Specialist Autism Practitioner

Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust; Milton Keynes; On-site; GBP 47,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare organization in Milton Keynes is seeking an experienced Specialist Autism Practitioner to support individuals with Autism within the Community Mental Health Hub. The role involves both clinical responsibilities and opportunities for service development. Ideal candidates will have a professional registration, significant experience in mental health, and excellent interpersonal skills. This position offers a competitive salary and the chance to contribute to meaningful healthcare initiatives.

Qualifications

• Professional Registration with governing body (e.g., Nurse, Social Worker, Occupational Therapist).
• Evidence of post-registration training.
• Experience of multi-agency working.

Responsibilities

• Support the Transforming Care work in the Milton Keynes locality area.
• Deliver individual and group interventions for service users.
• Participate in service development relating to care for Autistic people.

Skills

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

Ability to manage competing priorities

Ability to form excellent working relationships

Education

Degree level or equivalent supplemented by specialist qualification

Professional Registration with governing body (e.g., Nurse, Social Worker, Occupational Therapist)

Job description

Go back Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust

Specialist Autism Practitioner

The closing date is 16 October 2025

We are delighted to advertise an exciting opportunity for an experienced Mental Health Nurse/Social Worker/Occupational Therapist, to work within the Community Mental Health Hub and support the Transforming Care work progressing in the Milton Keynes locality area.

Main duties of the job

Previous experience working with Autistic people is a key requirement of the role, in addition to experience working in community mental health services.

You will need to demonstrate core skills in Key working in addition to, proven skills gained working in Mental Health practice, including with care planning and risk assessment, with knowledge of doing so utilising the DIALOG+ approach.

Knowledge of local and national initiatives relating to the Transforming Care Programme, is a key requirement of this job. Additionally, knowledge and understanding of the Mental Capacity Act, the Mental Health Act, the Care Act and the Autism Act are also required.

There will be opportunities for you to develop and deliver both one to one and group interventions for service users, as well as training and support to other practitioners. The role also has scope to lead on and contribute to service development relating to care for Autistic people and Neurodiversity.You will be supported to develop your leadership skills within the role, in order to support colleagues in local the mental health services undertake their responsibilities within the Transforming Care approach.

About us

We are passionate about delivering first-class patient-centred, safe and effective care, whether it is in a hospital setting, in a community clinic or in the patients own home. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Providing top quality care depends on our ability to employ the best people.

We are always looking to recruit outstanding people who will go the extra mile to support our patients, colleagues, teams and the Trust. With every new employee were hoping to find our future leaders and well support our staff by providing opportunities to develop your career. With a diverse culture and equally diverse range of opportunities across mental health, community services, addictions, eating disorders, learning disabilities and more whatever stage of your career you're at, there's always a place for you at CNWL.

Job responsibilities

You should have experience in working in the field of health and social care and be able to demonstrate experience of positive partnership working.You will work alongside partners such as: Local mental health inpatient areas, the community Mental Health Hub and ALDT, NHS East of England Provider Collaborative, People who have a Mental Health diagnosis and who have Autism, Carers and Families and the local authority.

Person Specification

Education/Qualification/Training

• Professional Registration currently registered with governing body e.g., Registered Nurse, Social Worker or Occupational Therapist.
• Degree level or equivalent supplemented by specialist qualification, training, experience, courses
• Evidence of post registration training
• Completion of Mentorship Course/ENB equivalent or willing to undertake

Experience

• Significant clinical experience
• Experience of multi-agency working
• Experience of service development
• Experience of managing and reporting risks
• Demonstrable of coordinating projects
• Experience of monitoring budgets and business planning processes.

Skills and Abilities

• Ability to form excellent working relationships and to influence others in order to deliver results
• Ability to manage competing priorities in a busy and changing environment.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to undertake risk assessment

Knowledge

• Demonstrable ability to manage own workload and make informed decisions in the absence of required information, working to tight and often, changing timescales.
• Demonstrable knowledge of local and national frameworks, legal frameworks and guidance's relating to supporting people who have MH or who are autistic.

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.

Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust

£47,810 to £54,710 a yearper annum (pro rata if P/T)