Learning Disabilities and Autism Keyworker Link LDA

NHS; Taunton; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job description

Learning Disabilities and Autism Keyworker Link LDA

Are you an Occupational Therapist, Speech and Language Therapist, Nurse (RMN,RNLD) or Social worker looking for an exciting challenge in a new and dynamic service supporting children and young people? If so, come and join our skilled and enthusiastic service based in Somerset.

This is a great opportunity to further develop your specialist skills whilst working closely with wider mental health, education and social care services. You will be part of a passionate and skilled MDT that works hard to provide the right support at the right time for autistic children and young people and children with learning disabilities.

We are committed to continuing professional development. Regular team meetings and supportive clinical and management supervision (including opportunities for peer supervision alongside colleagues from across the Trust) ensures a high quality of service is provided. An enthusiastic approach and ability to work independently and within a multidisciplinary team is required for this role.

Main duties of the job

Our multidisciplinary team work to support children and young people (and their families) who might be at risk of mental health hospital admission or who might be at risk of being placed in a 52 week residential education provision. We are looking for a candidate who is able to support families, schools and wider networks in identifying, understanding and supporting a young person's holistic support needs. The right candidate will also be able to advocate for the needs of the young people they are working with and represent their voice/views in wide multi-agency meetings.

The role will provide assessments around core needs and provide interventions where appropriate.

About us

At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:

• Flexible working options to help you balance work and life
• NHS pension scheme for long-term financial security
• Generous annual leave allowance to recharge and relax
• A strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potential

Additionally, you'll gain access to our Blue Light Card, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work. We are proud to foster a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.

Why Somerset? Somerset offers the perfect blend of idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty, and breathtaking coastlines, with vibrant cities like Bristol, Bath, and Exeter just a short drive away - and only two hours to London. The region is home to excellent educational facilities, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future.

Somerset truly has it all - the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.

Job responsibilities

You will be responsible for delivering a high quality, pro-active and evidence-based occupational therapy service for children, young people and their families experiencing mental health or behavioural difficulties in the context of learning disabilities and/or autism. Link LD/A aspires to offer a responsive, compassionate, and effective neurodivergence-informed approach to working with young people and their systems. You will be key to supporting and further developing this vision, alongside colleagues.

You will be required to apply your core profession within a multi-disciplinary format, providing evidence-based specialist assessment and interventions focused on individuals, families and wider systems. This includes, but is not limited to, holistic assessment and intervention as well as Positive Behavioural Support. Additional training and CPD is actively encouraged by the service.

There is also an expectation that you will co-facilitate consultations with network colleagues from across, health, education and social care sectors alongside multidisciplinary team colleagues. In addition, you will be key in supporting and developing the multidisciplinary teams understanding and use of occupational therapy-informed ideas and models within clinical work.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Professional registration
• Post graduate training in one/some of the following areas: Positive Behaviour Support, Sensory Attachment, SCERTS, Makaton

Experience

• Experience of working with children and young people with LD and/or autistic young people
• Experience of carrying out supervision to junior staff, coordinating the care of clients and delegating tasks.
• Experience of contributing towards service development

Additional Criteria

• Ability to demonstrate diagnostic knowledge and application to planning intervention.
• Sound understanding of national policies and procedures relevant to LD and autism.

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.