Learning Disability and Autism Programme/MH S117 Lead Practitioner

NHS Surrey and Sussex ICB; Knaphill; On-site; GBP 49,000 - 57,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

NHS employee benefits

Job summary

NHS Surrey and Sussex ICB is seeking a part-time Lead Practitioner (Band 7) for Learning Disability and Autism within the MH S117 programme. The role involves chairing CTRs for inpatients and community cases, coordinating emergency protocol meetings, and supporting complex discharge planning for adults with learning disabilities and autism.

The post requires leadership, strategic coordination, and strong collaboration with local authorities, care providers and other stakeholders to improve care

Qualifications

• Educated to degree level in relevant subject or equivalent level qualification.
• Evidence of continued professional development.
• Experience of working with people with learning disability, autism, mental health and complex needs.

Responsibilities

• Chair and lead Care and Treatment Reviews (CTR) for Adults with LD and/or Autism.
• Facilitate CTRs in community and inpatient units following NHSE protocol.
• Coordinate Local Area Emergency Protocol Meetings.
• Support discharges from Mental Health Inpatient Units for LD/autism and MH needs.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Planning

Analytical

Team management

Education

Degree or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office

Microsoft Teams

Job description

Main area Nursing and Midwifery Grade NHS AfC: Band 7 Contract Permanent: 15 hours per week -over 2 or 3 days Hours Part time - 16 hours per week Job ref 256-SH-8003907-4-1

Employer NHS Surrey and Sussex ICB Employer type NHS Site Duke Street Town Surrey Salary £49,387 - £56,515 per annum pro rata Salary period Yearly Closing 05/10/2026 23:59

Learning Disability and Autism Programme/MH S117 Lead Practitioner

NHS AfC: Band 7

Job overview

The key responsibilities of the postholder are to:

• Participate in, chair and be the identified team lead for Care and Treatment Reviews (CTR) and Inpatient reviews for Adults with LD and/ or Autism who are currently inpatients in a Mental Health inpatient bed.
• Facilitate and Chair Care and Treatment Reviews of people in the community and in inpatient units following NHSE protocol.
• Triage and coordinate/ Chair Local Area Emergency Protocol Meetings.
• Support discharges from Mental Health Inpatient Units, which provides care for people with learning disability, autism and Mental Health illness.

This is a clinical role of 15 hours per week worked over 2 or 3 days.

Main duties of the job

• Work in partnership with specialist commissioning and local authorities to plan and address transition issues and local needs
• Support the LDA/MHS117 Team Manager in coordinating, monitoring and gathering data on admission avoidance strategies.
• Work in partnership with key stakeholders including Local Authority Social care departments, service users, carers, third sector and providers to identify gaps and priorities in relation to learning disability and MH service provision
• Work with key colleagues and stakeholders on the development of full care pathways for the relevant care groups, from primary care and community levels, with the development of service specifications for the services concerned
• Participate in the support of enquiries by the general public, this includes complaints, subject access requests and Freedom of Information requests
• To be aware of effective and efficient approaches to treatment, challenging accepted practice, and propose alternatives where appropriate.
• Participate in training and development to ensure continuing professional development.
• Maintain databases and patient record systems including Assuring Transformation.
• Collate, analysis and summarise key data for key projects, meetings and boards within the ICB and externally.
• Participate and lead in training, education and advice to internal and external partners.

Working for our organisation

The Integrated Care Board (ICB) has the responsibility to decide what health services are needed in Surrey and Sussex and set out how they'll be provided, making sure hospitals, primary care, and other services work together, rather than in silos, for the benefit of everyone in the community. NHS Surrey Heartlands and Sussex ICB achieve this by working in partnership with local health and care organisations, staff, patients, carers, families and the public, to support three million people across Surrey and Sussex to live healthier lives.

Together, we have an ambitious vision for improving health and care services across Surrey and Sussex. We are working to:

• Improve health and care outcomes for everyone, with a focus on preventing ill health and proactive care.
• Tackle inequalities to reduce unfair gaps in access, experience, and outcomes.
• Get better value from our services by enhancing productivity and value for money.
• Support local communities to grow and thrive through social and economic development.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The post holder may be required to carry out other duties as required, in line with their skills and experience., for full details please see job description attached.

Person specification

Knowledge, Training and Experience

• Educated to degree level in relevant subject or equivalent level qualification or significant experience of working at a similar level in specialist area
• Evidence of continued professional development
• Experience of working with people with learning disability, autism, mental health and complex needs
• Experience and in-depth knowledge of Mental Capacity Act (2005), Best Interest and Least Restrictive Practice
• Experience of managing risks and reporting
• Understanding of the public sector
• Demonstrated experience in a Health or Social Care environment.
• Good understanding of the structure of both the NHS and Social Care, including commissioning and planning processes
• Knowledge of MHA s117, Mental Capacity Act and Care and Treatment reviews
• Have knowledge and understanding of key legislation for people with LD and Autism and current priorities for this cohort
• Experience of managing and/ or mentoring people in teams

Analytical

• Ability to analyse & evaluate complex issues where information may be conflicting, using experience to make recommendations and elevate where appropriate
• Demonstrated capability to act upon incomplete information, using experience to support decision making
• Experience of setting up and implementing internal processes and procedures
• Demonstrate problem solving skills with an ability to respond to sudden & unexpected demands

Communication & Relationship Skills

• Able to build purposeful relationships with external partners, and independent practitioners
• Verbal reasoning and influencing skills
• Ability to work effectively, with good leadership and management skills, in an environment of multiple stakeholders and services
• Effective communication and presentation skills, able to communicate concepts to a wide range of audiences, influencing people to support service changes, including presentations and meetings
• Establishing and maintaining credibility and effective partnership working with key stakeholders
• Experience of managing and motivating a team and reviewing performance of the individuals

Planning Skills

• Demonstrated capability to plan over short, medium and long-term timeframes and adjust plans and resource requirements accordingly and in response to fluctuating demands
• Must be able to prioritise own work effectively and be able to direct activities of others
• Able to work flexibly with a level of autonomy

Physical Skills

• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office with intermediate keyboard skills
• Ability to utilise virtual technology (Microsoft TEAMs) and AI where appropriate

Equality and Diversity

• Understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships

Autonomy

• Demonstrated capabilities to manage own workload and make informed decisions in the absence of required information, working to tight and often changing timescales

Other

• An ability to maintain confidentiality and trust
• Used to working in a busy environment
• Adaptability, flexibility and ability to cope with uncertainty and change
• Commitment to continuing professional development
• Professional calm and efficient manner
• Demonstrate a strong desire to improve performance and make a difference by focusing on goals
• Experience of managing a team without direct line management
• Ability to demonstrate the NHS and 'ICS' values and behaviours in all aspects of work and interactions with colleagues, stakeholders, patients and service users.
• Full driving licence

We are passionate about creating an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity. We know through experience that different ideas, perspectives and backgrounds create a stronger and more creative work environment that delivers better patient outcomes. We welcome all applications, especially those from underrepresented communities, including people with a disability, and those from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds.

We have policies and procedures in place to ensure that all applicants are treated fairly and consistently at every stage of the recruitment process, including the consideration of reasonable adjustments for people who have a disability.

As part of the organisation’s commitment to achieving equality of opportunity for all staff, NHS Surrey and Sussex ICB will consider all requests for flexible working on hiring. For most roles, the following types of flexibility are usually possible: flexible hours, compressed hours, part-time hours and/or job-sharing, and homeworking.

Many of our staff work flexibly in many different ways. Please talk to us at interview about any flexible working arrangements you would prefer or require. While we may not be able to fully accommodate all requests, such requests will not be referenced during the interview scoring process, and we will fully consider and try to accommodate them for successful applicants.

In accordance with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, NHS Surrey and Sussex ICB will not discriminate against or dismiss the applications of candidates with spent convictions for posts which are not exempt from this legislation.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.