support our efforts to combat discrimination, address inequality, and enhance diversity across Devon. Visit our Equality and Diversity webpages for more details.
• Open to Flexible Working - The Council provides options for flexible working such as hybrid working, part-time roles, condensed hours, and more.
• We are dedicated to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, expecting all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
• This position necessitates the ability to effectively fulfill all verbal aspects of the role with confidence and fluency in English.
• Personal data collected from you will be handled following the Applicant privacy notice.
• For additional insights on Working for Devon, please refer to our Working for Devon webpage.
• A DBS disclosure is required for this role.

Job Responsibilities

Children in Care Council, 2016

We are seeking individuals who prioritize treating us with fairness and care. We expect workers to value our perspectives, listen attentively, respect our experiences, maintain focus during interactions, and communicate clearly and concisely.

Moreover, we anticipate our workers to be diligent, honor commitments, respond promptly, provide updated contact information, cultivate strong relationships, exhibit flexibility, and prioritize our well-being.

Job Purpose:

The Community Health Worker collaborates with the public health nursing team to deliver preventive and supportive healthcare services to children, young people, and families. Responsibilities include working under the guidance of a Specialist Public Health Nurse or Team Leader within a specified population. As part of the public health nursing team, the role involves liaising with a diverse multi-disciplinary team to offer public health services to the community through various settings.

This role necessitates the ability to proficiently execute all verbal aspects of the role in English.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

The primary duty of the post holder is to facilitate the provision of universal services and targeted interventions to address health disparities in alignment with national and local objectives, including the Healthy Child Programme.

Collaborating with others to provide suitable guidance and assistance to families based on evidence-based practices under the supervision of a Specialist Community Public Health Nurse (SCPHN).

Directing families to supportive services such as Children's Centers and offerings from the local authority or voluntary sector. Maintaining meticulous and clear records following standards and guidelines, ensuring thorough analysis and outcomes for the child.

Promoting and supporting activities like breastfeeding, optimal infant feeding practices, nutrition, dental care, and smoking cessation. Effectively communicating with individuals who may face communication barriers, being prepared to leverage resources to assist those with language or sensory challenges.

Adroitly engaging with distressed or irate individuals, for instance, aiding families with a special needs child. Using communication to empower, motivate, or assist individuals, families, and colleagues by employing effective approaches based on the health requirements or circumstances.

Recognizing situations where service users necessitate guidance and support from the Specialist Community Public Health Nurse, such as family reassessment, evolving complex family health needs, or child protection concerns, thereby ensuring safe practices.

Utilizing relevant equipment like electronic scales and measuring tools accurately and interpreting results. Referring measurements that fall outside normal parameters.

When appropriate, overseeing and maintaining equipment, such as ensuring the servicing of scales as needed. Showing consideration for efficient and effective resource management, such as accurately predicting and managing supplies, promptly notifying the line manager of any encountered challenges.

Scheduling assigned workload to prioritize client care needs, optimizing time and travel efficiency.

Coordinating and supporting service delivery within health and community settings, including child health clinics, the National Childhood Measurement Programme in schools, and the Healthy Child Programme.

Maintaining a daily electronic diary containing precise records of work content and travel details.

Initiating and participating in data collection, research, audits, surveys, and receiving feedback from service users. Engaging in supervision sessions and annual evaluations to reflect on work performance, comprehend objectives, and track progress towards achieving them.

Utilizing continuous professional development to reinforce, update, or enhance clinical skills.

Please refer to the attachment on the right-hand side to view the complete Job Description and Person Specification.

Experience

Essential

• Evidence of continuous professional development
• Capability to operate as a reflective practitioner
• Experience in group and family work
• Awareness of Child Protection protocols

Desirable

• Familiarity with services for children and families
• Background in delivering health promotion initiatives
• Experience in assessing child development

Qualifications

Essential

• QCF or equivalent qualification NNEB /CACHE/ BTECH Diploma (2-year full-time course) or NVQ 3 (Child care related) Foundation degree or equivalent