30 hours per week. If you have a passion and are driven to promote and support the needs of autistic people, you have found your home.

We are a new team of dedicated and ambitious practitioners who strive to deliver excellence. As a new team, we strive to develop the model of our service in ways which remove inequality and discrimination.

The team delivers flexible, responsive and person-centred autism assessments, enabling and sharing knowledge with our colleagues across our community mental health framework.

Main duties of the job

Primarily, the post holder will undertake autism assessments within and as part of a multi-disciplinary team but will also have the opportunity to contribute to the wider autism pathway.

All Livewell Southwest staff are expected to able and willing to work across a 7 day service.

Job Share(s) Considered

please note that this role may not be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route, please refer to the Direct Gov website for more information with regards to eligibility

please note that this role may not be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route, please refer to the Direct Gov website for more information with regards to eligibility

About us

Before making a formal application, we would recommend that applicants who are interested to call the recruiting manager for an informal conversation about the role as this can give insight into the job they are applying for. Livewell Southwest prides itself in a values-based approach which attracts and recruits on the basis that an individual's values and behaviours align with the values of the organisation'.

Livewell Southwest values its staff and makes investment in their development a priority. Currently we offer:

Protected CPD time for registered staff

Various development pathways for unregistered and registered staff

Leadership and mentoring programmes

Ongoing regular training packages for all staff

Access and funding for training including Care Certificate, Assistant Practitioners Course and Scholarship Into Nurse Training

Robust Preceptorship

A bespoke induction programme

Relocation package may be considered for the right candidate for certain roles

Existing members of the NHS Pension Scheme can continue their membership when they join the organisation.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Appendix 1: Guidance on compiling job descriptions and person specifications

1.JOB DETAILS

Job Title: Senior Autism/Mental Health Practitioner

Band: Band 6

Locality:Mental Health and Wellbeing

Base:Westbourne

Responsible to:PASS Clinical Lead

2.JOB PURPOSE

Plymouth Autism Spectrum Service Assessment Team (PASS-AT) provides specialist assessment to adults (who do not have Learning Disabilities) who suspect they may be autistic. This is a person centred service which holds the needs of clients at the heart of what we do. Assessment provides a space for people to talk, and can provide new or confirmed understandings of who they are and what support they need. The assessment team works closely with PASS-AS, our sister Advice Service. PASS-AS empower autistic people to access support, education and advice. Both PASS-AT and PASS-AS provide consultation to Livewell Southwest staff and teams and appropriate service within Plymouth City Council and NHS University Hospitals Trust Plymouth.

The post will focus specifically on assessment. You will provide both diagnostic assessment and expertise in your core discipline. You will deliver specialist, bespoke training to mental health, physical health and Adult social care staff, providing specialist knowledge of the needs of people with Autism. You will support the clinical lead and be responsible for the running of the assessment service. You will provide specialist consultation to other health and social care practitioners.

3.DEPARTMENTAL POSITION

4.SCOPE AND RANGE

The post holder may periodically rotate with practitioners within the advice service arm of the team to deliver advice and occasional interventions using your core professional skills. Training will be provided.

The post-holder will be a NMC/HCPC registered practitioner, providing specialist assessment for adults who suspect they are Autistic. This is a clinic based community post based within the multi-disciplinary team of Plymouth Autism Spectrum Service (PASS) which is part of Livewell Southwest. The post will interest someone who is passionate about meeting the needs of people with Autism, enjoys working within a multi-disciplinary environment and who is motivated to develop an innovative service.

The post holder will work within the multi-disciplinary team to develop the newly created Plymouth Autism Spectrum Service Assessment Team. At present, the team is commissioned to deliver assessment to people of Plymouth who are seeking a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Condition. The team operate in two distinct domains:

1.Assessment

2.Training and consultation

5. MAIN DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

The post holder will ensure that they gain and maintain competencies and knowledge of research and development in the delivery of services to people seeking a diagnosis of Autism

Assessment Service

The post holder will:

Be responsible for organising and coordinating the activity of the Assessment Service. They will ensure that all required resources are available.

Support the clinical lead as and when appropriate.

Provide highly specialised profession specific assessments

Provide advice and support to people who access the Assessment Team.

Be responsible for ensuring that all clinical information for people accessing the service is recorded accurately on Livewell Southwests electronic Record System SystmOne.

Be responsible for communicating delicate and complex clinical information and diagnostic conclusions verbally and in writing.

Be responsible for supporting other temporary members of the team in conducting assessment and report writing.

Attend regular line management and practice supervision sessions.

Attend peer supervision sessions.

Keep up to date in their professional qualification.

Training

Be competent at delivering training about autism and autism assessment.

Support the clinical lead as and when appropriate.

Where appropriate, the post holder will support delivery of Tier 1, mandatory training to Livewell Southwest staff.

Consultancy

Provide consultancy support to teams or individual practitioners, managers or service leads within Livewell Southwest.

5.1Responsibility for People Management

The post holder will, where appropriate, support the clinical lead.

the Clinical lead to offer support to members of PASS-AT, including temporary staff.

5.2Responsibility for financial and/or physical resources

The post holder will hold no financial responsibilities

5.3Responsibility for administration

The post holder will be

Responsible for maintaining accurate clinical records in accordance with Livewell Southwest policies

Required to complete specific tasks related to the development of communications, service leaflets, website development

Required to complete reports, audits, service evaluations

Contribute to writing up research if appropriate.

5.4Responsibility for people who use our services

The post holder will typically provide support to people who use the service

in the following areas:

Respect, empathy and kindness

Professional Specific Assessment where indicated (e.g. sensory profiles).

Planning

Assessment

Reasonable Adjustments

Risk assessment

The post holder will work within their Code of Conduct, legal frameworks of confidentiality, equality, data protection, human rights.

5.5Responsibility for implementation of policy and/or service developments

The Post holder will be:

Responsible for coordinating and implementing clinical audits for the purpose of service evaluations

Undertake research in specific and identified areas of clinical practice and outcomes

Contribute highly specialist input into the development of service development, operational procedure and service development

5.6Other Responsibilities

The post holder may be asked to undertake activities that sit within the remit of their competencies and banding.

6. COMMUNICATIONS AND RELATIONSHIPS

The post holder will:

Develop supportive and clinically appropriate relationships with people who access the service, their families and supporters

At times have to communicate sensitive and contentious information

At times, receive sensitive and distressing information from people who use the service

Communicate technical and clinical information and advice to Livewell Southwest and Plymouth City Council practitioners

Respond to requests for information from Livewell Southwest managers and other governance related departments

Participate in Devon CCG meetings, where summary and advice may be sought from the CCG

7. PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF THE JOB

The post holder will:

Be required to participate in the Assessment Service which will require the post holder to travel to the identified venue

The post holder will require access to transport that will enable them to undertake multiple duties and activity around the city of Plymouth

Carrying assessment tools.

8.ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR ALL POSTS

The post holder is required to comply with all relevant policies and procedures pertinent to their post. Current versions can be found on the intranet or via your manager. The areas listed below are those Livewell Southwest currently places particular emphasis on. Failure to follow correct policies and procedures may result in disciplinary action.

8.1Risk Management

In accordance with the Risk Management Strategy, employees will participate, whenever required, with the risk management process. They will support line managers by attending mandatory and statutory training, completing incident/accident forms for every adverse event or near miss that occurs, report all defects and complaints, and communicate any dangerous situation to individuals potentially at risk.

8.2Health and Safety at Work

You must co-operate with those in authority and others in meeting the statutory requirements and in following policies and procedures. A copy of the Health and Safety Policy is available from the intranet or from the Risk Management Department.

You are reminded that in accordance with the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 you have a duty to take reasonable care to avoid injury to yourself and to others affected by your work activities.

You will be notified where your post carries a requirement for immunisation.

You may be required to be able to undertake physical intervention training and participate in physical intervention as part of a physical intervention team and Basic Life Support (BLS).

8.3Infection Control

Livewell Southwest is determined to eradicate healthcare-acquired infection and puts a great deal of emphasis on the responsibility of all staff to ensure their own personal and others compliance with Infection Control (including Hand Washing) Policies. All staff must comply with infection control policies and guidance, attend relevant updates and report issues of concern to their immediate line manager (if no action or explanation received, then it is the individuals responsibility to escalate their concerns to the Director of Operations or Chief Executives Office).

This Job Description is not exhaustive and may change as the post develops, but such change will not take place without consultation between the post holder and their manager. Job descriptions should be reviewed at least annually at the appraisal meeting.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• NMC/HCPC Registered Practitioner (e.g. Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Speech and Language Therapy, Physiotherapy, Social Worker etc) or equivalent qualification at Degree or Masters level

Desirable

• Post registration or other qualification relating to Autism
• Post registration qualifications in any other of the identified clinical areas
• ADOS/ Autism Diagnosis training

Experience

Essential

• A minimum of two years post registration experience
• Working with autistic people
• Providing consultation and advice to other health and social care practitioners
• Delivering specialised/highly specialised training

Desirable

• Experience of working in a diagnostic service
• Experience communicating complex or sensitive diagnoses/outcomes.

Knowledge and skills

Essential

• The post holder will require a good knowledge of:
• Autism Spectrum Condition
• Autism Act
• Equality Act
• Working within health or social care services
• Positive Behaviour Support
• Logical
• Organised
• Outstanding and adaptable communicator
• Working positively as part of a team
• Being self-reliant and autonomous

Desirable

• Autism Assessment utilising specialist Therapy Assessments
• Line management/ supervisory experience

Knowledge and skills

Essential

• The post holder will require a good knowledge of:
• Autism Spectrum Condition
• Autism Act
• Equality Act
• Working within health or social care services
• Positive Behaviour Support
• Logical
• Organised
• Outstanding and adaptable communicator
• Working positively as part of a team
• Being self-reliant and autonomous

Desirable

• Autism Assessment utilising specialist Therapy Assessments
• Line management/ supervisory experience

Employer details

Employer name

Livewell Southwest

Address

Westbourne Unit

Beacon Park Road

Plymouth

PL2 2PQ

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

B9832-2024-SP-1034-2