Specialist Learning Disability & Autism Nurse

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust; Manchester; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 48,000; Part time

Job summary

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust is recruiting a Specialist Learning Disability and Autism Nurse at NHS AfC Band 6 for 30 hours per week at the Manchester Royal Infirmary/Oxford Road Campus. The role focuses on safeguarding, expert LD/Autism clinical practice, and service improvement.

The post involves delivering training, advising staff, and promoting the Mental Capacity Act 2005 principles across the Trust. Collaborative, patient‑centred care is essential.

Qualifications

• Qualified Learning Disability Nurse or other registered nurse with LD/Autism experience.
• Educated to degree level.
• Experience with adults or children with LD/Autism.
• Experience in MDT settings.
• Knowledge of Mental Capacity Act 2005, Mental Health Act, DoLs, Equality Act.
• UK professional registration is required.
• Post-registration LD/Autism experience noted.

Responsibilities

• Advise and support staff across the trust footprint for LD/Autism care.
• Deliver LD/Autism training to Trust staff on duties under MCA 2005.
• Be highly visible in clinical areas and support teams to deliver care.
• Support safeguarding concerns involving LD/Autism patients.
• Contribute to reporting and learning from LeDeR and outcomes.

Skills

Verbal & written comms

Training delivery

Analytical skills

Work under pressure

Team collaboration

Education

Degree-level education

UK professional registration

Job description

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Specialist Learning Disability & Autism Nurse

NHS AfC: Band 6

Main area Learning Disability and Autism Grade NHS AfC: Band 6 Contract Permanent: Part time Hours Part time - 30 hours per week (Core Hours Monday-Friday) Job ref 349-COR-8251463-RL4

Site Manchester Royal Infirmary/Oxford Road Campus Town Manchester Salary £39,959 - £48,117 Per Annum, Pro Rata Salary period Yearly Closing 21/09/2026 23:59

Job overview

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) are looking for aSpecialist 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 service.

Support with 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.

To complete Quality Care Checklists, to audit staff's adherence to the MFT Learning Disability and Autism policy and strategy.

To deliver Learning Disability and Autism Training, and give specialist advise 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 the team standards are maintained, and staff are supported to deliver excellent care for patients with Learning Disability and/or Autism within the Trust

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

Contributing to the reporting and learning of the lives and deaths of Patients with Learning Disabilities and Autism (LeDeR), identifying improvements, and sharing good practices.

Working aside the Safeguarding Team when Safeguarding concerns are raised involving our vulnerable patient group.

Working for our organisation

Join Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) and become part of a 30,000 plus strong team, delivering exceptional care to over 1 million people every year. As the largest provider of specialist services, and our Oxford Road Campus in Manchester, the largest health academic campus in Europe, we are 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, multi-disciplinary 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.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

IMPORTANT CANDIDATE INFORMATION

To find out more about the key responsibilities and the specific skills and experience you’ll need for this role, take a look at the Job Description & Person Specification attachments under the ‘Documents to download’ heading.

Explore ‘Inside MFT – Your Candidate Place’

To help you feel confident, prepared and fully informed before you apply, we invite you to explore Inside MFT – Your Candidate Place. This welcoming one‑stop hub gives you a real sense of who we are, what we stand for, how we reward and support you, and the many ways we care for you as you care for others. You’ll also find practical hints and tips for submitting a great application, along with the essential information you need to know before you apply.

To access ‘Inside MFT – Your Candidate Place’, simply click on the relevant PDF document under the ‘Documents to download’ heading and once opened, you can either scan QR code or click on the link provided.

We welcome applications from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences.
To help us manage applications fairly and give each one the time it deserves, our adverts may close early if we receive a high level of interest. Early applications are therefore encouraged.

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.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in your application

Here at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, we’re 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 that the content of your application, especially personal statements and responses to role specific questions is 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.

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check

As part of our commitment to safeguarding patients and staff, many roles at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) require a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. This is a standard process across the NHS and helps us ensure a safe environment for everyone.

What is a DBS Check?

A DBS check is a background check that reveals any criminal convictions, cautions, reprimands, or warnings. The level of check required depends on the role:

Standard DBS: Checks for spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands, and final warnings.

Enhanced DBS: Includes the above, plus any additional information held by local police that’s considered relevant to the role.

Enhanced with Barred Lists: Includes all of the above, plus checks against the children’s and/or adults’ barred lists.

Who Needs a DBS Check

Most roles involving direct patient contact, working with children or vulnerable adults, or access to sensitive information will require a DBS check. The job advert and recruitment team will let you know if this applies to your role.

The Costs for a DBS

At Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT), roles that require a DBS check are subject to a cost recovery policy. This means that the cost of submitting and processing a DBS application if you are successful and join us, will be deducted from your salary within the first three months of employment. If, however, you withdraw from a conditional offer after the DBS process has begun, you will still be liable for the cost incurred.

Candidates are also expected to register with the DBS Update Service which must be completed within 30 days of the certificate being issued. This helps streamline future employment checks and supports safer recruitment practices. For more information, please visit the DBS Update Service.

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 experince

• 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 like behavioural recording sheets; direct observations; pain; health screening tools etc. to help analyse situation and make formulations and recommendations based on this.
• 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, to prioritise work flexibly and to tight deadlines.
• Experience in developing and delivering training

Employer certification / accreditation badges

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Name Katie Damer Job title Senior Specialist Learning Disability/Autism Nurse Email address [e-mail] Additional information

Kate Cunningham

Senior Specialist Learning Disability/Autism Nurse

[e-mail]

0161 720 2159