Lead Practitioner – Forensic Autism Service


Location
Preston, England
Salary
£49,387 - £56,515 per annum
Profession
Lead (legacy management group)
Grade
Band 7
Deadline
30 Oct 2026
Contract Type
Permanent
Posted Date
16 Oct 2026
Medical Protection — the side of locally employed doctors from £83

Job requirements

Essential

9 listed

Requirements the employer expects applicants to meet.

  • Knowledge

    Post qualifying experience, including significant experience of working within autism and/or forensic services

  • Knowledge

    Knowledge of the Trust’s information sharing protocols

  • Knowledge

    Be compliant and competent with regards to Information governance including Data Protection Act

  • Experience

    Evidence of extensive and significant clinical knowledge, skill and experience of working with people with autism.

  • Experience

    Specialist knowledge of interventions relevant to this client group and current models of service for clients with autism.

  • Experience

    Able to take responsibility for decision making in unpredictable work contexts, acting with autonomy

  • Qualifications

    Registered Mental Health Nurse (RMN)/ Registered Nurse, Learning Disability (RNLD), Allied Health Professional (OT/SaLT) or Social Worker

  • Qualifications

    Evidence of continuing professional development

  • Qualifications

    Post-graduate qualification in relevant subject or demonstrable evidence or equivalent experience relevant to field of practice.

Desirable

Not listed in the available specification.

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen in the Forensic Autism Service for a band 7 Lead Practitioner to join our team.

The successful applicant will be the lead practitioner for cases and work as part of the leadership team providing expert advice, direct clinical interventions with service users and families and support and clinical leadership to autistic adults over 16, who are presenting with significant forensic risk.

The successful applicants will carry a caseload of service users with complex needs and will provide specialist risk management strategies and interventions for people referred to the service, and where necessary signpost and refer to appropriate services or agencies.

You will be responsible for the maintenance of high levels of evidence-based clinical practice, contributing to and facilitating Care Processes and Pathways.

The post includes managing and supervising the work of others and acting as a mentor and preceptor for junior staff. The ability to work independently as well as within a team will also be required.

The candidates will also be required to joint work with multiple agencies and service providers across Lancashire and South Cumbria which will require excellent communication skills.

Main duties of the job

  • The successful applicant will be working as part of the leadership team providing expert advice, direct clinical interventions with service user and families and support and clinical leadership to adults over 16 with autism and who have forensic risk.
  • You will provide specialist interventions for people referred to the service, and where necessary signpost and refer to appropriate services or agencies.
  • You will be responsible for the maintenance of high levels of evidence-based clinical practice, contributing to and facilitating Care Processes and Pathways.
  • You will manage and supervise the work of others, and act as a mentor and preceptor.
  • The ability to work independently as well as within a team will also be required.
  • Candidates will need to be IT literate and have experience using digital clinical records, as well as the desire to explore new ways of engaging with stakeholders using technology.
  • The candidate will also be required to joint work with multiple agencies and service providers across Lancashire & South Cumrbia which will require excellent communication skills.
  • The service operates 5 days a week; Monday-Friday 9am-5pm and covers the whole of the trust footprint.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

For more details on this vacancy please review the attached job description and person specification.

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.

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Applying for this NHS job

This advert is for Lead Practitioner – Forensic Autism Service with Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust in Preston, England. It is listed as a Band 7 Lead (legacy management group) role. The advertised salary is £49,387 - £56,515 per annum. The contract type is Permanent. The application deadline is 30 Oct 2026.

Before you apply, compare the job description with the person specification and mirror the employer's essential criteria in your supporting information. Use the vacancy title, employer, location, salary, contract type, closing date and posted date (16 Oct 2026) to decide whether this role fits your current NHSjob search. If the employer can close applications early, prepare the application before the stated deadline rather than waiting for the final day.

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