Neurodiversity Mental Health Practitioner

NHS; Plymouth; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A mental health service provider in Plymouth seeks a professional for the CAMHS Neurodiversity Service. You will provide assessments and interventions for children with mental health needs, collaborate with multi-agency teams, and ensure the highest standards of care. Essential qualifications include a degree in Nursing, Health, or Social Care, along with professional registration. The role requires strong communication and assessment skills, along with a commitment to professional development. Applications from those requiring sponsorship are welcomed.

Qualifications

• Post-registration experience with people who have mental health difficulties.
• Experience within multi-agency safeguarding systems.
• Evidence of continued professional development relevant to this field.

Responsibilities

• Provide clinical input to the team.
• Assess and manage risk and complex behaviour issues.
• Administer recognised assessments for diagnostic evidence.

Skills

Knowledge of relevant legislation for children

Strong communication skills

Competent assessment and intervention skills

Education

Degree in Nursing, Health or Social Care

Current professional registration

Job description

Job Summary

The CAMHS Neurodiversity Service is an established pathway within Plymouth CAMHS, providing assessment and intervention for children and young people aged 5–18 with mental health needs and a neurodiversity diagnosis (ADHD, Autism, Learning disability, Tic or Tourette). It includes an "support whilst you wait" offer and is staffed by a friendly, enthusiastic, multi‑professional team delivering holistic assessments, support and interventions.

Livewell Southwest staff are expected to be able and willing to work across a 7‑day service.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide clinical input to the team, delivering practice within best evidence and the highest standard, including individual work, group work and consultation.
• Assess and reassess risk and complex behaviour issues, communicate concerns accurately and manage risk, including child protection in health records.
• Administer recognised assessments for diagnostic evidence and maintain comprehensive clinical records.
• Make autonomous decisions about treatment, discharge timing and liaise with children, young people, families/carers and multi‑agency key partners.
• Maintain high standards in recording observations, actions and risk management, and circulate summaries to General Practitioners.
• Contribute to the CAMHS duty rota and participate in multi‑agency meetings (CAF, child protection case conferences, education reviews) to provide a mental health perspective.
• Co‑ordinate collaboration between agencies and attend multi‑agency meetings to support service integration.
• Provide line management, supervision and training to junior/staff of lower banding within the post holder’s sphere of knowledge.
• Engage in continuous professional development and, where appropriate, training of other colleagues and students in areas of own expertise.
• Oversee waiting lists, manage referrals, and support an MDT in delivering the service’s assessments and interventions.

Experience (Essential)

• Working in a multi‑agency and/or multi‑disciplinary context.
• Post‑registration experience with people who have mental health difficulties.
• Assessment experience, including risk, care planning, intervention and evaluation.
• Experience within multi‑agency safeguarding systems (child protection conferences, child in need meetings).
• Providing supervision, assessment, and mentoring.
• Assessing capacity.

Experience (Desirable)

• Service evaluation experience.
• Delivery of training.
• Experience using total communication techniques to aid effective communication.

Qualifications (Essential)

• Degree in Nursing, Health or Social Care.
• Current professional registration.
• Evidence of continued professional development relevant to this field of care.

Qualifications (Desirable)

• Post‑graduate training in a relevant topic.

Knowledge and Skills (Essential)

• Knowledge of relevant legislation and documents for children (Children Act 2004, Child Protection, National Service Framework, Every Child Matters, Learning Disability legislation, Aiming High for Disabled Children, Valuing People, Mansell report, Mental Capacity Act).
• Knowledge of mental health problems and disorders affecting children and young people in care.
• Understanding of child development theories and their application to practice.
• Well‑established case management and organisational skills with the ability to prioritise.
• Strong communication skills, both oral and written.
• Competent assessment and intervention skills.

Knowledge and Skills (Desirable)

• Knowledge of different models of therapy (Applied Behaviour Analysis, CBT, Psychodynamic psychotherapy, solution‑focused therapy etc.).

Additional Information

The post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975; Disclosure and Barring Service checks will be required. Applications requiring Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcomed and will be considered alongside other applications.

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. Further information can be found on the NHS Careers website.

Employer Details

Livewell Southwest

200 Mount Gould Road, Mount Gould, Plymouth, Devon, PL4 7PY

Website: https://www.livewellsouthwest.co.uk/