Neurodiversity practitioner

NHS

  • Sutton, Greater London
  • £44,485-52,521 per year
  • Permanent
  • Full-time
  • 7 hours ago
This is an exciting opportunity to join a newly commissioned Offender Personality Disorder (OPD) Service. The service which is in its early stages of mobilisation will include an OPD outreach service to men within HMP High Down and a specialist residential Psychologically Informed Planned Environment (PIPE) unit for men with learning disabilities. The services form part of the national Men's OPD pathway and will be a national first.You will be joining a new staff team that will include psychologists, occupational therapy, a Speech & Language therapist, prison officers and an Advanced Lived Experience Practitioner. We are seeking a compassionate & enthusiastic practitioner who enjoys working as part of a team and assisting service users reach their full potential.This is a London Pathways Partnership (LPP) service, with CNWL as the lead provider. LPP is a consortium of 5 NHS Trusts working in partnership to deliver a network of services to complex and high-risk service users in London & the Southeast. LPP deliver integrated services, primarily within the OPD pathway across London community & within several local prisons, thus ensuring a supported prison to community pathway. We actively support research and have close relationships with academics from several local universitiesMain duties of the jobTo identify people (through screening or assessment) with Neurodevelopmental Disorders, including Autism, Attention deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Intellectual and Developmental DisabilitiesTo work as an independent neurodiversity practitioner with men with personality disorder and learning disability residing on the PIPE and with men in prison presenting with complex & challenging needs as part of the outreach service.To co-facilitate adapted group and individual psychosocial interventions for men whose communication, thinking style and coping strategies are impacted upon by the presence of a Neurodevelopmental Disorder.To provide expert neurodiversity knowledge, support & training to support the team and wider establishment provide a neurodiverse aware environment.To support the men on the PIPE access services in the prison.About usHMP High Down is in easy reach of London and the surrounding areas, has free parking and offers staff free use of onsite leisure activities.By joining LPP and CNWL you will be joining a department that provide an array of mental health and OPD services across London and the home counties. Our Surrey prisons are all expanding their neurodiversity provision and you will have access to expert supervision. Our staff are dynamic and welcoming and the networking and CPD opportunities are central to our services ethos. We have active research forums and promote the work we do through academic and clinical forums. All staff are supported with career aspirations and progression.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
The trust also values 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,DetailsDate posted04 September 2025Pay schemeAgenda for changeBandBand 6Salary£44,485 to £52,521 a year pa inc HCASContractPermanentWorking patternFull-timeReference number333-D-HJ-1849Job locationsHMP High DownSuttonSM2 5PJJob descriptionJob responsibilitiesYou will be joining a new staff team that will include psychologists, occupational therapy, a Speech & Language therapist, prison officers and an Advanced Lived Experience Practitioner. We are seeking a compassionate & enthusiastic practitioner who enjoys working as part of a team and assisting service users reach their full potential. Job descriptionJob responsibilitiesYou will be joining a new staff team that will include psychologists, occupational therapy, a Speech & Language therapist, prison officers and an Advanced Lived Experience Practitioner. We are seeking a compassionate & enthusiastic practitioner who enjoys working as part of a team and assisting service users reach their full potential.Person SpecificationEDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONSEssential
  • Health 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
Desirable
  • Post registration qualification that enhances clinical work: CBT, DBT, Dual Diagnosis, etc.
  • Mentorship or supervisor qualification
EXPERIENCEEssential
  • Clinical 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
  • Experience of working with people whose communication skills are impacted upon by neurodevelopmental disorders and where reasonable adjustments need to be made
  • Experience 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.
  • Experience of working as part of a multi-disciplinary team
  • Experience of care co-ordinating within CPA framework or equivalent
  • Experience of mentoring or supervising students
Desirable
  • Experience of working in a Prison or forensic environment
  • Experience of working within a multicultural framework
  • Experience of using a trauma informed approach.
  • Experience of working in a community setting
  • Knowledge and working experience of medication administration for mental health including neurodevelopmental disorders.
SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIESEssential
  • 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
  • Ability to work effectively as part of a team and independently as appropriate.
  • Ability to engage in evidence based practice, with an understanding of care quality (clinical governance).
  • Proven ability to work with service users to increase their level of self-determination and resilience.
  • Risk assessment and management skills.
  • Excellent communication skills both verbal and written
  • Excellent IT skills.
  • To use supervision positively and effectively.
  • Effective time management.
  • Knowledge of the needs and rights of service users
  • Knowledge of safeguarding frameworks
  • Problem solving, stress management & conflict resolution skills.
Desirable
  • Knowledge of CPA, Mental Health Act, MAPPA, legislation and policies relevant to prison mental health.
ATTITUDES, APTITUDES, PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICSEssential
  • Compassionate & non-judgmental approach.
  • Motivated to maintain the highest standards possible in the service.
  • Able to accept constructive feedback.
  • Able to ask for support where required.
  • Flexible
Person SpecificationEDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONSEssential
  • Health 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
Desirable
  • Post registration qualification that enhances clinical work: CBT, DBT, Dual Diagnosis, etc.
  • Mentorship or supervisor qualification
EXPERIENCEEssential
  • Clinical 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
  • Experience of working with people whose communication skills are impacted upon by neurodevelopmental disorders and where reasonable adjustments need to be made
  • Experience 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.
  • Experience of working as part of a multi-disciplinary team
  • Experience of care co-ordinating within CPA framework or equivalent
  • Experience of mentoring or supervising students
Desirable
  • Experience of working in a Prison or forensic environment
  • Experience of working within a multicultural framework
  • Experience of using a trauma informed approach.
  • Experience of working in a community setting
  • Knowledge and working experience of medication administration for mental health including neurodevelopmental disorders.
SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIESEssential
  • 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
  • Ability to work effectively as part of a team and independently as appropriate.
  • Ability to engage in evidence based practice, with an understanding of care quality (clinical governance).
  • Proven ability to work with service users to increase their level of self-determination and resilience.
  • Risk assessment and management skills.
  • Excellent communication skills both verbal and written
  • Excellent IT skills.
  • To use supervision positively and effectively.
  • Effective time management.
  • Knowledge of the needs and rights of service users
  • Knowledge of safeguarding frameworks
  • Problem solving, stress management & conflict resolution skills.
Desirable
  • Knowledge of CPA, Mental Health Act, MAPPA, legislation and policies relevant to prison mental health.
ATTITUDES, APTITUDES, PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICSEssential
  • Compassionate & non-judgmental approach.
  • Motivated to maintain the highest standards possible in the service.
  • Able to accept constructive feedback.
  • Able to ask for support where required.
  • Flexible

NHS