Lead Nurse for Learning Disability and Autism

Job summary We are seeking a dynamic, highly motivated registered nurse with extensive experience of working in learning disabilities services and providing leadership to clinical teams. The role is based within the Trust’s Adult Neurodevelopmental Disorder (NDD) service structure and will work alongside experienced clinicians in learning disability and autism while providing visible clinical leadership and expertise across the organisation. Main duties To spend 0.5 WTE on support and effective practical leadership to community Learning Disability and Adult Autism service areas. Working alongside the Neurodevelopment Disorder (NDD) Clinical Manager to promote a culture of high performance and clinical excellence. To spend 0.5 WTE on clinical leadership in relation to improving access to health care for people with learning disabilities and autism across the organisation. The Lead Nurse will work closely with a range of stakeholders to ensure that high quality, accessible health care services are delivered. To provide learning disability awareness education and training, identifying services where training is required. To work with clinical teams across the organisation to promote awareness of the reasonable adjustments for individuals with learning disability and autism. To provide responsive and expert guidance to clinical teams and the senior leadership team, maintaining a highly visible presence across the organisation. Agile and flexible working As one of the few mental health Trusts in London we are proud to offer flexible working as part of our new ways of working, and we are happy to discuss flexible working at the interview stage. In this role you will be able to work Monday to Friday. About us We are Proud to Belong at South West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust. We have expert services, a rich history and a clear commitment to providing the best quality care for those with mental ill-health. The Care Quality Commission already rates our services as ‘good’ – we aspire to be ‘outstanding’. We are transforming the way we care for our communities to support our mission of Making Life Better Together. We have built two brand new mental health facilities at Springfield University Hospital, which are amongst the best in the world. More developments are planned across our sites and services as we invest a further £120m to upgrade and modernise our estate by 2027. We are inclusive and diverse and strive to be actively anti‑racist. We want to attract people from all backgrounds and experiences to enrich the work we do together. We are proud to co‑produce and involve our local communities in all that we do. We offer flexible working, career development and a variety of benefits to enable a positive, welcoming environment in which our people and their careers can thrive. Job responsibilities Practice quality & workforce development The post holder will be an effective role model for clinical excellence across their assigned clinical pathway and organisation. They will demonstrate visible leadership and take responsibility for ensuring care is delivered in line with best practice. They will promote multidisciplinary team working and engagement in care pathway delivery in line with fundamental standards. They will ensure the safety and effectiveness of services through the implementation of effective risk management, governance and assurance systems. They will develop practice improvement initiatives including training and supervision programmes for staff. They will take responsibility for key practice development projects across the service line as assigned by the Head of Nursing and Quality. They will ensure that robust systems and processes are in place to facilitate clinical audit and the implementation of best practice guidelines across the service line and organisation. Service Delivery Support Team Leaders and the Clinical Manager to maintain the efficient and safe transition of clients through care pathways. Develop reporting systems and monitor dashboards to ensure that Trust and Service Line standards are being achieved. Support in achieving Trust and Service Line initiatives such as CQUINs and CQC actions. Ensure that governance and assurance systems are in place for care pathways and clinical teams. Provide expert professional advice with regard to clinical care, incidents and complaints to services across the organisation. Contribute to effective incident management procedures and promote a Just Culture. Ensure that lessons are learned and actions taken to improve services are embedded, with a particular focus on quality improvements. Take a leading role in quality improvement initiatives and train and develop staff to ensure their knowledge and skills are updated in this area. Communication & Working Relationships Ensure that clear lines of communication and positive working relationships across professional and organisational boundaries are established and embedded across services. Work collaboratively with the Governance Department, Safeguarding Leads, Acute Care Coordination Centre, Community teams, Home Treatment Teams, Housing agencies, Social Services ensuring that all people with learning disabilities and autistic people who use our services are moved appropriately through the care pathway. Coordinate and investigate complaints and clinical practice performance issues and ensure that lessons learned are identified, disseminated and embedded in practice. Clinical responsibilities Promote, develop and role model high standards of clinical care, ensuring that all clinicians across the organisation can clearly articulate patients care pathways and what this means in practice. Provide clinical leadership and support clinicians to develop and implement care plans, ensuring active involvement of service users and their carers. Ensure a holistic approach to assessment, care and treatment, including physical health needs. Support the Clinical Manager and Team Leaders/Ward Managers to embed Clinical Governance Standards within their teams. Provide consultation to relevant services regarding high clinical risk situations informing risk management plans. Ensure that appropriate action is taken to safeguard adults and children, providing and receiving highly complex and sensitive information in relation to safeguarding. Qualifications and Experience Training & Qualifications – Essential A Registered Nurse with an established clinical nursing background who has successfully completed a period of academic education and clinical supervision to be competent against the RCNs competency requirements for an Advanced Nurse Practitioner. Evidence of significant post‑registration education and development at degree level or equivalent. Training & Qualifications – Desirable Significant management and or leadership training. Experience – Essential In‑depth current post‑registration nursing experience within Learning Disabilities and Autism services. Extensive knowledge and expertise across a number of areas such as positive behaviour support and safeguarding. Significant professional leadership, especially in professional development, clinical governance, supervision and appraisal. Experience Desirable Additional leadership experience within multidisciplinary teams in a learning disabilities context. Knowledge & Skills – Essential Evidence of understanding and developing nursing policy and practice, education and research within the context of a multi‑disciplinary setting. Evidence of contribution to practice and service development and the ability to translate strategic intent into operational reality. Evidence of being able to communicate with and engage front line clinical staff and clinical leaders. Knowledge & Skills – Desirable A demonstrable knowledge of evidence‑based nursing practice in the specialist area. Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and therefore a Disclosure and Barring Service check will be required. #J-18808-Ljbffr