CYP Autism Pathway Practitioner – Development post

NHS; Macclesfield; Hybrid; GBP 38,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading health service provider in the UK is offering a unique opportunity for a CYP Autism Pathway Practitioner. This role involves developing skills in autism care, working with young people and families, and participating in a dynamic multi-disciplinary team. Ideal candidates will have experience with autism and be eager to learn through training programs. Flexible working arrangements are available, including remote options. A competitive salary and a supportive environment await the right individual.

Benefits

Comprehensive training programs

Flexible working hours

Supportive work environment

Qualifications

• Required qualifications include a degree in a healthcare field and registration with HCPC.
• Training in specialist diagnostic assessment tools is necessary.
• Must have post-registration experience working with autistic individuals.

Responsibilities

• Identify strengths and needs of young individuals with autism.
• Work with families and agencies to explore diagnostic criteria.
• Participate in a multi-disciplinary team approach to care.

Skills

Ability to assess / plan / evaluate care

Experience working with autistic individuals

Knowledge of child protection issues

Education

Degree in a health care field or equivalent experience

Registered nurse with HCPC

Job description

CYP Autism Pathway Practitioner – Development post

The closing date is 07 January 2026

We are delighted to be able to offer a band 6 to band 7 development opportunity (start point depending on experience).

This is an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic, highly motivated, and dynamic SALT, OT, Social Worker, or Specialist Nurse, to develop knowledge, skills and experience of autism. A programme of formal and informal training and support will be available – including an Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) training course. You will need prior experience of working with autistic young people and their families, and enthusiasm for learning more about differential diagnostic assessment.

Hours of work are negotiable. Whilst our base is in Macclesfield we have other bases of work in Ellesmere Port and Chester, and so base is also negotiable. This role will involve remote working/hybrid working; however there will be a requirement to work from the office on certain days.

CWP hosts CANDDID, the Centre for Autism Neurodevelopmental disorders and Intellectual Disabilities, which carries out research, education and training including a post‑graduate course in neuro‑developmental differences, and it holds an annual international conference.

Proposed shortlisting date 08/01/2026 and interview date 22/01/2026

Main duties of the job

In line with our CWP Autism Strategy you will work with others to identify the strengths as well as the needs of each young person; support them to understand the diagnostic outcome and what it means for them. You will also work with the local autism community hub. CWP is dedicated to working in partnership to ensure that the unique profile of each person is understood, and support is tailored. Autistic young people will be working with the team to find the best person for this post. You will have an opportunity to meet with at least two autistic young people during the informal part of the interview process.

You will work with the young person, their family and other agencies to identify each individual profile and to explore whether the autism diagnostic criteria has been met. You will work as part of a multi‑disciplinary team across organisations. After the diagnostic review has taken place, you will offer feedback focused on understanding, and next steps towards achieving each individual's own aspirations in life. You will be supported to agree a working pattern that suits you as well as the service. A flexible mix of face‑to‑face clinics and remote working can be established. This allows the best possible service for families and the best possible work‑life balance for members of the team.

About us

Cheshire and Wirral Partnership (CWP) provides health and care services for a population of over one million people, including mental health, learning disability, community physical health and all‑age disability care, as well as the provision of three GP surgeries in Cheshire.

We employ around 4,500 staff across 73 sites and have services across Wirral and Cheshire, as well as Trafford, Warrington, Bolton, Halton, Liverpool and Stockport.

Our aim is to help improve the lives of everyone in our communities, adopting a compassionate, person‑centred approach to everything we do. We are rated as Outstanding for Caring by the Care Quality Commission, with a Good rating overall.

As a Disability Confident Employer, Rainbow Badge Scheme member, Veteran Aware organisation and proud holder of the Armed Forces Covenant Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award, CWP is committed to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible and developing a culture that values differences, and welcome applications from people who have direct experience of accessing our services.

All new starters will commence in post on one fixed start date each month, in line with our Prepare to Care (P2C) induction programme date. P2C offers up to 3 weeks training to support you to meet the induction / initial training requirements of the role.

Whether you are just starting out in your career or looking to use your existing skills and experience in a new role, you'll find something to suit you at CWP.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Registered nurse / Registered with the Health Care Professionals Council (HCPC) in a discipline relevant to the service
• Degree in a health care field or equivalent experience in the health care field
• Training in the use of specialist diagnostic assessment tools related to neuro‑developmental difference
• Enthusiasm to attend masters level postgraduate courses relevant to the specialist area

Knowledge and Expertise

• Post‑registration knowledge that is relevant to the specialist area
• Ability to assess / plan / evaluate care to young people and families
• Support families in crisis
• Demonstrate ability to chair meetings and contribute to team discussions
• Ability to deliver training to other professionals and services
• Knowledge of national and local priorities and changing trends in the specialist area
• Working knowledge of child protection issues
• Experience with quality initiatives
• Ability to manage conflict situations to an amicable resolution
• Confidence / experience in managing potentially challenging situations

Experience

• Post‑registration experience of working with autistic individuals
• Direct experience of working with people with complex needs (i.e. co‑existing differences and difficulties)
• Experience of undertaking projects
• Experience of teaching and mentoring others
• Experience of working with autistic children and young people in a variety of mental health services

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

Base options are Macclesfield / Chester & Ellesmere Port

£38,682 to £46,580 a year, pro rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

36 months

Working pattern

Part‑time, Home or remote working, Compressed hours, Annualised hours

Reference number

373‑CYP1499

Job locations

Base options are Macclesfield / Chester & Ellesmere Port

Contact

For further help and support for completing your application, see our website or contact our recruitment team via email at: [e-mail] or by calling 01244 393100.

Applicants with a disability that meets the definition set out in the Equality Act 2010 should answer YES to the question: ‘Do you wish to be considered under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme?’

Applicants are advised to apply early as if a large number of applications are received for this post we reserve the right to close the vacancy prior to the advertised date.