Autistic Spectrum Condition/Learning Disabilities Trainee Practitioner

Location:London Borough of Croydon Contract Type:Fixed Term from 14.01.26 until 19.12.26. Full-Time 35 hours per week Salary:£36,055 Annual Leave:25 days paid leave plus Bank Holidays Croydon Drop In (CDI) are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of infants, children, young people and vulnerable adults. Successful applicants are required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure via the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). CDI works towards Equality of Opportunity. To maintain the diversity of our team we welcome applications from all sections of the community particularly individuals from Global Majority Heritage. About Croydon Drop In Croydon Drop In (CDI) has been serving children and young people in the London Borough of Croydon since 1978. We are deeply embedded in and trusted by local communities. Each year, we work with over 5,000 children, young people and families, providing life-changing support, advice and guidance. We are a proud member of Youth Access and operate a Youth Information, Advice and Counselling Service (YIACS), partnering closely with the NHS, Local Authority, Education Providers, the Police and other Voluntary and Community Sectors organisations. Since 2019, CDI has grown rapidly, with the largest growth being the expansion of our therapeutic services and outreach support. Our income has grown to £1.9m and our focus is now on consolidating our position and ensuring our infrastructure, processes and governance are robust to support our continued growth and long-term sustainability. What do we offer? Generous Annual Leave entitlement Employee Assistance Programme cover via Healthshield Annual organisation team day out CPD training days Employer Pension Scheme Regular supervision CYP-PT The Children and Young People's Psychological Trainings programme (CYP-PT, formerly CYP-MH) is a service transformation programme delivered by NHS England that aims to improve existing children and young people's mental health Services working in the community. Job Purpose This is a training role within the Children and Young People's Psychological Trainings programme (CYP-PT). The post-holder will work within our A for Autism Service that is focussed on outreach to the community alongside provision in Schools and Colleges and Parent/Carer support. Trainees will be delivering, under supervision, high-quality; brief outcome focused evidence-based interventions and guided self-help for Autistic children and young people and children and young people with Learning Disabilities. The training and service experience will equip the post holder with the necessary knowledge, attitude and capabilities to operate effectively in an inclusive, value driven service. The post holder will attend all university based teaching and Onsite Protected Learning Time required by the education provider, as specified within the agreed national curriculum and work in the service for the remaining days of the week using their newly developed skills. Main Duties and Responsibilities of the role: Deliver evidence-based interventions to children, young people, and families affected by neurodiversity, autism spectrum conditions, and/or learning disabilities, in line with CYP-IAPT principles and service protocols. Undertake comprehensive assessments of clients needs, formulate care plans, and involve families and carers as appropriate, ensuring sensitive and accessible communication. Fulfil the requirements of and complete the qualification at UCL/Anna Freud including practical, academic, and practice-based assessments, alongside private study Balance clinical practice with academic study, attending all required training sessions and applying new learning to service delivery. Support and empower children, young people and families to make informed choices about the intervention. Assess and integrate issues relating to transitions, education and training/employment into the overall therapeutic process. At all times to ensure children, young people and families are made aware of key protocols such as the limits of confidentiality, complaints procedure, information sharing protocol and to ensure any special needs or requests for specific support are acknowledged and acted upon Work closely with other members of the team ensuring appropriate step-up and step-down arrangements are in place to maintain a stepped care approach Maintain accurate and confidential records of all clinical activity, ensuring compliance with data protection, safeguarding, and organisational policies. Complete all requirements relating to data collection/monitoring within the service and keep coherent records of all activity in line with service protocols and use these records and outcome data in decision making. Participate in regular clinical supervision and reflective practice, using feedback to develop skills and ensure safe, high-quality care. Work collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams, contributing to stepped care approaches and effective case management. Promote equality, diversity, and inclusion in all aspects of service delivery, upholding anti-discriminatory and culturally competent practice. Engage in ongoing professional development, identifying learning needs and participating in training, supervision, line management one to ones, probation review processes and annual appraisal Support service development by contributing to best practice initiatives, quality improvement, and the implementation of new approaches. Adhere to all organisational policies and procedures, including safeguarding, health and safety, and environmental responsibility. Ensure the maintenance of standards of practice according to the employer and any regulating, professional and accrediting bodies (e.g., BPS, HCPC, BABCP), and keep up to date on new recommendations/guidelines/frameworks/codes of ethics and practice To maintain up-to-date knowledge of legislation, national and local policies and procedures in relation to children and young people and SEND Other Duties To act at all times in accordance within CDI policies and procedures and to particularly abide by our policies and procedures on Safeguarding, Equality, Diversity & Inclusion, Data Protection/GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) and Health & Safety To work collaboratively with our public, voluntary and private sector partners and stakeholders and to encourage healthy joint-working practice when appropriate To attend line management and staff meetings, reflective supervision, Learning & Development/Training days and an annual appraisal with the line manager. To keep accurate records in accordance with the monitoring & evaluation demands of CYP-IAPT/CDI and to liaise closely with the administrators To identify own Continuing Professional and Personal Development needs with line manager and Clinical Supervisor General This is not an exhaustive list of duties and responsibilities and the post holdermay be required to undertake other duties which fall within the remit of the role indiscussion with the service manager This job profile will be reviewed regularly in the light of changing servicerequirements and any such changes will be discussed with the post holder The post holder is responsible for ensuring that the work that they undertake isconducted in a manner which is safe to themselves and others, and for adhering to theadvice and instructions on Health and Safety matters given by Manager(s). If postholder considers that a risk to Health and Safety exists, it is their responsibility toreport this to their manager The post holder is expected to comply with the appropriate Code(s) of Conductassociated with this post It is the responsibility of all staff to minimise CDIs environmental impact byrecycling wherever possible, switching off lights, computer monitors and equipment whennot in use, minimising water wastage and reporting faults promptly We operate a no smoking policy on our sites and in any educational settings where the post holder may be working Personal Specification Qualification Undergraduate degree, upper second class or above, in Psychology OR related subject (e.g., Psychology, Education, Childhood development, Social Work etc), OR any subject with further training or experience in a relevant field (e.g., Teaching/TA; Learning Support; HCA; Youth Work; Counselling etc) OR relevant professional experience in direct work with Autistic children and young people and children and young people with Learning Disabilities, CYP Mental Health/Education/Mentorship (to be considered on a case-by-case basis) Experience Previous experience of working with Autistic children and young people and children and young people with Learning Disabilities Skills & Competencies and Policy Essentials Knowledge of children and young people gained through academic study in child development, child wellbeing or mental health A strong working knowledge of SEND Ability to learn in a variety of settings and using a variety of learning methods, including remote delivery of teaching Computer literate Ability to study as a self-motivated learner who can formulate their own progress towards learning objectives and negotiate pathways to achievement with supervisory teams Full, enhanced and current satisfactory DBS disclosure for the role Ability to personally manage a sensitive, traumatic and potentially emotionally distressing caseload Excellent oral and written communication skills Flexibility to travel to meet the requirements of the post Team player Good time management and organisational skills Able to meet the physical requirements of the role after reasonable adjustments have been made for any illness or disability This job description is an outline of the key tasks and responsibilities of the post and the post holder may be required to undertake additional duties appropriate to the pay band. The post may change over time to reflect the developing needs of the Trust and its services, as well as the personal development of the post holder.TPBN1_UKTJ