Safeguarding Practitioner - Paediatric Gender Service

Overview

Cambridge University Hospital Foundation Trust (CUH) is seeking a highly skilled and compassionate individual to join the new NHS Children and Young People s Gender Service (East of England) in the role of Safeguarding Practitioner. Based within the Paediatrics Department at CUH, the successful applicant will have extensive experience of delivering high quality, evidence-based assessments and care to children and young people.

The post holder will provide assessments, supervision and consultation to staff and be a source of neuropsychological and neurodevelopmental expertise to the MDT. The Cass Review into gender services for children and young people has recommended that staff should maintain a broad clinical perspective by working across related NHS services in order to embed the care of children and young people with gender-related distress within a broader child and adolescent health context.

In order to facilitate this, we encourage part-time applications from staff already working in other NHS or related services. We can also work with successful candidates applying for full-time roles to agree a job plan that includes a mix of gender service activity and activity in another clinical area. The service operates Monday-Friday. Full or part-time (minimum 3 days per week) considered.

To provide specialist safeguarding advice, safeguarding supervision, training and support to clinical and operational staff within the new Children and Young People Gender Service (CYPGS) at CUH and the wider Trust.

Assist other professionals within the service to protect children and young people at risk from harm and abuse. Identify and support children and young people and their families who need additional care; as well as provide appropriate signposting or referrals to relevant organisations or agencies. Contribute to the on-going development of a robust approach, processes and procedures in how the service responds to the need of the children and young people at risk, who are using the service, considering the requirements of national and local safeguarding policy and initiatives.

Assist in developing robust clinical governance and quality assurance systems to monitor and evaluate safeguarding practice across the service. Work collaboratively within the service, across external agencies and with children and young people to form partnerships and working arrangements that promote safeguarding. Initiate and maintain a good working relationship with external safeguarding partnership agencies (to include CSC, Education, Police, Health).

Be part of any safeguarding or related governance required (within or outside the service). To represent the service and the organisation at necessary meetings such as CP conferences, Strategy meetings and wider MDT meetings.

• Provide specialist safeguarding advice, safeguarding supervision, training and support to clinical and operational staff within the CYPGS at CUH and the wider Trust.
• Identify and support children and young people and their families who need additional care, with appropriate signposting or referrals.
• Contribute to development of robust safeguarding processes and procedures in line with national and local policy.
• Develop and monitor clinical governance and quality assurance systems for safeguarding practice across the service.
• Collaborate within the service and with external agencies to promote safeguarding and establish effective partnerships.
• Establish and maintain relationships with external safeguarding partners (e.g., CSC, Education, Police, Health).
• Represent the service at safeguarding-related governance and meetings, including CP conferences and Strategy meetings.

• Experience delivering high quality, evidence-based assessments and care to children and young people, with safeguarding expertise.
• Ability to provide supervision and consultation to staff; act as a source of neuropsychological and neurodevelopmental expertise to the MDT.
• Willingness to work across related NHS services and consider job plans that include activity outside the gender service.
• Strong collaboration skills to work with children, families and multiple external agencies.
• Flexibility regarding part-time or full-time arrangements (minimum 3 days per week for part-time).

CUH offers development opportunities and a broad range of benefits, including on-site leisure facilities, a shopping concourse and day nurseries. Benefits also include Stagecoach bus travel discounts, free Park and Ride between Babraham Road and Trumpington, free routes to Cambridge train station and hospitals, and subsidised on-site parking for eligible staff. On-campus amenities include hot food available 24/7 at a reduced cost, and recently launched staff pod break spaces with a colleague-only cafe, break space and private outside area.

CUH is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.

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