Child Protection Nurse

Position Overview

The successful candidate will be an integral member of a collaborative multi-agency team responsible for evaluating notifications, information, and referrals concerning children aged 0-18 and their families. This role is pivotal in the MASH process, which involves gathering and analyzing health data from various NHS providers while ensuring patient confidentiality and consent are upheld.

The professional in this role will be tasked with interpreting and disseminating critical information necessary for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. The MASH framework is designed to enhance information sharing within a secure environment.

You will provide guidance and support to professionals from a health perspective regarding concerns related to children and families, assess information, and deliver risk analyses to inform decision-making outcomes.

The Local Authority retains statutory responsibility for managing MASH and referrals, yet the integrated MASH team is responsible for the decision-making and planning required to address notifications or referrals. This collaborative approach is a statutory obligation for all professionals involved in child and family care.

Key Responsibilities

The core functions of the MASH have been established by stakeholders as follows:

1. Establishing a centralized point for referrals and notifications.
2. Co-locating essential partners.
3. Providing a secure and confidential environment.
4. Facilitating case-by-case risk or need analysis.
5. Enabling broader victim identification within communities.

About South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust

Join a Trust recognized for excellence by the CQC. South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust has achieved outstanding ratings in our latest CQC inspection, and we are seeking dedicated professionals to help us enhance our services further.

We deliver a wide range of services across Warwickshire and beyond, including hospitals and community services. Our organization is progressive and expanding, with a strong commitment to improving quality, integrating care pathways, and achieving high productivity levels.

Our core values can be summarized as 'Trusted to provide safe, effective, and compassionate care.' Throughout the recruitment process, candidates will be encouraged to reflect on how they embody these values and their impact on their work.

Responsibilities and Duties

Analytical Skills and Autonomy

Contribute to the performance enhancement of the MASH by taking the health lead in designated areas as agreed by the team.

Coordinate and participate in relevant internal and external working groups, providing expertise and support as needed.

Deliver timely advice and reports on MASH functions to designated professionals for inclusion in safeguarding reports.

Conduct audits, both single and multi-agency, as required, and develop action plans to facilitate practice improvements.

Collaborate with MASH team members to investigate variances in MASH activity and actively contribute to implementing solutions.

Identify risks and issues related to the integrated team's functions to facilitate resolution and escalation processes.

Record, interpret, assess, and present health information that may influence the risk or needs assessment of children from various health perspectives, ensuring fair and proportionate processing of information.

Engage in multi-agency risk assessments to inform case management, providing advice and challenging decisions when necessary.

Recommend enhancements to current safeguarding arrangements through analysis, audits, and reporting to improve decision-making processes across the health sector.

Ensure accurate and timely information analysis and reporting to Trust Named Professionals and senior management on agreed areas of work.

Participate in relevant internal and external projects and initiatives to provide analytical advice and expertise.

Performance Measurement Areas

Contribute to the strategic planning of MASH projects, identifying interdependencies across functions and services, potential impacts of MASH activities, resource requirements, and necessary adjustments.

Assist in developing performance and governance strategies and implementing MASH improvement programs aligned with Trust priorities.

Support the development of short, medium, and long-term service enhancements for MASH to achieve quality outcomes.

Develop and implement data collection systems and MASH protocols that ensure accurate and timely data management while adhering to relevant legislation and confidentiality standards.

Identify service gaps and issues affecting clinical pathways and escalate evidence of ineffective safeguarding arrangements to the appropriate individuals.

Contribute to establishing key performance indicators for assessing individual and departmental success.

Communication and Collaboration

The post holder will be part of a co-located multi-agency team, including police officers, social workers, and administrative support.

The role requires maintaining constructive relationships with a diverse range of internal and external stakeholders, particularly health professionals across various services and disciplines.

Through effective communication, the post holder will identify, collate, and assess relevant health information to contribute to multi-agency risk assessments.

Clearly articulate complex safeguarding information to a wide array of professionals, ensuring understanding of safeguarding risks.

Disseminate decisions and pertinent health information to relevant health professionals, including Named Nurses and/or Doctors as appropriate.

Share best practices on behalf of health professionals during relevant events.

Promptly report to the statutory Named Lead Nurse Safeguarding Children or the Executive Safeguarding Children Lead when issues require escalation or may attract public interest.

Maintain accurate records of health outcomes on the designated MASH recording system for each case.

The job holder will undertake any other duties as reasonably required by their line manager.

The job description and person specification may be reviewed periodically to align with the evolving needs of the department and organization.

Assist in evaluating and analyzing the health contribution to the MASH process.

Staff Responsibilities

Take the health lead in coordinating training and development opportunities to ensure comprehensive understanding of the MASH initiative and promote succession planning.

Work autonomously as a clinical practitioner, providing Trust-wide expertise on safeguarding issues and delivering training to enhance colleagues' understanding of the MASH process and partner thresholds.

Policy and Service Responsibilities

Contribute to reviewing and developing information management systems and fostering an integrated approach to service management.

Develop policies and procedures within the role that impact the broader organization as necessary.

Financial and Resource Responsibilities

Provide regular reporting and monitoring from a value-for-money perspective.

Information Responsibilities

Ensure the compilation of accurate records in accordance with NMC guidelines and local record-keeping policies.

Research and Development

Actively contribute to Trust Research and Development activities by collating information about the MASH approach and analyzing findings.

Physical and Mental Effort

The role requires light physical effort and frequent concentration, with predictable work patterns.

Emotional Effort

Limited exposure to distressing circumstances, with occasional need to communicate unwelcome news regarding performance targets.

Working Conditions

Office-based environment.

Qualifications and Experience

Essential Qualifications

• Registered Nurse
• Health Visitor, School Nurse, or Community Paediatric Nurse Specialist Degree in Community or Public Health
• Degree-level education or equivalent experience in safeguarding/child protection

Essential Experience

• Extensive community experience at a senior level
• Significant experience in politically sensitive environments
• Experience managing risks and escalating concerns
• Experience handling child protection caseloads
• Experience assessing risk and needs for children
• Experience establishing and implementing internal processes
• Experience managing a work-stream without direct line management

Essential Skills

• Significant experience in domestic abuse
• Evidence of continued professional development in safeguarding children
• Understanding of the public sector and healthcare environment
• Proficient in IT and community recording systems
• Knowledge of multi-agency working with children and families
• Familiarity with local and national legislation and policy
• Ability to produce concise communications for diverse partners
• Strong analytical skills for complex issues
• Ability to contribute health perspectives in multi-agency meetings
• Ability to challenge decisions effectively
• Commitment to promoting equality and good working relations

Personal Qualities

• Capability to act on incomplete information for decision-making
• Ability to plan over various timeframes and adjust plans as needed
• Capability to manage workload and make informed decisions under pressure
• Experience co-working in complex environments

Other Requirements

• Willingness to undergo DBS checks