CYP Autism Pathway Practitioner – Development post

Job overview

We are delighted to be able to offer a band 6 to band 7 development opportunity (start point depending on experience).

This is an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic, highly motivated, and dynamic SALT, OT, Social Worker, or Specialist Nurse, to develop knowledge, skills and experience of autism. A programme of formal and informal training and support will be available – including an Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) training course. You will need prior experience of working with autistic young people and their families, and enthusiasm for learning more about differential diagnostic assessment.

Hours of work are negotiable. Whilst our base is in Macclesfield we have other bases of work in Ellesmere Port and Chester, and so base is also negotiable. This role will involve remote working/hybrid working however there will be a requirement to work from the office on certain days.

CWP hosts CANDDID, the Centre for Autism Neurodevelopmental disorders and Intellectual Disabilities, which carries out research education and training including a post-graduate course in neuro-developmental differences, and it holds an annual international conference.

Main duties of the job

In line with our CWP Autism Strategy you will be working with others to identify the strengths as well as the needs of each young person; supporting them to understand the diagnostic outcome and what it means for them. You will also be working with the local autism community hub. CWP are dedicated to working in partnership to ensure that the unique profile of each person is understood, and support is tailored. Autistic young people will be working with the team to find the best person for this post. You will have an opportunity to meet with at least two autistic young people during the informal part of the interview process.

You will be working with the young person, their family and other agencies to identify each individual profile and to explore whether the autism diagnostic criteria has been met. You will be working as part of a multi-disciplinary team across organisations. After the diagnostic review has taken place, you will be offering feedback which is focused on understanding, and next steps towards achieving each individual’s own aspirations in life. You will be supported to agree a working pattern that suits you as well as the service. A flexible mix of face-to-face clinics and remote working can be established. This allows the best possible service for families and the best possible work-life balance for members of the team.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please download a copy of the job description (see ‘documents to download’ section below) for full details of the main responsibilities for this role.

At CWP, our recruitment selection processes are based on both competence (see person specification for details) and values.

CWP recruits people that can demonstrate the Trust’s Values in their everyday life and we use a values-based approach in our interviews, which explores not only what you do but how and why you do it.

Before applying, we encourage you to review the Trust’s Values and think about how these align with your own personal values. The supporting information section in your application should reflect your understanding of the Trust’s Values and associated behaviours and you should provide examples from your work experience and/or personal life which demonstrate these values through your behaviours.

An applicant guide to help and support you through your recruitment journey can be accessed at the bottom of this page. Further help and support for completing your application can be accessed via our website. If you need any further guidance to help you complete your application, contact our recruitment team via email at: cwp.recruitment@nhs.net or by calling 01244 393100.

If you have a disability that meets the definition set out in the Equality Act 2010, and you can show that you meet the ‘essential’ criteria described in the person specification for an available position, please answer ‘YES’ to the question: ‘Do you wish to be considered under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme?’

Please inform the team if you have any special support needs to be considered as part of the interview and selection processes.

The trust offers a Guaranteed Interview Scheme to any armed forces community applicants who meet the essential criteria for the post and encourages applications from armed forces reservists or cadet force adult volunteers.

Please note applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costs are deducted from salary following appointment. You are encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service. A small annual fee of £16 per year applies.

New entrants to the NHS will commence on the minimum of the scale stated above.

Applicants are advised to apply early as if a large number of applications are received for this post we reserve the right to close the vacancy prior to the advertised date.

Good luck with your application. We hope to welcome you to Team CWP very soon!

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.