LD Specialist Practitioner.

South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Trust; Wakefield; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional healthcare provider in Wakefield is seeking a dedicated LD Specialist Practitioner to join their team. The ideal candidate will have experience in supporting individuals with learning disabilities and be able to work independently in critical situations. Responsibilities include crisis management, multidisciplinary collaboration, and maintaining high standards of care. This position provides a meaningful opportunity to impact the lives of individuals in the community.

Qualifications

• Registered Nurse Learning Disabilities (RNLD) or Occupational Therapist with a focus on learning disabilities.
• Experience working in mental health/learning disabilities settings.
• Willingness to undertake further training relevant to the clinical area.

Responsibilities

• Provide specialist assessment and treatment for individuals receiving intensive support.
• Manage crises according to Trust protocols.
• Maintain up-to-date service user records.

Skills

Confident and decisive

Experience in multidisciplinary teamwork

Positive behavioural support model knowledge

Crisis response delivery

Education

RNLD or BSc/BA, MA Occupational Therapy

Post-graduate qualification in positive behaviour support

HCPC State Registration / NMC registration

Job description

LD Specialist Practitioner

The closing date is 02 December 2025.

Do you fancy becoming the 4th member of the fab 4 LD Out ofHours Team?

Hi, I'm Jackie and I'm really pleased you're looking at this vacancy for a Specialist Practitioner. We're a close-knit, small team who genuinely look out for each other.

We have one vacancy left for a band 6 Specialist Practitioner. The post is open to RNLD nurses or Occupational Therapists with extensive learning disabilities experience.

If you're passionate about making a real difference and want to feel part of something meaningful, we are the team for you. We support people with a learning disability in the community who may be experiencing a mental health crisis or have complex needs, to avoid placement breakdown, inappropriate hospital admission, and risk of contact with the criminal justice service.

You will need to be a confident, decisive individual who can work autonomously with a positive attitude and a commitment to provide the best standard of care and promote a high quality of life for people with learning disabilities across Barnsley, Calderdale, Kirklees & Wakefield districts.

Experience of multidisciplinary working, positive behavioural support model and delivering a crisis response in the community would be highly valued.

The hours of the service are Mon‑Sun 20:00‑08:00 and Sat/Sun 08:00‑20:00.

If you're curious or have any questions, just reach out. My contact details are 07833293314. I'm happy to chat before you apply.

Main Duties of the Job

• Promote a positive behavioural approach, underpinned by professional skills and additional training as needed.
• Work alongside other professionals and agencies within the Trust and across the wider care sector, providing specialist advice and support using appropriate assessment tools based on evidence‑based best practice.
• Manage and respond to crises as per Trust protocols.
• Maintain up‑to‑date records and activity data as per professional and Trust standards.
• Demonstrate a broad understanding of the effect of disability and provide advice in the MDT assessment of service users and carers.
• Work proactively with ward staff, community agencies and voluntary agencies to provide a seamless service for service users.
• Maintain effective communication within the team, liaise with other agencies, voluntary and statutory sectors ensuring service user needs are met.
• Empower families and carers to support individuals with learning disabilities and involve service users in all aspects of their care.

All employees of the Trust are strongly encouraged to be fully vaccinated against COVID‑19 to protect patients.

About us

We are a specialist NHS Foundation Trust that provides community, mental health and learning disability services for the people of Barnsley, Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield. We also provide low and medium secure services and are the lead for the West Yorkshire secure provider collaborative. Our mission is to help people reach their potential and live well in their communities, providing high‑quality care in the right place at the right time.

Job Responsibilities

The post holder will be part of a cohesive and enthusiastic multidisciplinary team, working closely with the locality health team and in‑patient team where required. Responsibilities include:

• Provide specialist assessment, support and treatment for individuals receiving intensive support and care, enabling engagement in a wide range of individual and group‑based treatment activities.
• Promote a positive behavioural approach, underpinned by professional skills and additional training as required.
• Participate in staff training, supervision and professional development activities.
• Manage an individual caseload, prioritise clinical needs and deliver effective services.
• Work with service users to identify goals as part of the overall care plan, using appropriate assessment tools.
• Plan and implement client‑centred treatment programmes, monitor, evaluate and modify treatment to ensure progress.
• Provide training and advice on lifestyle changes and adaptations to the client’s social and physical environment.
• Provide advice during multidisciplinary team assessments, ensuring an integrated approach.
• Co‑ordinate closely with ward staff, community agencies and voluntary agencies for seamless service.
• Maintain effective communication within the team and liaise with other agencies and disciplines.
• Maintain up‑to‑date service‑user records and activity data in accordance with professional and Trust standards.
• Contribute to multi‑disciplinary team meetings, ward rounds, clinics and case conferences.
• Provide reports on assessment and treatment to Consultants, GP's, other agencies.
• Empower families and carers to support individuals with learning disabilities.
• Involve clients in assessment, treatment and evaluation of treatment programmes.
• Promote the positive health and well‑being of the individual.
• Manage own caseload and day‑to‑day activities, responding to patient crisis in a timely manner.
• Coordinate day‑to‑day activities of junior staff and provide effective guidance and supervision.
• Take responsibility for risk management within the service area and coordinate statistical collections in line with Trust policies.
• Ensure responsible management of Trust equipment and supplies, and participate in recruitment, appointment and induction of staff.
• Promote the benefits of the service to the community and work effectively as a team member, sharing skills and knowledge.
• Act as a role model to all staff, demonstrating healthy working relationships and open communication.
• Develop the Learning Disability service and promote evidence‑based practice.

Person Specification

Personal Attributes

• Enthusiastic, motivated, professional, resourceful, flexible and adaptable
• Able to self‑direct and have good time‑management skills
• Use tact/diplomacy and common sense
• Committed to team working and providing the best possible patient care
• Adapt to change and lead others as a positive change agent
• Act as a positive role model to other members of the team
• Provide leadership to the team and encourage reflection on practice
• Ability to travel around the Trust as appropriate to the role

Training

• Practice placement educators certificate (or to achieve within 12 months)
• Clinical supervisors training (or willingness to complete)
• Willingness to undertake post‑graduate training to further skills, knowledge and expertise relevant to clinical area
• Post‑graduate training relevant to mental health/learning disabilities

Physical Attributes

• Ability to undertake the duties and demands of the post. Satisfactory sickness record over the previous 2 years (subject to fairness and equality of opportunity).

Qualifications

• RNLD or BSc/BA, MA Occupational Therapy
• Additional post‑grad qualification in positive behaviour support at Diploma/Degree level
• HCPC State Registration / NMC registration
• Evidence of additional academic study at Diploma/Degree level
• Leadership / first line management certificate

Experience

• Substantial post‑registration experience working in learning disabilities
• Experience of working in a multidisciplinary team
• Supervision of staff and students
• Experience of a range of mental health/learning disabilities settings e.g. mental health positive behaviour support, Autism

Special Knowledge and Skills

• Specialist knowledge and application of assessments and interventions relevant to learning disabilities
• Extensive clinical practice skills including individual and group work
• Understanding of outcome measures
• Detailed knowledge of current legislation/guidance e.g. CPA Care Programme Approach, risk assessment and management
• Ability to work as part of an MDT and independently
• Analytical skills for professional and ethical issues
• Supervisory / appraisal skills
• Reflection and critical appraisal of own performance
• Organise and respond efficiently to complex information
• Build effective working relationships
• Detailed knowledge of clinical governance and its application
• Knowledge and understanding of cultural and diversity issues for the Learning Disability Community

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires a Disclosure and Barring Service check for any previous criminal convictions.

South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Trust

We encourage and welcome applications from all protected characteristic groups. We value diversity and want our workforce to be reflective of our communities.

We strongly discourage the use of AI technology to generate responses on NHS Job application forms and will conduct a thorough screening process before selecting candidates to progress to the next stage. If you are using AI to enhance your application, please disclose this in your NHS Jobs application form.