Defence Children Services (DCS) Army Band 5 Nurse

Job Description

About the Role

An exciting opportunity has become available for a dedicated and compassionate Registered Nurse to join the healthcare team at Queen Victoria School (QVS) in Dunblane, Scotland. This position offers the chance to work in a unique boarding school environment, supporting the health and wellbeing of children and young people aged 10–18.

The successful candidate will become the second school nurse, providing medical and wellbeing support to pupils while working closely with teachers, boarding staff, and external healthcare providers. The role operates on a rotational shift schedule, which includes some weekend coverage during term time.

You will be based in the Health and Wellbeing Centre, a dedicated facility on the school campus designed to deliver both medical treatment and emotional wellbeing support for students.

About Queen Victoria School

Queen Victoria School is a fully boarding, co-educational school funded by the Ministry of Defence. The school accommodates approximately 277 pupils, primarily children of military families.

The school operates under Defence Children Services (DCS), a UK-based organisation responsible for supporting the education and welfare of service children worldwide. DCS works under Army Regional Command and aims to:

• Educate children from military families
• Support service families
• Contribute to national defence by strengthening military community support

Key Responsibilities

As a School Nurse, you will play a vital role in safeguarding student health and supporting wellbeing across the campus.

Your duties will include:

Clinical Care

• Deliver first aid and emergency medical treatment when required.
• Assess pupils who feel unwell and determine appropriate care plans.
• Provide healthcare support for students with long-term medical conditions.
• Manage medicines safely and ensure compliance with healthcare regulations.

Student Support

• Provide medical guidance and reassurance to pupils living in the boarding houses.
• Accompany students to external medical appointments when necessary.
• Liaise with parents or guardians about student health concerns.
• Work collaboratively with local GP services and healthcare providers.

Health Promotion

• Encourage positive health and wellbeing among pupils and staff.
• Support vaccination programmes and maintain immunisation schedules.
• Provide health education sessions where appropriate.

Administrative Responsibilities

• Maintain accurate and confidential medical records.
• Develop and review individual healthcare plans.
• Ensure compliance with school policies and national healthcare guidance.

Safeguarding and Safety

• Contribute to safeguarding procedures and child protection policies.
• Maintain compliance with health and safety legislation.
• Participate in safeguarding training and school welfare initiatives.

Essential Qualifications

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Registered General Nurse qualification (RGN or RSCN).
• Current registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council.
• At least three years of post-registration nursing experience.
• Evidence of continuing professional development.

Desirable Qualifications and Experience

The following experience would be beneficial but not essential:

• Experience working in school nursing or general practice.
• Paediatric or hospital nursing experience.
• Experience in boarding school or residential care settings.
• Knowledge of asthma management, wound care, and allergy treatment.
• Training such as Advanced Life Support or Advanced Paediatric Life Support.
• Familiarity with safeguarding frameworks such as Gillick competency and Fraser guidelines.

Skills and Personal Attributes

Successful applicants will demonstrate:

• Strong clinical judgement and the ability to work independently.
• Excellent communication skills suitable for children and young people.
• The ability to collaborate with teachers, boarding staff, healthcare professionals, and safeguarding teams.
• Strong documentation and record-keeping skills.
• A proactive and compassionate approach to supporting young people.
• Employee Benefits

Working at Queen Victoria School provides a supportive and inclusive environment with a range of benefits, including:

• Access to the NHS Pension Scheme
• Professional training and career development opportunities

Free on-site parking

• Access to campus sports facilities and gym
• Employee Assistance Programme for wellbeing support
• Inclusive workplace policies and supportive culture
• Employees may also access discounts and benefits through the MOD civilian staff programme.

Safeguarding Commitment

Defence Children Services is committed to protecting the welfare of children and young people. All employees are expected to share this commitment and adhere to safeguarding policies at all times.

• Applicants will need to hold either:
• An Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, or
• Membership in the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme.

How to Apply

Applications should be submitted through the UK Civil Service Jobs portal before the closing date of 27 March 2026.

Shortlisted candidates may be asked to provide evidence of all qualifications, professional registration, and relevant certifications during the recruitment process.