LDA Outreach Assistant Practitioner

Devon Partnership Trust; Dawlish Warren; Remote; GBP 24,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

Devon Partnership NHS Trust is seeking motivated support workers, occupational therapy technical instructors and assistant psychologists to join the LDA Outreach Team across Devon. The Band 4 role involves working with learning disability and autism services and The Brook inpatient unit, with a focus on triaging, assessing and delivering complex care packages.

Applicants should have Foundation Degree in Health and Social Care or Diploma Level 5, solid safeguarding knowledge, and the ability to

Qualifications

• Clinical experience with learning disabilities and/or autistic people.
• Knowledge of safeguarding, Mental Health Act and Mental Capacity Act.
• Strong interpersonal, communication and risk assessment skills.
• Ability to work autonomously and in a multidisciplinary team.

Responsibilities

• Triaging, assessing, planning and delivering complex care packages.
• Liaising with The Brook inpatients and partner agencies to support admissions and discharges.
• Promoting evidence-based, high-quality care and safety in line with Trust values.

Skills

Clinical experience with learning dis.

Autism experience

Risk assessment

Interpersonal communication

Safeguarding knowledge

Education

Foundation Degree in Health and Social Care

Diploma Level 5

Job description

We are seeking highly motivated, innovative, compassionate and clinically-experienced support workers, occupation therapy technical instructors and assistant psychologists to join the newly established, Devon-wide, Learning Disability and Autism (LDA) Outreach Team at Devon Partnership NHS Trust.

The Band 4 role will involve working in collaboration with other LDA Outreach colleagues, community learning disability and autism colleagues in addition to colleagues from 'The Brook' our 10-bedded Learning Disability and Autism inpatient unit.

You should have clinical experience of working with people with learning disabilities and/or autistic people and/or those experiencing mental health difficulties. We are seeking colleagues who are adept at working autonomously as well as part of the multidisciplinary team and be able to prioritise and manage workload. You should also have knowledge and experience of safeguarding, the Mental Health Act and Mental Capacity Act, in addition to enhanced interpersonal, communication, formulation and risk assessment skills.

This role is suitable for applicants who already hold a Foundation Degree in Health and Social Care or qualification to diploma level 5.

Interviews will be held 3rd December 2026.

Main duties of the job

We welcome applications from experienced and compassionate staff who candemonstrate and promote effective and high-quality care to the highestevidence-based standards.

A central part of the roleinvolves working alongside the Band 7 Outreach Practitioners to support with thetriaging, assessing, planning, formulation and delivering of complex care packages toadmission-vulnerable service users across Devon. We will also offer support for those discharged fromThe Brook, whilst ensuring proactive liaison with other partner agencies,families and care providers at every stage of care.

Devon Partnership NHS Trust is looking to become a recognised centre ofexcellence and expertise, the successful applicant should hold the Trustsvalues and have the competencies and confidence to inspire and involve staff tohelp reach this target over the next five years.

About us

We provide mental health, learning disability and neurodiversity services, as well as a range of specialist & secure services for the wider south west region & nationally. We are passionate about promoting good mental health & wellbeing. We strive to use the expertise & resources within our organisation, and through our partnerships, to deliver high quality services that are safe & focused on people's recovery.

We are committed to developing a culture of coproduction, involving patients, families & carers in everything we do

Our values

We not only recruit based on qualifications & experience - we recruit individuals who possess & demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. These include such attributes as showing a commitment to quality of care, improving lives of others, giving respect, dignity & compassion. We can bring those values to life in our everyday tasks by giving a smile; making time for people; challenging ourselves & others, & being open to new ideas.

We are committed to being an inclusive employer & applications are encouraged & welcomed from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics as governed by the Equality Act 2010. Part time & flexible working applications will be considered & supported, where possible. We particularly encourage applicants with lived experience of mental health conditions, neurodiversity or learning disabilities. We are a Disability Confident Leader.

Job responsibilities

Please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification which will provide further information on this role.

Person Specification

Planning and organisational skills

• Organisation and time management skills.
• Ability to work independently within defined procedures and care pathways

Experience

• Previous experience working in a range of different behaviour settings for people with Learning Disabilities and/or autistic people.
• Experience of working with people who may present with distressed behaviours that present challenges to other services.

Qualifications

• Foundation Degree in Health and Social Care or qualification to diploma level or equivalent.

Communication and working relationship skills

• Excellent verbal, nonverbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to communicate sensitive information to people with Learning Disabilities and/or autism, carers and colleagues.
• An ability to make and sustain professional therapeutic relationships.
• Ability to work with people in a group or on an individual basis.
• Able to work in a team effectively and collaboratively
• Ability to use a variety of Communication systems.
• Ability to put information into easy and accessible format.

Physical and other skills

• This post requires the post holder to undertake and comply with the Trusts policies on manual handling and Breakaway/restraint core training if relevant to their clinical area of work.
• Ability to accept and use supervision appropriately and effectively.
• Able to work changing shift patterns as required.
• To demonstrate empathy, compassion and patience towards people with learning disabilities and/or autism.
• To remain professional at all times including challenging situations.
• Able to travel and work across the area covered by the trust as requested by Line Manager.

Knowledge

• Knowledge of learning disabilities and neurodiversity and good practice in terms of supporting and working with people with Learning Disabilities and/or autism and their carers.
• Knowledge of a range of Mental Health presentations and medications for people with a Learning Disability and/or autism.
• An understanding of physical health problems which can impact on a persons mental health and monitoring of the same.
• Working knowledge of Valuing People and other relevant Learning Disability/Autism documents and policies.
• Knowledge of safeguarding principles and appropriate action to take.
• A basic understanding of the law in relation to consent and capacity.
• Basic IT skills.
• Ability to relate to, and communicate with people who have a Learning Disability and/or autism.
• Understanding of Recovery principles and Positive Behaviour Support Planning.
• An understanding of Care Coordination/ Management process.
• Awareness of the Code of conduct for Health Care Support Workers /Adult Social Care Workers in England.

Analytical and Judgement Skills

• Ability to evaluate complex information to assist with decision making.
• An awareness of own scope of practice and ability to make appropriate judgements on when to refer issues to a registered practitioner.
• Ability to assess risk (to self, service user and/or family/carers) and to take appropriate action.

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.