Community Learning Disabilities Dietitian

Job overview

Are you a passionate and motivated Dietitian looking to develop your expertise in learning disability and community nutrition services? We have an exciting opportunity for a Band 6 Community Learning Disabilities Dietitian to join our friendly and supportive multidisciplinary team in Wandsworth on a 12-month fixed-term basis.

This rewarding role offers the chance to make a meaningful difference to the lives of adults with learning disabilities by addressing health inequalities, improving nutritional outcomes and supporting individuals to achieve their health and wellbeing goals. You will work alongside a highly skilled team of psychiatrists, psychologists, speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, nurses and social care professionals, delivering person-centred care across a range of community settings. We are seeking an experienced Dietitian with a strong background in home enteral feeding (HEF) to join our team.

We are looking for an enthusiastic and adaptable Dietitian with excellent communication skills, a commitment to collaborative working and a passion for supporting people with complex needs. In return, you will receive specialist support, clinical supervision and opportunities to contribute to service development within a progressive and innovative team.

Main duties of the job

As the Community Learning Disabilities Dietitian, you will provide specialist nutritional assessment, intervention and support for adults with learning disabilities who present with a wide range of nutritional needs. You will work autonomously while being fully integrated within a supportive multidisciplinary team, helping service users, carers and support networks to understand and manage nutritional challenges.

The successful candidate will build strong relationships with service users, families, care providers and healthcare professionals to deliver personalised, evidence-based interventions. You will have the opportunity to work across a variety of settings, supporting individuals with complex nutritional needs, contributing to multidisciplinary care planning and playing an important role in reducing health inequalities experienced by people with learning disabilities.

We are seeking someone who is compassionate, organised and proactive, with strong clinical reasoning skills and a commitment to delivering high-quality, person-centred care. Experience of managing an enteral feeding caseload, working autonomously, and collaborating effectively within multidisciplinary teams will be essential. You will also contribute to service development, education, quality improvement initiatives and the wider promotion of nutrition and wellbeing within learning disability services.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

To provide specialist dietetic assessment and intervention for adults with learning disabilities presenting with dysphagia, malnutrition, obesity, enteral feeding needs, and other complex nutritional issues, under the guidance of senior colleagues where required.

To manage and prioritise a defined caseload of adults with learning disabilities within community settings, including homes, residential care settings, supported living environments, day services, education settings and clinics.

To undertake comprehensive, person-centred dietetic assessments (including interpretation of anthropometric, biochemical, clinical, and dietary information with the use of nutritional analysis software when required) establish realistic, evidence-based goals and adapt assessment and intervention approaches to meet the needs of adults with learning disabilities in partnership with service users, families, carers, and the wider multidisciplinary team.

To monitor and review clients receiving home enteral feeding, liaising with acute dietetic services, community teams, carers, and other professionals to support safe transitions of care.

To liaise with enteral feeding companies regarding the provision of prescribed feeds, equipment, and associated support services including specialist nurses provided by enteral feeding contract.

To advise on the appropriate use of ACBS-approved products, including oral nutritional supplements, enteral feeds, and specialist dietary products, in accordance with local prescribing guidance and in liaison with GPs where appropriate.

To provide dietary and nutritional advice to service users, families, carers, support providers, and professionals, adapting communication methods to meet the needs of individuals with learning disabilities.

To provide advice regarding menu planning, nutritional standards, texture modification, and food fortification in residential homes, supported living services, and community settings.

To attend and contribute to the weekly multidisciplinary learning disabilities team meetings for dietetic referrals and joint care planning for clients requiring dietetic intervention.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in job applications

If you have used AI to support the preparation of your application, please briefly indicate how it was used within your supporting statement or application form.

Please remember, your application is your opportunity to tell us about your skills, experience and motivation for the role. We encourage applicants to complete their application and supporting statement in their own words wherever possible. We recognise that AI tools can be helpful in supporting accessibility, and for improving spelling, grammar and structure.

Applications that rely heavily on AI-generated content can become generic and fail to accurately reflect an applicant's individual experience. Applications that clearly demonstrate your own voice, reflections and experiences are often the most effective and help us better understand your suitability for the role.

Please be aware that information provided in your application and supporting statement may be explored further during the selection process. It is important that all applications accurately represent your own knowledge, skills and experience.

Applicant requirements

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.