Neurodiversity Practitioner

Job summary

Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust is a Top Employer Award Winner and works in partnership to provide responsive and dependable primary care, mental health, intellectual disability and substance misuse services to the diverse and culturally rich communities we serve.

In our quest to deliver patient-focused, quality care we are looking to recruit highly motivated, innovative and enthusiastic Neurodiversity Practitioner to join our forward thinking, friendly and expanding Health & Justice teams at HMP/YOI Bronzefield .

By joining our Prisons Health Care Teams, you will have a real impact on promoting health and well-being of those in custody. This post recognises the level of neurodiversity amongst those in custody, as well as the specialist support that may be required.

Our motto is 'Caring not Judging'. By working in partnership with the criminal justice system and other agencies, we provide effective and responsive care for those who may have a history of offending and may be at risk of reoffending in the future. The opportunity of engagement in custody means we can enable people to improve their wellbeing, supporting better outcomes in the future.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will support the implementation of a Neurodiverse pathway of care working across five Surrey Prisons within our integrated health care teams. Attendance to all sites is not necessary and working arrangements have flexibility in design. This will include supporting the development and delivery of a comprehensive service, based on evidence and principles of recovery.

The post holder will also be working within a multidiscipline mental health team, with men and women in prison presenting with complex and challenging needs. This will include holding a case load of clinical work under supervision and providing assessment, intervention and evaluation of care.

The work will involve a high level of understanding of the impact of Neurodiversity on daily living function within a custodial setting. The work will enabling prisoners to understand and address their needs as well as identifying their strengths. This will also include working alongside supporting staff (such as wing officers) to understand and support Neurodiversity.

About us

Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust offers its staff ongoing career progression through:

Monthly supervision Annual personal development plans/appraisals Access to exciting internal and external training opportunities.

Excellent progression through various career pathway opportunities such as but not limited to:

Preceptorship Programme Support and guidance with Revalidation Hidden Gem and annual award ceremonies

Excellent staff benefits, our benefit packages are amongst the best in London and include:

Health and wellbeing services Season ticket loans Cycle to work scheme Relocation package

The trust alsovalues its staff and you are entitled to become a member of MyTrustBenefits. MyTrustBenefits is an online portal for all CNWL staff, as well as their family and friends. It offers over 1400 discounts at hundreds of retailers nationwide. Save money on your weekly food shops, toiletries, cosmetics, cinema, meals out, holidays, travel and entertainment. You can also access free online courses on a variety of topics, professional and personal, ranging from business management, languages, law and teaching.

All of our sites in Surrey offer free use of the onsite leisure facilities and free parking for staff.

As an NHS Trust we strongly encourage and support vaccination as this remains the best way to protect yourself, your family, your colleagues and of course patients and service users when working on our healthcare settings.

Job description

Job responsibilities

The Post Holder will support and identify people (through screening or assessment) with Neurodevelopmental Disorders, including Autism, Attention deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities within your designated prison establishment. To directly provide, and support others to offer adapted psychosocial interventions for people whose communication, thinking style and coping strategies are impacted upon by the presence of a Neurodevelopmental Disorder. To hold a caseload of people who are identified to have needs associated with neurodevelopmental disorders and require reasonable adjustments to be made to their healthcare. To advocate for people with neurodevelopmental disorders within the prison system and promote best practice and the safety and wellbeing of patients with Neurodevelopmental Disorders. To work alongside other neurodevelopmental disorder practitioners, in similar roles, working in other prisons. To be supported by your clinical lead to improve the outcomes of people with ND across in all of the prisons served by CNWL, delivering against the national specifications for primary and mental healthcare for people with Neurodevelopmental Disorders. To assist with Neurodiverse informed transition and release planning within your designated prison establishment. Person Specification

EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS

Essential

oHealth and Social Care Profession (Nurse, Mental Health / Learning Disability or Occupational Therapist or Social Worker)Evidence of professional development since registration relevant to this role oCurrent Registration (NMC / HCPC / SWE)

Desirable

oPost registration qualification that enhances clinical work: CBT, DBT, Dual Diagnosis, etc. oMentorship or supervisor qualification

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE

Essential

oClinical experience of the assessment, treatment or support of people who have Autism, ADHD and or Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities in health or social care settings oExperience of working with people whose communication skills are impacted upon by neurodevelopmental disorders and where reasonable adjustments need to be made oExperience of contributing to the formulation or differential diagnosis of individuals with ASD, ADHD and or IDD, where mental illness or other disorder may also be present. oExperience of working as part of a multi-disciplinary team oExperience of care co-ordinating within CPA framework or equivalent oExperience of mentoring or supervising students

Desirable

oExperience of working in a Prison or forensic environment oExperience of working within a multicultural framework. oExperience of using a trauma informed approach. oExperience of working in a community setting oKnowledge and working experience of medication administration for mental health including neurodevelopmental disorders

Skills & Knowledge

Essential

Expert in engaging with people with neurodiversity, assessing their needs, designing and delivering appropriate interventions and evaluating the effectiveness of the process. Awareness of screening tools and assessments for Autism, ADHD and IDD Risk assessment and management skills. Excellent communication skills both verbal and written. Excellent IT skills. Ability to work effectively as part of a team and independently as appropriate. To use supervision positively and effectively. Proven ability to work with service users to increase their level of self-determination and resilience. Effective time management. Knowledge of the needs and rights of service users Problem solving, stress management & conflict resolution skills. Ability to engage in evidence based practice, with an understanding of care quality (clinical governance).

Desirable

Knowledge of CPA, Mental Health Act, MAPPA, legislation and policies relevant to prison mental health

Attitudes, aptitudes personal characteristics

Essential

Motivated to maintain the highest standards possible in the service. Able to accept constructive feedback. Able to ask for support where required. Flexible Compassionate & non-judgmental approach.

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