Neurodiversity Practitioner

Healthier South Wirral Pcn; Bromborough; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

Healthier South Wirral PCN in England is recruiting a Neurodiversity Practitioner to help develop an innovative primary care service supporting adults with neurodevelopmental conditions, including Autism.

You will review referrals, conduct needs-led assessments, provide education and practical strategies, and guide patients through their care journey with a person-centred approach.

Qualifications

• Experience of coaching, mentoring or structured supportive interventions.
• Experience maintaining clinical records and working autonomously.
• Experience in community health, education or third sector settings.
• Experience managing a caseload and care coordination.

Responsibilities

• Receive, screen, triage and stratify referrals within the autism and neurodevelopmental pathway.
• Conduct face-to-face and occasionally remote clinical appointments.
• Undertake comprehensive needs-led assessments and outline intervention options.
• Provide education, advice and guidance to support patients in understanding and managing needs.
• Manage a defined caseload and collaborate with other professionals, agencies and carers.
• Complete annual reviews under supervision and liaise with GPs and wider services.

Skills

Coaching

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Psychology, Health or Social Care

Job description

Job summary

Join Healthier South Wirral PCN as a Neurodiversity Practitioner and play a key role in developing an innovative primary care service supporting adults with neurodevelopmental conditions, including Autism.

This is an exciting opportunity to make a real difference by providing early support, practical guidance and person-centred care to patients who may be experiencing challenges or seeking assessment. Working as part of a forward-thinking multidisciplinary team, you will be the first point of contact for patients, help identify individual needs, support access to the right services, and contribute to ongoing Autism reviews and wellbeing checks.

If you are passionate about improving access, reducing health inequalities and helping people thrive, we would love to hear from you.

Main duties of the job

The Neurodiversity Practitioner will play a key role in supporting adults referred into the autism and neurodevelopmental pathway within primary care. The postholder will be responsible for reviewing and managing referrals, undertaking structured, needs-led assessments, and helping patients better understand their presentation and support needs in a holistic and person-centred way.

They will provide education, advice and practical strategies to support autistic adults in managing day-to-day challenges, while guiding them through their care journey from referral onwards. The role includes undertaking autism annual reviews under supervision, including physical health checks and discussion of ongoing needs, wellbeing, and support strategies.

The postholder will manage a defined caseload, working collaboratively with GPs, mental health services, social care and voluntary sector partners to ensure coordinated and consistent support. They will also contribute to clear and accurate clinical documentation, maintain up-to-date resources for patients and colleagues, and help ensure continuity across services.

A key aspect of the role is delivering safe, compassionate and strengths-based care, ensuring appropriate escalation, referral and investigation where required, while working within agreed clinical protocols and supervision arrangements.

About us

Healthier South Wirral PCN is a collaborative network of local GP practices working together to deliver high-quality, patient-centred care across our communities. Our multidisciplinary team brings together GPs, nurses, pharmacists, social prescribers, care coordinators and a growing ARRS workforce, all focused on improving access, outcomes and experience for our patients.

We pride ourselves on a supportive and inclusive team culture where staff are encouraged to develop their skills, share ideas and contribute to service innovation. The atmosphere is friendly, open and proactive, with a strong emphasis on teamwork, mutual respect and continuous improvement.

Our work ethic is centred on delivering safe, effective and compassionate care while also looking after the wellbeing of our staff. We understand the importance of work-life balance and provide a flexible, supportive environment where staff are trusted to work autonomously within their scope, with appropriate supervision and guidance.

Working within our PCN offers the opportunity to be part of an evolving and forward-thinking organisation, with access to training and development, cross-practice collaboration, and the chance to shape new models of care that make a real difference to patients lives.

Job responsibilities

As part of a primary care-based neurodevelopmental conditions service, the postholder will act as a key member of the multidisciplinary team supporting adults within the autism and neurodevelopmental pathway. They will be the first point of contact in primary care, offering advice and support to adults who may be experiencing challenges associated with neurodevelopmental conditions or who are seeking assessment and support.

The postholder will undertake needs-led stratification assessments to identify individual needs, supporting patients to access appropriate advice, guidance and education relating to autism and neurodevelopmental differences, and outlining possible intervention and support options. Under appropriate supervision, they will also undertake annual reviews, including physical health checks and discussions around ongoing needs, wellbeing and support strategies (training will be provided).

They will be responsible for completing accurate clinical and administrative records in line with service requirements.

• To receive, screen, triage, stratify and stream patient referrals within the autism and neurodevelopmental pathway
• To conduct face-to-face and occasionally remote clinical appointments
• To undertake comprehensive needs-led assessments in line with best practice and service models
• To provide evidence-based education, advice and guidance to support patients in understanding and managing their needs
• To manage a defined caseload of patients, working alongside other professionals, agencies and carers as required
• To undertake annual reviews under supervision, discussion of support needs, and liaison with GPs and wider services where appropriate
• To provide a holistic and empathetic approach to care, considering both physical and mental health needs, and ensuring appropriate signposting and referrals
• To complete clear, accurate and timely clinical records and documentation, including recommendations for ongoing support or referral
• To support and understand the patient journey from referral through assessment and ongoing care within the primary care service model
• To work collaboratively across general practice, PCN services and secondary care through effective communication with professionals
• To maintain and utilise up-to-date digital and web-based resources relevant to autism and neurodevelopmental conditions
• To remain up to date with current evidence, research and developments in autism, neurodiversity and mental health
• To work autonomously within agreed protocols and under clinical supervision
• To coordinate and arrange appropriate investigations, including consideration of wider physical health needs within the community
• To ensure all actions contribute to the delivery of a high-quality service

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

• Experience working directly with individuals with mental health, learning or behavioural needs
• Experience of coaching, mentoring or structured supportive interventions
• Experience of maintaining clinical records and working autonomously under supervision
• Experience working in a community health, education or third sector setting
• Experience of managing a caseload and care coordination

Desirable

• Experience or familiarity with Autism or neurodevelopmental conditions
• Experience using primary care systems (e.g. EMIS)
• Experience within an NHS or Primary Care Network environment

Knowledge and Skills

Essential

• Ability to work independently within defined policies and procedures, with clinical supervision from line management
• Ability to effectively engage with neurodiverse individuals, assess needs and risk, and support appropriate interventions and outcomes
• Strong coaching and communication skills to support understanding, motivation and collaborative decision-making
• Extensive knowledge and understanding of neurodevelopmental conditions
• Knowledge of common mental health conditions
• Confidence in managing sensitive or challenging conversations with patients
• Ability to produce clear clinical documentation, including appointment notes, data entry and correspondence
• High level verbal and written communication skills, including working in emotionally sensitive contexts
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to respond to changing and unexpected demands
• Ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary team
• Ability to work independently, prioritise workload and adapt to changing priorities
• Understanding of evidence-based practice and clinical governance
• Knowledge of general administrative processes
• Excellent IT skills, including Microsoft Office

Desirable

• Knowledge of administrative processes within a primary care setting
• Awareness of current NHS and wider health and social care policy and priorities

Qualifications

Essential

• A degree in Psychology, Health, Social Care or a related field, or equivalent experience supported by formal qualifications (minimum Level 3) and substantial experience in neurodevelopmental conditions, mental health, or primary care settings. Evidence of ongoing professional development relevant to the role.

Desirable

• Professional registration (e.g. NMC, HCPC, BACP or equivalent)

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.