Detailed job description and main responsibilities

1. To support the development of an effective team alongside the LAC team and productive working relationships throughout the Trust and with the local authority social care teams including the Corporate Parenting meetings.
2. To actively promote integrated health and social care working both internally and externally, to support the management of children in care within Barking and Dagenham.
3. To advise and encourage the sharing of clinical knowledge across Children’s service and with the local authority teams.
4. To participate in and undertake staff appraisals and supervisions as appropriate.
5. To deputise for the pathway leads as and when required.
6. To supervise students on placements within the service as required. Ensuring the students receive appropriate supervision, support and experience of health across children’s services and how this can relate to children in care.
7. Attend the LAC/CAMHS meeting fortnightly to ensure effective communication and collaboration for the benefit of meeting the needs of children in care.
8. To lead on the education and awareness raising of development in LAC mental health alongside the wider LAC team so that staff are appraised of recent research, good practice and key developments.

Clinical Skills

1. To act as an autonomous, registered practitioner who is legally and professionally accountable for own supervised and unsupervised actions guided by the professional code of conduct and Trust guidelines and protocols.
2. Further professional knowledge gained through accredited courses workshops, study and in house training programmes.
3. To ensure the highest standard of care to children in care and their families/carers.
4. To initiate referrals to other health professional specialist services and agencies and monitor and track progress. Seeking additional support from the medical team where appropriate and for the benefit of the child.  Being aware of the priorities for children in care and their referrals.
5. To provide children in care and their wider support network with information and education thus ensuring they have meaningful choices that promote dignity, independence, and quality of life.
6. To ensure practice is evidence based supported by research and bench marked with national guidance, alongside literature and peer review.
7. To provide clinical and professional support and direction to junior members of the team regarding the treatment and management of children in care.
8. To demonstrate legal literacy, knowledge and skills in supporting children and young people to make decisions and supporting team members to understand the implications of the MCA 2005 assessment for children and young people to avoid delay in needs escalating.
9. To maintain and demonstrate expert clinical assessment practice and knowledge of the treatment and management of children in care referred to CAMHS.
10. To actively pursue care practices that will reduce the likelihood of admission to hospital for children and young people whose health care needs might be more appropriately met in the community.
11. To work in partnership and promote collaborative working with other health care professionals, partner agencies, including the independent and voluntary sectors as appropriate. Ensuring appropriate and effective liaison and communication
12. To deliver and participate in child protection and clinical supervision in accordance with Trust policy.
13. Will promote the understanding and nature of risks and harm to vulnerable children/LAC may change as they go through adolescence and into adulthood including exposure to risks outside the home eg: sexual exploitation, drug trafficking and violence within the community.
14. Able to promote trauma informed culture understanding the lived experience of Looked After children and young people and its impact on engagement with services and nonattendance, supporting colleagues to improve non engagement to improve service.