Nd Practitioner (Early Years Pathway)

Oakdale Centre Cic; Ledston; On-site; GBP 39,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Oakdale Centre CIC in Horsforth is seeking an ND Practitioner (Early Years Pathway) to undertake high-quality neurodevelopmental assessments for children, young people and/or adults. The role is based at our Horsforth site with a full-time 37.5-hour week (part-time considered) and salary £39,474 to £56,000 depending on experience.

You will work under supervision initially, progress through our Clinical Development Framework, contribute to MDT discussions, maintain robust documentation, and

Qualifications

• Experience in mental health or neurodevelopmental settings.
• Ability to produce high-quality clinical documentation.
• Experience operating within safeguarding and risk management.
• Experience working within multidisciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Undertake comprehensive neurodevelopmental assessments in line with Oakdale pathways.
• Participate actively in MDT discussions and co-produce diagnostic conclusions.
• Maintain accurate, contemporaneous clinical records and reports.
• Manage caseloads and ensure timely service delivery.
• Identify safeguarding concerns and escalate per policy.

Skills

Neurodevelopmental knowledge

Communication skills

Clinical documentation

MDT collaboration

Digital systems

Travel between centres

Education

Professional registration (NMC/HCPC/SWE)

Job description

Job summary

ND Practitioner (Early Years Pathway)

Location: Horsforth

Hours: 37.5 per week however part time hours will be considered (minimum 3 days per week, 22.5 hours)

Salary: £39,474 - £56,000 depending on experience

About us

Oakdale was established nearly twenty-five years ago and is highly regarded as a professional therapy provider. We are a not-for-profit community-based organisation and our team is united by a commitment to provide flexible, bespoke, evidence-based, and high-quality clinical services to meet the particular needs of each of our clients as well as the requirements of commissioners for an appropriate, collaborative, value-for-money service.

The Oakdale Group provides a wide range of specialist assessments, including for autism, ADHD, and developmental trauma. Oakdale also provides a wide range of psychological therapies for children, young people, and adults. Many of our services are commissioned by the NHS, Local Authorities, and schools, and include services for NHS staff. Others are accessed by members of the public who pay for them privately, through medical insurance,or through our charitable arm.

Main duties of the job

Role Purpose

To undertake high-quality neurodevelopmental assessments for children, young people and/or adults. Depending on the specific clinical pathway (e.g, ADHD vs. Autism/combined assessments), the postholder will formulate clinical outcomes either as an autonomous single clinician or collaboratively as part of a Multidisciplinary Team (MDT).

The postholder will work in accordance with professional standards, Oakdale policies, and service requirements, supporting the safe, effective, and efficient delivery of neurodevelopmental services. Clinical duties and the level of independent practice permitted are strictly governed by the postholders formal progression and sign-off through the Oakdale Clinical Development Framework, working under direct clinical supervision until independent competency has been successfully demonstrated and documented.

Job responsibilities

Key Responsibilities

1. Clinical Practice & Assessment

• Undertake comprehensive neurodevelopmental assessments in accordance with Oakdale pathways, professional standards and national clinical guidelines (e.g., NICE)
• Conduct developmental history interviews, direct observations and other assessment activities appropriate to professional background, training and documented competency level.
• Gather, analyse, and integrate multi-source information to form robust clinical formulations and support diagnostic decision-making.
• Formulate diagnostic outcomes and clinical conclusions independently when operating on single-clinician assessment pathways (e.g., ADHD), ensuring practice aligns with professional guidelines and formal sign-off against the internal framework
• Participate actively in multidisciplinary (MDT) discussions and panel formulations to co-produce final diagnostic conclusions, utilizing the oversight and support of senior clinicians where required.
• Utilise and oversee service-approved technology solutions (including dictation, transcription, and automated documentation systems) to enhance pathway efficiency, maintaining ultimate clinical accountability for decision-making and reviewing, quality-checking, and professionally signing off the clinical accuracy of all final outputs.
• Communicate assessment outcomes and recommendations clearly, professionally and compassionately to clients, families and external professionals.

2. Clinical Governance, Quality & Documentation

• Maintain accurate, contemporaneous and professional clinical records in accordance with organisational and professional regulatory standards.
• Complete clinical documentation, reports, risk assessments and administrative tasks within agreed timescales.
• Demonstrate clear clinical reasoning and evidence-based decision-making that meets established quality assurance standards
• Participate actively in clinical audits, quality assurance processes, and service improvement initiatives
• Work strictly within professional scope of practice, maintaining a comprehensive awareness of relevant healthcare legislation, safeguarding frameworks, and professional guidance, seeking support where required.
• Identify, assess and appropriately manage safeguarding concerns and clinical risks, escalating concerns promptly in accordance with Oakdale policies and procedures

3. Multidisciplinary Team Working & Communication

• Participate actively in multidisciplinary discussions, panels and decision-making processes.
• Build and maintain highly effective, collaborative, and professional working relationships across the organisation and with external stakeholders.
• Engage proactively with organisational communications and professional directives.

4. Organisation & Service Delivery

• Manage individual workloads and caseloads efficiently to optimise pathway flow, service delivery requirements, and agreed productivity expectations.
• Proactively monitor capacity and elevate operational barriers, constraints, or service risks to management in a timely manner.
• Demonstrate flexibility regarding working practices, designated clinical locations, and evolving service priorities

5. Professional Development & Reflective Practice

• Maintain active, professional registration and comply fully with the codes of conduct of the relevant regulatory body.
• Take personal responsibility for ongoing professional development, lifelong learning, and maintaining an up-to-date log of clinical competencies
• Attend and actively participate in supervision, training, reflective practice, and competency development activities, and demonstrate learning through application of feedback.
• Contribute positively to team development, peer learning, and service improvement initiatives.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

• Experience working within a mental health, neurodevelopmental, neurodiversity-focused, or relevant clinical setting.
• Experience producing high-quality, comprehensive clinical documentation and robust multi-source formulations to a professional standard.
• Experience working collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams, contributing to clinical formulations and shared decision-making.
• Experience operating within safeguarding, risk management, and professional clinical governance frameworks.

Desirable

• Direct, autonomous experience delivering neurodevelopmental assessments with children, young people, and/or adults across either single-clinician or MDT pathways

Knowledge & Skills

Essential

• Knowledge of neurodevelopmental conditions (e.g., Autism, ADHD) and a clear understanding of the assessment process.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to convey sensitive information and build professional relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders.
• Strong organisational, prioritisation, and time-management skills, with a track record of meeting clinical and operational deadlines.
• Proficiency in the use of digital systems and technology, including electronic patient records

Desirable

• Direct competency or certification in neurodevelopmental assessment tools and measures (e.g, ADOS-2, SCQ, ADI-R, DIVA, or Young DIVA).

Mobility & Flexibility

Essential

• Ability and willingness to travel between designated Oakdale centres as required by service needs.

Desirable

• Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle for work purposes

Qualifications

Essential

• Core professional qualification and current, active registration with one of the following regulatory bodies:
• NMC: Nursing
• HCPC: Speech & Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy, or Clinical/Forensic/Counselling Psychology
• Social Work England: Social Work

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.

Applicants must have current UK professional registration.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).