Children's Assessor

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

1. Key Responsibilities

• To have a working knowledge of the National Framework for Children and Young People's Continuing Care and maintain relevant and up to date knowledge and skills.
• To ensure every assessment performed is completed holistically on an individual basis within a multi-agency arena. This includes managing referrals, assessments and the process thereafter for children and young people who have a physical disability, mental health, learning disability or end of life needs, in the community (at home/residential/hospice), acute setting (hospital) or other setting.
• To manage and take responsibility of Continuing Care Assessments, making individual recommendations as an outcome of assessment within guidance of the Children’s National Framework and local policy.
• To undertake joint assessments in conjunction with family/carers and with other professionals from health and social care and other agencies, to ensure the health needs of patients are identified and appropriately met within the remit of the National Framework guidance and local policies/processes.
• To work within agreed systems and processes to secure best value for money packages, recognising current financial situation of the ICB, meeting clinical needs, working within the current service commissioning process.
• To promote physical and mental well-being and maximise child/young person family/carer empowerment in the management of their care. Where necessary ensure individuals have access to an advocate
• To ensure the voice of the child and young person is listened to and heard. Work in partnership with parents and carers to understand what life is like for them in caring for a child with complex health needs, and to capture within assessment.
• To act as an information resource for Lancashire & South Cumbria ICB in relation to Continuing Care NHS, providing appropriate advice to the public, professionals, and others as appropriate
• Deliver and support the development of Continuing Care training sessions for multi-agency partners.
• To act in accordance with the legal requirements and statutory rules related to practice and registration, NMC Code of Conduct and ICB Policies and Procedures including Financial Procedures, Health & Safety Policies and Safe Systems of Work
• To attend all mandatory and statutory training/updates
• To ensure clinical, financial, and other relevant governance is applied accordingly across the process and practices of Continuing Care, including relevant commissioning activities.
• Encourage the development and participation in clinical audit, research evidenced based practice and reflective practice and learning.
• Work flexibly with colleagues to ensure seamless provision and that gaps identified are addressed, including peer supervision of other team members when needed.
• To hold a caseload as required and actively case manage in a timely, co-ordinated manner, alongside the relevant NHS professionals, multi-agencies, and other involved parties.
• To facilitate and support the timely transition process for young people to the appropriate adult services; inclusive of close liaison with adult Continuing Healthcare team, and relevant external agencies/professionals/advocates etc.
• Identify children and young people who are at risk and act upon/ manage any issues related to the findings. Ensure any/all safeguarding escalation activity managed in accordance with local and national policy and is recorded, maintained, and monitored. Work in partnership with parents/family alongside multi-agency partners
• To participate in the ICB appeals process and Continuing Care Panels
• To maintain relevant and up to date knowledge and skills pertaining to the management and function of Continuing Care
• To promote physical and mental well-being and maximise client and carer empowerment in the management of their care. Where necessary ensure individuals have access to an advocate