Neurodevelopmental Practitioner

Oakdale Group

Oxford

Hybrid

GBP 40,000 - 56,000

Full time

2 days ago

Be an early applicant

Application generator

Get a reply from this employer — a resume and cover letter tailored to exactly what they’re hiring for.

Get past ATS filters

Benefits offered by this job

33 days leave

GP access

Discounted private assessments

DBS check-supported roles

Job summary

Oakdale is seeking a Neurodevelopmental Practitioner to deliver high-quality assessments for children, young people and adults across clinical pathways. The role involves autonomous practice within a MDT framework, with on-site observation days at our Oxford centre and hybrid working arrangements.

You will contribute to diagnostic formulations, maintain robust clinical governance, and participate in service improvement activities.

Qualifications

Minimum 1 year direct autonomous experience delivering neurodevelopmental assessments.
Experience in mental health/neurodevelopmental settings and robust clinical documentation.
Knowledge of neurodevelopmental conditions (Autism, ADHD) and assessment processes.
Ability to work within MDTs and governance frameworks.

Responsibilities

Carry out high-quality neurodevelopmental assessments for children, young people and adults.
Provide clear assessment outcomes and recommendations to clients and professionals.
Engage in MDT discussions to co-produce final diagnostic conclusions.
Maintain accurate clinical records and complete documentation within timescales.

Skills

Neurodevelopmental assessments

MDT collaboration

Clinical documentation

Education

NMC Registration (Nursing)

HCPC Registration

Social Work England Registration

Certification in ADOS-2/DIVA

Job description

Neurodevelopmental Practitioners - Transform Lives with Oakdale

At Oakdale, a leading private mental health service provider, our people are at the heart of everything we do. We’re more than a team – we’re a community of passionate, talented professionals committed to delivering excellence in mental health care, case management and service development

We believe in care that changes lives. For over 10 years, we’ve been delivering trusted, evidence-based therapies and assessments for children, young people, and adults. As a values-driven organisation, we work with the NHS, schools, local authorities, and private clients, always putting people first.

Now, we’re looking for a compassionate and skilled Neurodevelopmental Practitioner to join our supportive, forward-thinking team. If you’re passionate about clinical excellence, wellbeing, and making a genuine impact, we’d love to hear from you.

Location

Hybrid roles with the need to be on-site at our Oxford centre for direct observation days.

Hours

37.5 hours per week. Part time hours with a minimum of 15 hours per week will be considered.

Salary

£40,000 – £56,000 per annum FTE

Pay Reflects Where You're Starting From

From £40,000 for early-career ND practitioners
From £43,000 if you have certification in tools such as ADOS-2, ADI-R, DIVA or Young DIVA
Up to £56,000 for practitioners with further skills and certifications

The Role – What You’ll Do

To undertake high-quality neurodevelopmental assessments for children, young people and/or adults across the clinical pathways (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 postholder’s 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.

Key Responsibilities

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, utilising 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.
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
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.
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
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.

About You

We are looking to recruit ND Practitioners to work across all of our pathways and across all age ranges ( We will provide training to build your assessment certification and support you to broaden your experience and competency once you have gained additional certifications.
We offer a range of working arrangements including fully remote for those practitioners not within commuting distance of our centres.

Essential Qualifications & Professional Registration

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
Ability and willingness to undertake certification in neurodevelopmental assessment tools and measures (e.g., ADOS-2, DIVA, or Young DIVA).

Experience

Essential

Minimum of 1 year of direct, autonomous experience delivering neurodevelopmental assessments
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, ADI-R, DIVA, or Young DIVA).

Mobility & Flexibility

Essential

For practitioners within commuting distance, there will be on-site attendance required for direct observations.

Desirable

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

Why Join Oakdale?

33 days’ annual leave (including bank holidays), increasing with service
SimplyHealth: 24/7 GP access, counselling, physiotherapy, and more
Exclusive, heavily discounted rates for you and your family on private ADHD and autism neurodevelopmental assessments, through our own expert service.*
Fully funded flu vaccines and corporate eye care vouchers
Employee Wellbeing Initiative with trained mental health champions
Smart Pension & Rewards: plan for your future with discounts and cashback
Enhanced Occupational Sick Pay
Cycle to Work & EV Car and Technology Salary Sacrifice schemes
Employee discount scheme
Protected CPD days, annual away days, and high-quality training
Professional registration fees covered
Opportunities to influence service improvement and innovation
Laptop, monitor, keyboard, and any additional equipment you need to do your best work
Discounts apply to dependents living within the same household.