Acute Learning Disabilities and Neurodivergent Liaison Nurse

NHS; Milton Keynes; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional healthcare provider in Milton Keynes is seeking an Acute Learning Disabilities and Neurodivergent Liaison Nurse. This position requires a compassionate registered nurse to enhance care for adults with learning disabilities. Responsibilities include providing expert advice, advocating for patients, and ensuring compliance with the Equality Act. Previous nursing experience and a strong commitment to professional development are essential. Flexible working hours available. Apply now to contribute to an important healthcare service.

Qualifications

• Registered nurse with experience in learning disabilities.
• Willingness to progress to a masters degree.
• Experience in multi-professional collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Provide specialist assessment and treatment for patients.
• Manage a defined caseload of service users.
• Participate in training programs and knowledge sharing.

Skills

Planning and prioritising activity

Strong communication skills

Documentation and adherence to policies

Self-motivated teamwork

Presentation skills

Education

Registered nurse Adult / Child / Mental Health / Learning Disability

First degree or equivalent

Teaching Qualification

Management or Leadership qualification

Job description

Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Acute Learning Disabilities and Neurodivergent Liaison Nurse

Closing date: 02 January 2026

Band 6: £38,682 - £46,580 per annum

Hours: 37.5 per week; all MKUH roles will be considered for flexible working

Are you an experienced and compassionate Registered Nurse eager to make a meaningful impact in the lives of adults with learning disabilities in an acute healthcare setting? Milton Keynes University Hospital are seeking a dynamic nurse to join our team as Acute Learning Disabilities and Neurodivergent Liaison Nurse. In this role, you will play a vital role in improving care and reducing inequalities for adults with learning disabilities in our hospital.

The successful applicant will provide expert advice to acute staff, advocate for patients with learning disabilities and ensure reasonable adjustments are identified and implemented under the Equality Act 2010. This is a great opportunity for a motivated nurse to further develop their specialist skills, contribute to wider cultural change in an acute setting, and influence patient outcomes.

Contact: Patricia Flynn, Head of Clinical Quality – [e-mail]

Previous applicants need not apply

Interview w/c 16 January 2026

Main duties of the job

Learning disability and neurodivergent nurses within acute hospitals help address the holistic needs of people with learning disabilities who need to be treated for physical health problems or symptoms. Such services improve quality of care, dignity, quality of life and health outcomes for people with learning disabilities, and they improve the understanding and skills of other professionals in the acute setting. This is a vital service for some of the most vulnerable people in society.

About us

Milton Keynes University Hospital, in partnership with the University of Buckingham, is a University Teaching Hospital committed to advancing patient care through cutting‑edge research and education. With a "Good" rating from the CQC and significant investment underway, this is an exciting time to join our team and grow your career.

We provide a full range of general medical and surgical services, including a busy Emergency Department, Maternity, and Paediatrics. As the population of our city and surrounding areas continues to grow rapidly, we are expanding and enhancing our facilities to meet rising demand and improve access to care for all communities.

We also offer a growing portfolio of specialist services. In January 2025 we opened our state‑of‑the‑art Radiotherapy Centre. Our services also include neonatology, specialist surgical care, and a wide range of diagnostics, supported by the new Community Diagnostic Centre at Whitehouse Health Centre.

Further investment is underway, including the construction of Oak Wards – a new ward block featuring two 24‑bed wards – and the recently approved Women and Children's Centre, set to open by 2030.

Job responsibilities

Service Management

• Provide specialist nursing assessment and treatment for people with a learning disability or who are neurodivergent, a of settings, to promote independence using a person‑centred approach.
• Provide nursing specialist support to a defined caseload of service users, including those with multiple health and social care needs.

Education training

• Participate in the sharing of knowledge with colleagues.
• Participate in in‑service training programmes as required.

Professional responsibilities

• Ensure that written and oral reports on the patient’s condition and treatment are received within a given duty span.
• Ensure that patients and their relatives’ needs are met in a courteous, helpful and compassionate way.
• Support and improve the quality of care for those with learning disabilities and neurodivergence within a general acute hospital environment, for individuals over the age of 18.

Main outcomes

• Reduced anxiety for people with learning disabilities and neurodivergence in the acute hospital setting.
• Improved healthcare experience for people with learning disabilities and neurodivergence.

Please refer to the attached Job Description for further details.

Person Specification

Qualifications and knowledge

• Registered nurse Adult / Child / Mental Health / Learning Disability
• First degree or equivalent
• Evidence of professional development with a willingness to progress to masters degree
• Teaching Qualification
• Management or Leadership qualification

Experience

• Previous experience as a Band 5 or Band 6 nurse with interest in learning disabilities
• Experience of multi‑professional collaboration and partnership working with other statutory and voluntary agencies
• Knowledge and understanding of learning disabilities and experience of using creative and sophisticated interventions with people in distress
• Specialist Education and training in Learning Disability service provision
• Knowledge of key NHS issues including national and local policy drivers

Skills

• Ability to plan, prioritise and document activity
• Ability to develop strong working relationships and motivate staff and others
• Produce clear and concise documentation and adhere to Trust policies
• Self‑motivated and able to work independently and as part of a team
• Ability to cope with tight deadlines and prioritise workload
• Assist others in the team to achieve their objectives and deliver safe, effective care
• Demonstrate presentation skills

Personal and people development

• Evidence of own professional development
• Evidence of management and leadership of staff teams
• Experience of managing and developing colleagues

Communication

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to use a wide range of communication methods/tools to support a person’s understanding and promote effective communication

Specific requirements

• Able to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.