Safeguarding: Learning Disability and Autism Nurse/Practitioner

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust; Manchester; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider is seeking a Specialist Learning Disability and Autism Practitioner in Manchester. The role involves improving care quality for patients with learning disabilities and autism, supporting staff training and compliance with policies, and collaborating with multi-agency colleagues. Ideal candidates will be registered professionals with experience addressing the needs of these patients. Competitive salary of £38,682 to £46,580 per annum pro rata, alongside a supportive and diverse working environment.

Qualifications

• Current relevant professional registration required.
• Experience of working within an MDT setting is essential.
• Knowledge of legislation relating to learning disabilities and autism.

Responsibilities

• Advise and support staff with patients who have learning disabilities.
• Complete Quality Care Checklists and audits for adherence to policies.
• Support service improvement initiatives for patients.

Skills

Excellent verbal and written skills

Strong analytical skills

Ability to work under pressure

Experience in developing and delivering training

Education

Qualified Learning Disability Nurse or other registered healthcare professional

Educated to degree level

Job description

Safeguarding: Learning Disability and Autism Nurse/Practitioner

The closing date is 12 January 2026

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) is looking for a Specialist Learning Disability and Autism Practitioner.

The successful candidate will work within our Safeguarding team as a visible and operational specialist practitioner, improving the quality of care and experience received by people who have a learning disability and/or autism.

Ensure appropriate and timely reasonable adjustments are made to the care pathways for individuals who are identified as having a diagnosis of a learning disability and/or autism.

Act as an expert resource to others, providing specialist advice and support to hospital staff.

Develop effective and collaborative relationships with multi‑agency colleagues to promote the purpose of the MFT Strategy for improving care and experience for people living with a learning disability and/or autism who access the Trust's services.

Support service improvement initiatives directly relating to patients with a learning disability and/or autism.

Main duties of the job

The practitioner will advise and offer support to staff across the Trust footprint supporting patients with a learning disability and/or autism within the acute setting.

Complete Quality Care Checklists, audit staff adherence to the MFT Learning Disability and Autism policy and strategy.

Deliver Learning Disability and Autism Training, and give specialist advice to Trust staff of all grades on their legal duty to apply the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 in their day‑to‑day practice.

Be highly visible in clinical areas, ensuring that team standards are maintained, and staff are supported to deliver excellent care for patients with learning disability and/or autism within the Trust.

Support staff with patients accessing hospitals through the Emergency and Planned pathways.

Contribute to the reporting and learning of the lives and deaths of patients with learning disabilities and autism (LeDeR), identifying improvements and sharing good practices.

Work alongside the Integrated Safeguarding Team when safeguarding concerns are raised involving our vulnerable patient group.

About us

Join Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) and become part of a 30,000‑plus strong team, delivering exceptional care to over one million people every year. As the largest provider of specialist services, our Oxford Road Campus in Manchester – the largest health academic campus in Europe – is forward‑thinking, committed to clinical excellence and driven to deliver innovation and continuous improvement. Whether you're beginning your career or taking the next step, MFT offers a stimulating and supportive environment where your contribution truly matters. Our Hive Electronic Patient Record system enables safer, smarter, and more efficient ways of working, empowering you to deliver the best possible outcomes for our patients.

You’ll be part of a collaborative, multidisciplinary community, working alongside professionals from a wide range of clinical backgrounds. Together we push boundaries, share knowledge and deliver care that transforms lives. At MFT, you’ll find a workplace where everyone is respected, supported and encouraged to thrive. We offer clear clinical pathways for professional development, helping you grow your skills and achieve your ambitions. Your journey at MFT is more than a job – it's an opportunity to make a lasting impact. We’ll support you as you shape the future of healthcare, one patient at a time.

Job responsibilities

To find out more about the key responsibilities and the specific skills and experience you’ll need, refer to the Job Description & Person Specification attachments under the Supporting Documents heading. The Candidate Essentials Guide, which sits with the Job Description and Person Specification, provides details about the Trust, our benefits and outlines how we care for you as you care for others. Most importantly, it contains critical information you need to be aware of before you submit an application form.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in your application

Here at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, we are proud to be ALL HERE FOR YOU for our patients, our communities, and each other.

As part of our commitment to fairness, transparency and personal integrity, we ask all applicants to ensure that their job applications reflect their own experiences, skills and motivations. While AI tools can support spelling, grammar or formatting, we expect the content of your application – especially personal statements and responses to role‑specific questions – to be written by you. This helps us get to know the real you and ensures that our recruitment process remains equitable and meaningful for everyone.

Thank you for helping us uphold the values that make our Trust a place where people belong, grow and thrive. We look forward to receiving your application.

Diversity Matters

MFT is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating and valuing diversity and eliminating any form of unlawful discrimination across our workforce, ensuring our people are truly representative of the communities we serve. All individuals, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation, are encouraged to apply for this post. As an inclusive employer, we are here to support you. If you have any special requirements to help you with your application, please contact the manager named below.

Person Specification

Registered professionals

• Current relevant professional registration

Qualifications

• A qualified Learning Disability Nurse or other registered nurse, physiotherapist, occupational therapist, or social worker with significant experience working with people with learning disabilities and/or autism
• Educated to degree level
• Evidence of working with adults or children with learning disabilities and/or autism

Knowledge and experience

• Experience of working within an MDT setting
• Working knowledge of legislation and policy relating to people with learning disabilities and autism (e.g. Mental Capacity Act, Mental Health Act, DoLs, Equality Act).
• Evidence of team working.
• Knowledge of tools such as behavioural recording sheets, direct observations, pain and health screening tools to help analyse situations and make formulations and recommendations.
• Post‑registration experience working with people with learning disabilities and/or autism.
• Additional training in Autism or Positive Behaviour Support.

Skills

• Excellent verbal and written skills.
• Confident and professional manner.
• Strong analytical skills.
• Ability to work under pressure, prioritise work flexibly and meet tight deadlines.
• Experience in developing and delivering training.

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.

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust

£38,682 to £46,580 per annum, pro rata