About this role
Job summary
This is a permanent, full-time position working 37.5 hours per week, worked between Monday and Friday, with some flexibility required for meetings, training and promotional activity. This role is based across Somerset, with flexibility to work from multiple community sites subject to service needs. Applicants must hold a full UK driving licence and have access to a vehicle for work. You will be entitled to 30 days annual leave (additional to bank holidays). As a Clinical Practice Educator with a focus on SEND, you'll benefit from ongoing professional development, including access to further training, mentorship programmes, and opportunities to advance within the service. This role plays a significant part in supporting staff development and improving clinical practice in relation to SEND across Somerset. Regretfully, we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role. We are only able to proceed with candidates who already have the right to work in the UK without the need for visa sponsorship.
Main duties of the job
We are looking for a creative, credible and enthusiastic Clinical Practice Educator to join Somerset Public Health Nursing on a full-time AfC Band 7 permanent basis.
This is an exciting opportunity to lead and shape practice learning, workforce development and student support across our Public Health Nursing service. You will play a key role in supporting Specialist Community Public Health Nursing students, newly qualified staff and practice assessors to deliver high-quality, evidence-based care aligned to professional standards.
As a Practice Educator, you will lead the development, delivery and evaluation of clinical education programmes, support student placements and preceptorship, and help strengthen consistency of practice across Somerset. You will work closely with teams, managers, universities and system partners to create high-quality learning environments, identify concerns early, and promote a one-service approach to professional standards, safeguarding and workforce development.
You will be an excellent communicator with strong clinical credibility, the ability to influence practice, and experience of supporting learners and colleagues in community public health settings. You will bring a sound knowledge of safeguarding, child development, public health nursing practice and partnership working, alongside the ability to mentor, supervise, challenge constructively and contribute to service improvement.
About us
We offer the opportunity to work in a supportive and ambitious service committed to improving outcomes for children, young people and families across Somerset. We offer flexible working arrangements where possible, strong safeguarding, clinical and restorative supervision, continuing professional development opportunities, generous annual leave, pension benefits and a wide range of employee wellbeing and discount schemes.
If you submit an application for this role via NHS Jobs, we will upload your details to our applicant tracking system. Please see our privacy statement in the link.
Job description Job responsibilities
The role is responsible for delivering specialist clinical expertise, education, supervision, and leadership with a focus on SEND for children and young people aged 019. The post holder acts as a lead professional, providing guidance, training, and consultation to colleagues, partner agencies, and families, with a strong focus on early intervention and integrated care. The role involves developing and evaluating training, supporting staff competence, ensuring high quality standards, and facilitating effective multi-agency partnerships to improve outcomes for children with SEND.
This is a countywide post that will support the whole 0-19 service. Support and co-ordinate the learning experience for Specialist Community Public Health Nursing (SCPHN) students undertaking the qualification and period of study. Support the implementation of action plans and new practice following safeguarding reviews and incidents as required. Support the Team Managers at locality level with implementing new practice to the workforce and support staff with performance management action plans. Attend, contribute and lead on work streams as part of the Public Health Nursing Management Meetings and Public Health Nursing Best Practice group. Lead and co-ordinate the Practice Assessors to support SCPHN students to enable delivery of skilled and effective care to promote positive health outcomes and respond to identified individual client and public health needs. Embed the Public Health Nursing Service Competency Framework to enable staff to demonstrate an appropriate use of skills and resources and to support the delivery of a high-quality standard of practice and continual personal development. Manage an identified group of practitioners, who support the practice assessors as part of the student process. Supervise students in practice and address any performance issues as directed by the university course provider.
Recruit and support students/practice assessors to maintain competency as required by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). Act as a clinical educator for students and learners and provide specialist advice and support to students, tutors, managers and others as required. Co-ordinate the recruitment and selection of SCPHN students and other staff members within the organisation as required. Provide an effective learning process and environment which will enhance the learners educational, professional and personnel development. Assess the learners competencies within the workplace through observation and supervision, provide verbal and written feedback within the agreed formats and action any issues/concerns identified. Attend required updates provided through the affiliated educational providers and support the development of the relevant curriculums. Contribute to new staff induction and orientation programmes. Cascade any new knowledge and changes in national/local policies/guidance to the Public Health Nursing workforce as directed by the management and leadership team. Participate in the Public Health Nursing best practice group, e.g. initiate new practice, write, implement, and evaluate clinical practice policies in partnership with clinical leads, peers and educational institutions. Contribute to clinical audits in the Public Health Nursing Service and ensure the service meets clinical governance requirements. Organise education, training and development for the Public Health Nursing teams. Act as a role model in the delivery of clinical skills, ensuring risk management, Health and Safety issues, and policies and procedures are adhered to across the Service. Contribute to the develop of the Public Health Nursing Service training needs analysis and future training needs of the workforce.
Person Specification
Knowledge and Skills Essential
In-depth understanding of public health nursing principles, child development, safeguarding, and the SEND Code of Practice. Substantial post-qualification experience in a community public health nursing role. Demonstrable track record of supporting children and young people with SEND and their families. Experience of multi-agency working, including effective partnership with education, social care, and voluntary sector organisations. Proven ability to deliver teaching, training, or mentoring to colleagues and partner agencies. Excellent communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills, with the ability to adapt to diverse audiences. Skilled in service evaluation, audit, and the application of evidence-based practice. Ability to influence, motivate, and support others to drive service improvement and promote best practice. Commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion in service delivery.
Desirable
Experience in leading quality improvement projects or service development initiatives. Publication or presentation of professional work relating to public health nursing or SEND.
Qualifications Essential
Practice Assessor qualification or equivalent Registered Nurse (NMC) with a recognised Specialist Community Public Health Nurse qualification (Health Visitor, School Nurse). Evidence of continued professional development relevant to public health nursing and SEND. Current full UK driving licence and access to own transport for community visits.
Desirable
Postgraduate qualification in a relevant field (e.g., safeguarding, SEND, leadership in healthcare). Membership of relevant professional networks or forums.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details Employer name Somerset County Council
Address County Hall
Taunton
Somerset
TA1 4DY
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.somerset.gov.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)