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Job summary

Main area
Specialist Autism Practitioner
Grade
NHS AfC: Band 7
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm)
Job ref
333-D-MK-MH-1279
Employer
Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Westcroft Health Centre
Town
Milton Keynes
Salary
£47,810 - £54,710 per annum (pro rata if P/T)
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
16/10/2025 23:59
Interview date
23/10/2025

Employer heading

Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust logo

Specialist Autism Practitioner

NHS AfC: Band 7

 

CNWL (Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust) has almost 8,000 staff providing integrated healthcare to a third of London's population, Milton Keynes and areas beyond.  We involve service users, carers, the public, staff and partner organisations in the way that we are run. 

Our catchment area spans diverse communities, with over 100 first languages spoken. It contains areas of great affluence as well as areas of much deprivation.  We are committed to providing services that meet the needs of the people who use them, and we actively encourage involvement from local people who can help make a difference.  We’re proud of our diversity and we continue to undertake new initiatives to advance equality for LGBT+, BME and people with disabilities to promote good relations and understanding between our staff.

We are recognised locally, nationally and internationally for providing high quality, innovative healthcare. We aim to employ only the best people, and our experts are frequently called upon to contribute to national health strategy and policy, and many models of our care have been adapted for use in other countries.

We offer a generous relocation package (subject to eligibility assessment) and flexible working options, including bank assignments for most roles.  For more information on these and other benefits of working for us, see our   Benefits, Reward and Wellbeing page

Become part of our team. We care for you as much as you care for others.

CNWL NHS Foundation Trust are committed to safeguarding all children and vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We follow safe recruitment practices to protect children and vulnerable adults.

Job overview

We are delighted to advertise an exciting opportunity for an experienced Mental Health Nurse/Social Worker/Occupational Therapist, to work within the Community Mental Health Hub and support the Transforming Care work progressing in the Milton Keynes locality area.

Main duties of the job

Previous experience working with Autistic people is a key requirement of the role, in addition to experience working in community mental health services. 

You will need to demonstrate core skills in Key working in addition to, proven skills gained working in Mental Health practice, including with care planning and risk assessment, with knowledge of doing so utilising the DIALOG+ approach.

Knowledge of local and national initiatives relating to the Transforming Care Programme, is a key requirement of this job. Additionally, knowledge and understanding of the Mental Capacity Act, the Mental Health Act, the Care Act and the Autism Act are also required.

There will be opportunities for you to develop and deliver both one to one and group interventions for service users, as well as training and support to other practitioners. The role also has scope to lead on and contribute to service development relating to care for Autistic people and Neurodiversity. You will be supported to develop your leadership skills within the role, in order to support colleagues in local the mental health services undertake their responsibilities within the Transforming Care approach.

Working for our organisation

We are passionate about delivering first-class patient-centred, safe and effective care, whether it is in a hospital setting, in a community clinic or in the patients own home. Patients are at the heart of everything we do.  Providing top quality care depends on our ability to employ the best people. 

We are always looking to recruit outstanding people who will go the extra mile to support our patients, colleagues, teams and the Trust. With every new employee were hoping to find our future leaders and well support our staff by providing opportunities to develop your career. With a diverse culture and equally diverse range of opportunities across mental health, community services, addictions, eating disorders, learning disabilities and more whatever stage of your career you're at, there's always a place for you at CNWL.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

You should have experience in working in the field of health and social care and be able to demonstrate experience of positive partnership working. You will work alongside partners such as: Local mental health inpatient areas, the community Mental Health Hub and ALDT, NHS East of England Provider Collaborative, People who have a Mental Health diagnosis and who have Autism, Carers and Families and the local authority.

Person specification

Education/Qualification/Training

Essential criteria
  • Professional Registration currently registered with governing body e.g., Registered Nurse, Social Worker or Occupational Therapist.
  • Degree level or equivalent supplemented by specialist qualification, training, experience, courses
  • Evidence of post registration training
Desirable criteria
  • Completion of Mentorship Course/ENB equivalent or willing to undertake

Experience

Essential criteria
  • Significant clinical experience
  • Experience of multi-agency working
  • Experience of service development
  • Experience of managing and reporting risks
Desirable criteria
  • Demonstrable of coordinating projects
  • Experience of monitoring budgets and business planning processes.

Skills and Abilities

Essential criteria
  • Ability to form excellent working relationships and to influence others in order to deliver results
  • Ability to manage competing priorities in a busy and changing environment.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
  • Ability to undertake risk assessment

Knowledge

Essential criteria
  • Demonstrable ability to manage own workload and make informed decisions in the absence of required information, working to tight and often, changing timescales.
  • Demonstrable knowledge of local and national frameworks, legal frameworks and guidance’s relating to supporting people who have MH or who are autistic.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Trust IDWe are a Living Wage EmployerEmployers for CarersPurple SpaceHealthy Workplace - Excellence 2018Veteran AwareNo smoking policyMenopause Friendly EmployerDefence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) - BronzeNational Autistic SocietyDisability confident committedStonewall equality policy. Equality and justice for lesbians, gay men, bisexual and trans people.AccessAbleStonewall Gold 2022Step into healthCarer Confident -AccomplishedNHS Rainbow Badge - BronzeArmed Forces CovenantStonewall Top 100 2024Stonewall Gold 2024Working Chance - unlocking women's potential

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

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

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Gemma Carlesimo
Job title
Clinical Nurse Specialist
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
01908 725800
Additional information

Please contact Gemma Carlesimo, Clinical Nurse Specialist at [email protected] or on 01908 725800 for further information

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