Highly Specialist LD/Autism Practitioner

Highly Specialist LD/Autism Practitioner Join to apply for the Highly Specialist LD/Autism Practitioner role at NHS 3 days ago Be among the first 25 applicants Job Summary This role is part of exciting new developments across North Central London aimed at enhancing the existing mental health crisis services for young people with autism and/or LD and their families, with the aim of avoiding unnecessary admissions to mental health inpatient units and reducing the length of hospital stays. As part of this, a Specialist LD/A Practitioner is being recruited for each of the 5 NCL boroughs – Camden, Islington, Barnet, Enfield and Haringey. This post will be based in Islington within the Islington CAMHS Adolescent Assessment + Outreach Team, who work with CYP with acute, complex and chronic mental health difficulties. The post holder will also interface with local sector inpatient units, acute paediatric wards and Emergency Departments, Home Treatment Teams, LD/ASD Keyworker services and CAMHS neurodevelopmental pathways. All with the aim of enhancing the local community support offer, improving complex discharge planning, and reducing the length of inpatient stays for CYP with a diagnosis of autism and/or LD. Main Duties of the Job Case holding, offering direct clinical interventions to a small caseload of young people diagnosed with autism and/or a learning disability; providing specialist, adjusted support and interventions, which may include Positive Behaviour Support (PBS)-based interventions. Offer advocacy and support for CYP and families in navigating local systems and processes, e.g., CETRs, and accessing autism-informed social prescribing and other appropriate local resources and services. Provide indirect work such as consultation to residential units, upskilling other CAMHS clinicians in PBS and adjusting treatments for CYP with neurodiversity, and training networks around management of behaviours that challenge. Act as a registered and highly specialist Learning Disability Nurse (RNLD), Mental Health Nurse (RMN), Clinical/Counselling Psychologist, Occupational Therapist (OT), Speech and Language Therapist, or Clinical Social Worker (SW) with extensive post‑qualification clinical and therapeutic skills. Provide comprehensive, specialist mental health assessments, including risk assessments, of young people with a diagnosis of autism and/or learning disability who are at risk of escalating into mental health crisis and/or inpatient admission. Hold a caseload of CYP with complex, high‑risk mental health needs and act as case manager, providing specialist, adjusted interventions such as PBS-based interventions and family work. Collaborate with other AAOT clinicians, supporting their work with CYP and families where there is a diagnosis of autism and/or LD. Work as part of the AAOT MDT to consider the clinical needs of CYP who may be on the local DSR, or who may present in crisis and require a psychiatric inpatient admission. Provide specialist consultation to other CAMHS clinicians, Paediatric Mental Health Teams, inpatient units, Home Treatment Teams, Keyworker Services, etc., to support intensive crisis responses, aid complex discharge processes, and reduce admissions and length of inpatient stays. Attend and contribute to the local Dynamic Support Register (DSR) and Islington Multiagency Planning and Support (IMAPS) panel. Ensure client needs are paramount and adhere to Islington Safeguarding Children Board (ISCB) Guidelines. Provide reports and communicate assessment, formulation, treatment plans and client needs in a skilled and sensitive manner. Co‑ordinate with health, social care and education staff across agencies in the care of clients. Carry out clinical work in health, education settings and clients’ homes to best meet client needs and service practice. Provide training on neurodevelopmental conditions and LD, including management of behaviours that challenge, to key agencies and professionals. Consult with staff in residential units and upskill other CAMHS crisis team clinicians in PBS. Develop group and teaching opportunities for parents/carers on psychoeducation and strategies to manage challenging behaviours. Act as clinical supervisor to AAOT or other CAMHS clinicians, assistants, students and/or trainees as appropriate. Attend regular clinical and line management supervision and participate in appraisals in line with CAMHS and Trust policies. Maintain the highest personal standards of practice through active participation in CPD training and development programmes. Work with NCL ICB project leads to monitor and report on the project against NCL agreed metrics. Advise clinicians and staff across the Trust and partner agencies on neurodevelopmental disorders, non‑medical prescribing and behaviour management, helping to develop standards underpinned by theory and research. Participate in the development of system‑wide policies and guidelines as a Senior CAMHS Clinician, translating policies into partnership working across the Trust and partner services. Contribute to the development, evaluation, implementation and monitoring of operational policies of Community CAMHS and AAOT services for CYP with autism and/or LD. Participate in research, disseminate findings and implement them in practice. Up‑date knowledge of legislation, national and local policies relevant to CYP with autism and/or LD. Utilise theory, evidence‑based literature and research to support evidence‑based practice. Lead audit and research projects and coordinate them within the team and/or service. About Us Whittington Health serves a richly diverse population and works hard to ensure that all our services are fair and equally accessible to everyone. We aim to employ a workforce which is as representative as possible of this population, valuing differences in age, disability, gender, marital status, pregnancy and maternity, race, sexual orientation, and religion or belief. The Trust believes that as a public sector organisation we have an obligation to have recruitment, training, promotion and other formal employment policies and procedures that are sensitive to these differences. Details Date posted: 05 December 2025 Pay scheme: Agenda for change Band: Band 8a Salary: £64,156 to £71,148 a year per annum (pro rata) inclusive of HCAs Contract: Fixed term Duration: 12 months Working pattern: Part‑time Reference number: 220-WHT-3371-B Job locations: Northern Health Centre, London, N7 6LB Person Specification Essential Education / Qualifications Postgraduate qualification in a behavioural treatment modality Doctorate in Clinical / Counselling Psychology, Registered Nurse Mental Health or Registered Nurse Learning Disabilities or Registered Children’s Nurse, or equivalent; or Part 3/8/13 or 15 NMC register / Qualified Clinical Social Worker, Occupational therapist or Speech and Language Therapist ENB 998 or equivalent. Desirable Education / Qualifications Relevant masters or postgraduate qualification in child and adolescent mental health Postgraduate qualification in a behavioural treatment modality e.g., PBS training, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), ADOS training, Non‑medical prescribing qualification, Formal training in clinical supervision. Essential Skills & Abilities Evidence of well‑developed clinical skills and knowledge in CAMHS Evidence of flexible working practices and excellent interpersonal and communication skills Clinical supervision skills Essential Knowledge & Experience Sound working knowledge of evidence base in CAMHS Knowledge of developments in children and young people’s services inter‑agency partnerships Specialist knowledge and training in neurodevelopmental conditions and learning disabilities, their assessment and management. Desirable Knowledge & Experience Trained in Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) and/or Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) Ability to undertake routine psychometric assessments of cognitive abilities and ADOS assessments for autism. Knowledge of medicines, medication management and non‑medical prescribing in CAMHS. Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and, as such, a submission for Disclosure to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) will be required to check for any previous criminal convictions. Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website. Employer Details Employer name: Whittington Hospital NHS Trust Address: Northern Health Centre, London, N7 6LB Website: https://www.whittington.nhs.uk/ #J-18808-Ljbffr