Assistant Practitioner - Neurodiversity

Devon Partnership NHS Trust; Barnstaple; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Children and Family Health Devon is seeking a Band 4 Assistant Practitioner to support children with neurodevelopmental needs. This role involves delivering high-quality care, assisting with assessments, and collaborating with families and multi-agency colleagues. Ideal candidates will have a Level 5 qualification or be willing to train, contributing to meaningful change in children's lives.

Qualifications

• Must hold or obtain the Care Certificate within 3 months.
• Experience in mental health care settings required.
• Able to work autonomously and use initiative.

Responsibilities

• Support delivery of high-quality care to children and young people.
• Assist with assessment and care planning under supervision.
• Liaise with schools and families to ensure holistic care.

Skills

Knowledge of child development

Excellent communication skills

Ability to work collaboratively

Education

Level 3 QCF in Health and Social Care

GCSE in Maths and English (Grade C or above)

Foundation Degree in Health and Social Care

Job description

Location: Barnstaple, EX31 3UD
Salary: £24625.00 to £29114.00
Date posted: 23rd May 2025
Closing date: 8th June 2025

Children and Family Health Devon (CFHD) is recruiting a Band 4 Assistant Practitioner to join our Neurodiversity Pathway. This is an exciting opportunity to support children and young people with neurodevelopmental needs, including autism, ADHD, and related conditions, as part of a compassionate and multi-disciplinary service.

This role is suitable for applicants who already hold a Level 5 Health and Social Care qualification, or those looking to train into the role. A trainee post (Band 3) will be offered to suitable candidates without the qualification, with support to complete the required foundation degree within two years.

Main duties of the job

Support the delivery of high-quality care to children and young people on the neurodiversity pathway

Assist with assessment, care planning and interventions under the supervision of registered practitioners

Deliver structured, evidence-based support to individuals, families, and groups

Liaise with schools, families, and multi-agency colleagues to ensure holistic care

Maintain accurate records and uphold safeguarding responsibilities

Work flexibly and independently as part of a wider multi-disciplinary team

A trainee route into the Assistant Practitioner role (if needed)

Regular supervision, training and support from experienced clinicians

Opportunity to develop your clinical skills and contribute to meaningful change in childrens lives

If you are caring, motivated and passionate about supporting neurodiverse children and young people, wed love to hear from you.

About us

At Children and Family Health Devon, we are dedicated to improving the physical and mental health of children and young people across Devon and Torbay. We aim to create an environment where young people can thrive and are committed to reducing health inequalities and providing specialised support, empowering them to lead healthy, fulfilling lives.

We would like the people who work for Children and Family Health Devon to be understanding, patient and respectful. They should be trustworthy and make us feel safe and comfortable. It is important that they use their skills and experience to listen carefully in a non-patronising and non-judgemental way. When staff are positive and friendly, they help to create an environment that is informal and without pressure.

We are an alliance of NHS organisations led by Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust in partnership with Devon Partnership Trust. We are a group of professionals including psychologists, psychiatrists, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists, physiotherapists, nurses and many other professions.

Join us in beautiful Devon

With access to moors, sea and cities, there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy Devon. Whether you enjoy spending time in the cultural hub of Exeter, exploring the Jurassic coastline or discovering the world surfing reserve in North Devon there really is something for everyone.

Careers - Children and Family Health Devon

Job responsibilities

Full Vacancy details can be found on the attached Job Description/Person Specification. Please refer to your suitability to the post in your supporting information from the role requirements or person specification.

Person Specification

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of child development.
• The ability to work collaboratively with service users and their families/carers, adapting your approach according to the individual needs of the child to demonstrate excellent communication and interaction skills.
• Able to travel and work across the area covered by the trust as requested by Line Manager

Experience

• Previous experience working in a range of different mental health care settings
• Experience of working autonomously and using own initiative
• Working with young people with challenging behaviour and complex health needs

Qualifications

• Must already hold or obtain the Care Certificate within the first 3 months of employment.
• Level 3 QCF in Health and Social Care or equivalent qualification
• GCSE in Maths and English (Grade C or above) OR Level 2 Key Skills / Functional Skills in Maths and English
• Foundation Degree in Health and Social Care or qualification to diploma level or equivalent
• If a Foundation Degree or equivalent qualification is not already obtained, to complete within 2 years of commencing employment.

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.