Job summary
This is more than a nursing role its an opportunity to develop specialist clinical skills build leadership experience and make a real difference to children and young people with complex health needs Every day is different from delivering hands on care and managing medicines to training school staff and leading on clinical decisions

Youll gain experience in epilepsy and seizure management enteral feeding medicines management clinical assessments and respiratory care alongside skills in care planning safeguarding and multidisciplinary teamwork

We cover nine schools across Hampshire Portsmouth Southampton and the Isle of Wight offering a structured rotational induction to help you develop a broad skill set Our blended learning training package leadership training and regular supervision will give you the confidence to delegate make clinical decisions and progress in your career You ll also have opportunities to become a link nurse in a specialist area of interest take on supervisory responsibilities and access tailored CPD funding to support your professional growth

A valid UK nursing registration experience with children and young people learning disabilities and complex health needs as well as a full driving licence are essential

Current role based In Portsmouth area working 22.5 hours per week

This is an opportunity for a current Band 5 nurse to work with the SSN team to develop wider skills and knowledge in a safe and experienced nursing team

Main duties of the job
To meet the needs of patients and their families to achieve improved health outcomes and promote health and wellbeing while demonstrating care compassion competence communication courage and commitment

Care is based on comprehensive assessment, ensures continuity and is patient centred culturally sensitive and evidence-based and which promotes independence
To develop and maintain a culture of service improvement which promotes quality and safety and striving to do better
This is in line with the requirements set out in the NMC code which require all registered nurses to Prioritise people Practice effectively Preserve safety Promote professionalism and trust

About us
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust provides joined-up mental and physical healthcare for around two million people across our communities. With over 13,000 staff working in the community and local hospitals, we deliver care at every stage of life, helping people live their best and healthiest lives.

Our mental health services include community-based support and early intervention in psychosis (EIP) for both adults and young people, alongside a network of specialist inpatient wards covering forensic, learning disability, eating disorder and older person's care.

We deliver extensive physical health services too, from urgent community response teams helping frail and older patients remain safely at home, to hospitals at home teams providing acute-level care in familiar surroundings. Our neurological services offer rehabilitation and treatment for conditions including Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson's Disease, Motor Neurone Disease, Head Injury, Cerebral Palsy and Stroke. Across Hampshire, our community hospitals provide inpatient rehabilitation as a step down from acute care, and our dedicated teams also staff Treetops Sexual Assault Referral Centre in Portsmouth, offering expert, compassionate support.

Everything we do is underpinned by our CARE values of compassion, accountability, respect and excellence

Job responsibilities

• The Special School Nurse SSN is responsible for the ongoing assessment of care needs and the development implementation and evaluation of programmes of specialised care for children who attend specific special schools
• The SSN will provide and manage specific skilled nursing care to children with a variety of nursing needs including long term conditions and complex and multiple needs life limiting conditions learning disabilities and those with challenging behaviour and or autism related diagnoses
• The care will be provided in the special schools with potential for meetings and learning to be carried out off site in other community settings
• Provide essential training and updates to staff for all delegated tasks and health promotion activities carried out in school including staff competencies
• Support with Education Health Care Plans Annual reviews in school for children with health needs on the caseload
• Ensure school staff are trained and advise on best practice guidance regarding medicines management medicines waste disposal and medicines administration techniques
• Create referrals to other professionals where required which includes continence service CCN service CPMS Respite centres and wider allied health professionals AHPs
• Provide advice support and referrals for children who are aged 14 plus to help with transition planning processes to adult services
• Provide routine monitoring of children on the caseload as necessary including height weight and clinical observations as dictated by the Childs health needs
• Raise any safeguarding concerns in line with trust and national policies and guidelines
• Work collaboratively with our social care education and AHPs to provide holistic care for the children and families on the caseload
• Ensure school staff are aware of infection prevention and control measures and any changes in practice
• Ensures patient confidentiality is always maintained
• Be personally accountable for actions and omissions in your practice and have the ability to justify decisions taken

Qualifications

• BSc Nursing or RN in Child or Learning Disability Nursing and currently registered with NMC
• Practice assessor supervisor

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

Employer contact details
Hiring Manager: Heather Kelly, heather.kelly13@nhs.net, 07742068971

Closing date: 01 November 2026
Reference number: 348-CFS-12855
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Part-time
Pay scheme: Agenda for change, Band 5