Job summary
- Main area
- Paediatric Neurodevelopment
- Grade
- NHS AfC: Band 4
- Contract
- 12 months (fixed term)
- Hours
- Full time
- Part time
- Flexible working
- Job ref
- 216-EG-DA7727706
- Employer
- University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Child Development Centre
- Town
- Plymouth
- Salary
- £27,485 - £30,162 per annum, pro rata if part time
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 25/02/2026 23:59
Employer heading
Specialist Support Worker (Autism Assessment)
NHS AfC: Band 4
Job overview
The post is part of a specific team commissioned to undertake autism assessments in children. You will be based within the paediatric Neurodevelopmental team based at the child development centre in Plymouth although the assessments will be undertaken in various settings across Plymouth and west Devon. Flexible and hybrid working is possible.
Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as ‘Priority’ and 'At Risk' status including NHS at Risk staff throughout Devon who is able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.
Main duties of the job
This role will include support to the multi-disciplinary team completing assessment as part of our pre-school and school-age autism spectrum pathways. Information will be gathered to support the team in developing a formulation regarding a young person’s presentation through observation, assessment and information gathering.
This role will also include support to young people and families in advance of or while awaiting assessment to consider a possible autism spectrum condition. This will focus on intervention which will have maximum benefit for the broadest range of families including groups, workshop and liaison with partner agencies.
The Community Paediatric service is a multi-disciplinary team, and work will take place in conjunction with or under the supervision of a range of professionals to ensure the most appropriate care & support is delivered to young people and families.
Working for our organisation
We are a people business – where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care. The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure. PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY. If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process please contact the recruitment manager for this post who will put you in touch with the recruitment team. We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants around less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission. We commit to giving this full consideration in each case. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams. It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
1. To support the assessment of young people suspecting of having an autism spectrum condition in conjunction with, and under the supervision of, the multi-disciplinary assessment team. This may include delegated tasks such as observations of young people or use of specific assessment tools.
2. To liaise with professionals both within or external to the community paediatric service in gathering information and insight regarding young people
3. To take part in multi-disciplinary discussions to help formulate outcomes for young people
4. To delivery intervention and support to young people and families on a range of topics through groups and workshops
5. Under the supervision of the multi-disciplinary team, offer targeted support to children and families based on specific goals and outcomes
6. To provide clear, accessible information in a written format which can be shared with the young person, their families and other professionals
7. Proactively engage in supervision with the wider team and manager
8. Liaise with partner organisations in planning and providing support including schools & other education services, local authorities and charitable organisations
9. Engage in multi-agency meetings such as Team Around Me or Early Help Assessment Plan meetings
10. Keep contemporaneous, legible and accurate records regarding all involvement with young people and families
11. Assist in the maintenance and cleaning of toys & equipment which are used as part of the assessment process
12. Be aware of strategies which children with special education needs or disabilities may use as part of their communication including signing and other visual communication tools
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- • NVQ level 3 or equivalent in relevant field such as childcare or equivalent demonstrable experience
Desirable criteria
- • Child protection/safeguarding training
knowledge and experience
Essential criteria
- • Demonstrable experience of working with children and young people who have an autism spectrum condition
- • Demonstrable experience of delivering interventions within a group environment
- • Demonstrable experience of working with clinicians from different professional backgrounds
- • Proven knowledge of child development
- • Understanding of approaches to behaviours which challenge
Desirable criteria
- • Proven knowledge of conditions which may co-exist with an autism spectrum condition such as ADHD and learning disabilities
- • Insight in to the autism assessment process
- • Proven knowledge of alternative or augmentative communication methods such as Makaton
Appitude and abilities
Essential criteria
- • Good communication skills both verbally and in writing
- • Ability to prioritise and organise work effectively
- • Good observational skills
- • Excellent organisational skills
Disposition and motivation
Essential criteria
- • Ability to work well within a busy environment accepting delegated tasks
- • Self-motivated, enthusiastic and committed
- • Ability to travel to different settings
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Sue Syers
- Job title
- Clinical Lead for Neurodevelopmental Pathways
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 01752 439427
- Additional information
Rebecca Jessop lead specialist support worker - [email protected]
List jobs with University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust in Nursing and Midwifery or all sectors