Clinical Nurse Specialist - Learning Disabilities and Autism

Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust; Greater London; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading children's hospital in Greater London seeks a dedicated Clinical Nurse Specialist focused on learning disabilities and autism. The role emphasizes providing equitable and high-quality care for patients with learning disabilities, ensuring they receive tailored support. Responsibilities include leading multidisciplinary teams, promoting patient involvement, and liaising with families and health organizations. Applicants should possess NMC registration and relevant experience. This permanent, full-time position offers a chance to make a meaningful impact in a supportive environment.

Qualifications

• Evidence of ongoing, dynamic continuing professional development linked to clinical competencies.
• Sufficient experience at band 6 level or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert support and advice to the multidisciplinary team.
• Assess and implement person-centred adjustments for patients.

Skills

Excellent relevant clinical skills

Excellent managerial and leadership skills

Excellent communication skills

Ability to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team

Able to manage and de-escalate conflict

Teaching and training skills

Education

Current registration with the NMC as a Learning Disability or Children's Registered Nurse

Possession of a relevant honour's degree

Job description

Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust

Clinical Nurse Specialist - Learning Disabilities and Autism

The closing date is 18 January 2026

We are looking for a dedicated, enthusiastic and dynamic learning disability nurse to work within the Learning Disability and Autism Team at GOSH as a Clinical Nurse Specialist. The primary purpose of the role is to ensure that patients with learning disabilities and/or Autism who use Trust services receive both equitable and the highest possible standard of care.

Our team is committed to ensuring that children and young people with learning disabilities and/or Autism, and their families receive equal access to safe, high quality care and treatment that is person centred to meet their particular needs, across all of our services. Furthermore, that they are equally valued and included as active partners in their care, recognising their individual expertise. Our vision is built around a culture of evidence-based healthcare, inclusivity and continued learning and improvement.

Main duties of the job

As a senior nurse leader, the Learning Disabilities and Autism CNS is a key member of the Nursing and Patient Experience team with a responsibility to contribute to wider service delivery. The primary purpose of the role is to ensure that patients with learning disabilities and/or Autism who use Trust services receive equitable care.

• Providing expert support and advice to the multidisciplinary team
• Assessing and supporting the implementation of person centred reasonable adjustments for patients with a learning disability and/or Autism.
• Supporting trust adherence to the Mental Capacity Act(2005)
• Liaising with families, patients and other health and social care organisations

About us

GOSH is committed to recruiting the best person for the job, based solely on their ability and individual merit as measured against the criteria for the role; through a process that is fair, open, consistent and free from bias and discrimination.

We are committed to being a diverse and inclusive employer and foster a culture where all staff are valued, respected and acknowledged. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, age, disability status or length of time spent unemployed.

We particularly welcome applications from BAME communities, people with disabilities and/or long-term health conditions and LGBT+ community members.

We have policies and procedures in place to ensure that all applicants and employees are treated fairly and consistently. We are proud to be accredited as a Disability Confident Employer, a member of Business Disability Forum and a Stonewall Diversity Champion.

We have active and Executive supported BAME, LGBT+ and Allies, Disability and Long-Term Health Conditions and Women's staff networks. Staff networks are employee-led groups formed around interests, issues and a common bond or background. Staff network members create a positive and inclusive work environment at Great Ormond Street Hospital by actively contributing to the Trust's mission, values and efforts specific to inclusion. All of our staff networks are open to any employee.

Job responsibilities

The full job description provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience, and knowledge required. For both documents please view the attachment/s below.

Person Specification

Our Always Values

• GOSH Values
• Knowledge and understanding of diverse backgrounds and perspectives.
• Understanding of Diversity and Inclusion challenges in the workplace.
• Demonstrable contribution to advancing Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace

Education & Qualifications

• Current registration with the NMC as a Learning Disability or Children's Registered Nurse
• Evidence of on-going, dynamic continuing professional development within the specialty, linked to demonstrable clinical competencies
• Student Practice Assessor
• Possession of a relevant honour's degree

Skills & Abilities

• Excellent relevant clinical skills, specialist skills and abilities for the post
• Excellent managerial, leadership and organisational skills
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to communicate effectively with children and young people with a learning disability, their families and with colleagues.
• Ability to work as part of a wider multi-disciplinary team
• Able to problem solve and initiate, manage and sustain change
• Influencing and negotiating skills
• Teaching and training skills
• Understanding of the management of Sensory Processing disorders
• Ability to triage and manage a varied and complex workflow
• Demonstrates Compassion In Practice
• Able to work across professional team and organizational boundaries
• Able to work with patients with learning disabilities/Autism to support a fully inclusive approach to participation in patient involvement and experience events
• Ability to manage and de-escalate conflict situations
• Interviewing skills
• Ability to critically appraise literature and apply findings to practice
• Experience working clinically within a ward setting

Knowledge & Experience

• Sufficient experience at band 6 level or equivalent, including within relevant clinical environment
• Expert knowledge relevant to the speciality/field or practice
• Strong knowledge of the Mental Capacity Act (2005) and its application within a Paediatric Hospital Setting
• Experience of change management and problem solving
• Experience of working with children and young people to develop information designed to meet their needs
• Experience of engaging young people with a learning disability in developing services to support their needs
• Experience of handling clinical incidents and complaints
• Understanding of professional and current issues in children's nursing, learning disability nursing and healthcare.
• Understanding of audit and research methodologies
• Understanding of resource management, health and safety, clinical risk and quality issues
• Knowledge of child protection procedures
• Knowledge of nurse revalidation requirements
• Experience of audit, benchmarking and/or research
• Experience of practice development, innovation.
• Experience of working as a CNS

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.

Address

Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

271-NPE-7338141-B

Job locations

Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust