Child Development Officer

Overview

This role is for a Child Development Advisor within Aneurin Bevan University Health Board. The post focuses on supporting the development and emotional wellbeing of children and young people with developmental delay or disability, together with their families.

The position is based in Abergavenny, Wales, United Kingdom and is part of the wider Child and Family Psychological Therapies service, working closely with the CAN DWR team (Children with Additional Needs, Development, Wellbeing and Relationships). The role also involves collaboration with clinical psychologists, assistant psychologists, a parent carer counsellor and a parent carer peer mentor.

The postholder will support developmental progress through play for children up to the age of three, offer guidance to families and others involved in the child’s care, and contribute to a joined-up, holistic model of support through work with children’s centre colleagues.

Main purpose of the role

The successful candidate will have a strong commitment to children and young people with developmental delay, and a values-led approach that emphasises relationships, skill-building and improving quality of life.

Key duties

• Work directly with children and their parents to encourage developmental progress.
• Partner with colleagues and other professionals to deliver coordinated, holistic care.
• Provide support and practical advice to families and to staff involved in the child’s care.
• Use play-based approaches to help promote development in children aged three years and under.

Organisation information

Aneurin Bevan University Health Board is a multi-award-winning NHS organisation serving a population of 650,000 and employing more than 16,000 staff. It offers integrated acute, primary and community care, and provides a workplace where staff are trusted and valued.

The organisation highlights strong benefits, training and development opportunities, paid mandatory training, in-house programmes, recognised qualifications, career pathways, management development programmes, flexible working, occupational health support and a wellbeing centre initiative. Its Clinical Futures strategy is focused on bringing care closer to home while maintaining high-quality hospital services for the future.

Application support and adjustments

Applications are welcomed from people with protected characteristics, including disabled and neurodiverse candidates, and from members of the Armed Forces Community. Candidates may submit applications in Welsh, and Welsh-language applications will be treated no less favourably than English-language applications.

If you need any reasonable adjustments or support during the recruitment process, you are encouraged to contact the recruiting manager named in the advert. You do not need to disclose personal or medical details; simply explain what assistance would help you take part fully. Alternative formats such as large print or braille can be arranged by contacting the recruiting manager or the recruitment team at 01495 745805 option 3 or abb.vacancyrequests@wales.nhs.uk.

Recruitment notes

If selected for interview, a conditional offer and information pack will be sent by email. Recruitment communication will also be sent to the email address used in the application form, so candidates should check it regularly.

The vacancy may close early without notice, and it may also be withdrawn if filled through the internal redeployment process. Flexible working is supported. The organisation also operates a smoke-free policy across all Health Board sites, covering staff, contractors, patients and visitors.

The salary scale for Band 3 has been updated as part of the NHS Agenda for Change pay award for 2026/2027 and will take effect in August 2026, backdated to 1 April 2026 where applicable.

Contact

For an informal discussion about the role, contact Dr Jennifer McElwee or Dr Loredana Santoro on 01633 436996.

Qualifications and experience

Essential: a good honours degree in child development or another relevant subject, or equivalent experience in child development.

Desirable: a postgraduate Masters qualification in a clinically relevant area such as child development, behaviour or research skills.

Essential experience: previous work as a child development advisor, or substantial prior experience working with children and young people in a health care, education or social care setting.

Desirable experience: previous work in a service supporting children with additional needs.