Behaviour Specialist

Job overview

We are seeking a highly motivated, organised and creative Behaviour Specialist (Board Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA)) to join our Wandsworth Community Learning Disability Healthcare Team. This is a dynamic multidisciplinary team with a range of professional groups including nursing, occupational therapy, psychiatry, speech and language, dietetics and physiotherapy. Psychology and behaviour support provision is delivered within an integrated MDT. The service works in close partnership with external health and social care professionals, local providers and third sector organisations.

You will need to be passionate about improving the quality of care and support we deliver to people with mental health problems & Learning Disabilities.  You will need strong and effective communication skills, and a positive approach to service user and carer engagement. You must be interested in working with external partners to develop supportive networks and have energy, drive and enthusiasm for working with complex and challenging cases which require clear communication across agencies.

You will be expected to provide specialist behavioural assessments and interventions with people who have a learning disability and mental health problems and/or behavioural difficulties, across a variety of community settings, with individuals, groups, families and staff teams.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will work as part of the Complex Support Service alongside a team of psychologists providing specialist clinical psychology and behavioural services to adults with learning disabilities, including those with mental health needs, autism and challenging behaviour.

The post holder will be required to provide specialist behavioural assessment and interventions, and to work autonomously alongside clients, families, support workers and professionals to enable others to better understand and respond to behaviours that are challenging, in line with PBS principles, Positive & Proactive Care: reducing the need for restrictive interventions (2014) and NICE Guidance (including NG11 & NG93).

The post holder will work closely with MDT colleagues (including psychiatry, psychology, speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, nursing and dietetics) through MDT meetings and multidisciplinary supervision. The post holder will work across a variety of settings, including family homes, colleges and day services and with professional colleges/outside agencies. The post holder will provide consultation and advice to other health colleagues (including inpatient services), sharing specialist ABA/learning disability knowledge.

The post holder will have opportunities to provide training to the team through our shared learning events and contribute to the Trust wide PBS training.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• Providing specialist behavioural assessments, formulations and interventions across a range of community settings.
• Contributing to ABA/psychologically based thinking to enhance understanding and care of all clients of the service, across all settings.
• Actively contributing to client care through team meetings, multidisciplinary supervision, network meetings and other interagency and professional meetings.
• Effectively manage an identified caseload.
• Communicate in a skilled and sensitive manner, information concerning the assessment, formulation and treatment plans of clients.
• Work closely with MDT colleagues to enhance care and manage risk.
• Contribute to WLDHT service development,
• Provide advice, consultation and training to staff working with the client group across a range of agencies and settings, in collaboration with other colleagues.
• Lead on improving the skills and knowledge of the MDT in positive behavioural support
• Take an active role in the Complex Behaviour Support Service developments including attending meetings and providing training.
• Use opportunities for reflective practice through supervision.
• Contribute to the supervision of assistant psychologists.
• Deliver PBS based interventions to enhance the quality of service users lives.