Detailed job description and main responsibilities

·       Providing 1-1 nursing care to a child / young person assessed as medium or high risk of self-harm / harm to other / behaviour challenges. Some of these children / young people may also be neurodiverse and their individual needs should be considered e.g. environment, self-regulation, de-escalation techniques.

·       Supporting children / young people and their parents / carers waiting for assessment or intervention in the Emergency Department or wider hospital site, providing emotional support, guidance and brief interventions where indicated.

·       Liaising with other services and collecting information to ensure a joined-up approach to patient care.

·       Complete environmental checklists at the start of the shift and at any other time during a shift if indicated.

·       Building trusting relationships with children and young people to support their emotional and psychological well-being

·       Provide structured and unstructured activities for children and young people under the direction of the Health Play Specialist, Nursing teams, CAMHS service, this could be playing a game, leading an art/craft activity.

·       Have an awareness of mental health conditions e.g., anxiety, depression, trauma, self-harm and how they are managed.

·       Contribute to MDT meetings by providing feedback on the child / young person’s presentation and progress.

·       Monitor and document behavioural changes, mood, and engagement levels.

·       Encourage participation in education, hobbies, and social activities to promote holistic recovery.

·       Ensure that safe practice is maintained by having an awareness of Trust Policies and Procedures regarding aspects of Prevention and Management of Violence and Aggression, Children’s Safeguarding, Management of Rapid Tranquilisation, Management of Restraint

·       Work collaboratively with parents, carers, and guardians to support the child / young person’s care and recovery.

·       Escalate to the Nurse in Charge, Clinical Nurse Specialist. Medical and CAMHS teams any safeguarding concerns and document clearly the concern in the patients’ records.

·       Ensure incidents are reported on the Trust DATIX system.

·       Maintain accurate, timely records on the Trust electronic record system, this may include hourly observations of mood / behaviour.

·       Participate in safeguarding supervision if required.

·       Promote equality, diversity, inclusion, and anti-discriminatory practice in all aspects of care.

·       Escort children / young people to access facilities / open air outside the clinical area following a risk assessment, this may be with parents / carers / security and will be on site.

·       Providing a calm and reassuring presence, offering support and comfort to young people and their families during a potentially distressing time.

·       Use sensory boxes appropriately in engaging with children and young people.

·       Support children, young people, and their families to have individual care by completing hospital / Playwise passports for staff to use when caring for them.

·       Recognise and respond to escalating situations, using de-escalation techniques to maintain a safe environment for the young person and others.

·       To ensure full compliance with all Information Governance requirements as set out by the Trust.

·       Be able to undertake clinical observations e.g., temperature, pulse, respiratory rate and maintain a food / fluid balance chart for any child /. young person requiring one e.g., eating disorder.

·       Support a child / young person to adhere to dietary plan and supervise mealtimes when assessed as requiring this.

·       Respond to clinical emergencies as required.

See attached JD for Additional Duties & Information.