Job summary

The Children in Care and Youth Justice service is jointly commissioned by North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board and Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board. The service operates a countywide model, delivering both commissioned and statutory health functions for Children in Care (CinC) and young people known to Youth Justice Services. The service works in accordance with Promoting the Health and Well-being of Looked After Children (2015 (22)), the Children Act (1989/2004), Working Together to Safeguard Children (2023), and all associated statutory guidance. The team plays a critical role in safeguarding, promoting health equity, and improving long-term outcomes for vulnerable children and young people.

Main duties of the job

The role of the team leader is to provide visible operational leadership, ensuring high-quality, trauma-informed and legally compliant practice that supports positive long-term health outcomes. The role ensures the team, alongside the Named Nurse, meets all statutory and commissioned responsibilities, while developing strong professional standards and effective multi-agency collaboration to improve outcomes for children and young people open to the service.

About us

At [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal], we have an ambition to deliver outstanding healthcare services to the population of North Cumbria. The Trust is committed to creating a centre of excellence in providing rural and remote healthcare and provides a wide range of community and acute services throughout our county. Our 5 key principles: being a clinically led organisation; quality and safety at the heart of our Trust; a positive patient experience every time; a great place to work; managing our money well. We are serious about supporting a diverse workforce and being an inclusive and compassionate place to work. All staff are expected to support sustainability.

Qualifications

Essential

• Level 1 Registered Nurse
• BSc (Hons) Specialist Community Public Health Nurse (SCPHN) - School Nursing or Health visiting to degree level or equivalent
• Leadership/ Management qualification or equivalent experience
• Evidence of Continuous Professional Development

Desirable

• Dual qualification in School Nursing & Health Visiting
• Teaching and Assessing qualification

Knowledge & Experience

Essential

• In depth understanding of the health needs of Children in Care, Care Leavers and young people open to youth justice services, including trauma, attachment disruption, ACEs.
• Ability to meet Level 3 core competences as outlined in the Intercollegiate document (2025) safeguarding children and young people in care.
• Previous substantial clinical and/or leadership experience working with children in care and/or safeguarding procedures.
• Knowledge of The Childrens Act (1989/2004), Working Together to Safeguard Children (2023) and statutory guidance.
• Demonstrable knowledge of Governance and NICE, Coram BAAF, NHSE guidelines.
• Evidence of improving and developing service and practice.
• Experience in change management.

Desirable

• Experience in audit and research.
• Experience of involving service users and carers.
• Awareness of CQC, Ofsted and HMIP evaluation.

Skills and Aptitudes

Essential

• Ability to lead, motivate and develop a team.
• Skilled in managing complex and sensitive situations.
• High level of IT proficiency.
• Strong organisational and prioritisation skills.
• Ability to analyse information and contribute to care planning.
• Commitment to continuous improvement.
• Ability to work autonomously and within multi-agency systems.
• Promote equality and value diversity.

Other Requirements

• Commitment to ongoing personal development.
• Ability to handle confidential information.
• Ability to travel independently throughout Cumbria and work flexibly.

Sponsorship and Additional Information

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.

Disclosure and Barring Service: This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act and a DBS check will be required. Cost to be met by successful candidate via salary deduction.

Benefits include: 27-day holiday scheme (rising to 33 after 10 years), flexible working, NHS discounts, salary sacrifice schemes, competitive NHS Pension, and Vivup counselling service.

UK Registration: Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information see NHS Careers website.

Employer Details

Employer: [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal]

Address: Carlisle, Penrith or Workington TBC, Carlisle CA1 2DP

Website: https://www.ncic.nhs.uk/

Contact: Named Nurse for Children in Care, Suzanne Beaty - [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal] - [contact hidden]