Job summaryThe Senior Mental Health Practitioner ADHD Assessment Service will provide high-quality specialist ADHD assessments for adults within the ABC ADHD pathway. The post holder will undertake comprehensive neurodevelopmental assessments, produce detailed clinical reports, and contribute to safe, effective and timely patient care.
The role requires an experienced registered mental health professional with significant expertise in ADHD assessment, mental health assessment, risk management and clinical formulation. The post holder will work autonomously while contributing to multidisciplinary discussions, ensuring diagnostic integrity and maintaining high clinical standards.
Main duties of the jobThe practitioner will support service development, clinical governance, safeguarding, and quality improvement initiatives while helping reduce waiting times and improve patient access to specialist ADHD services. Based on the required expertise for the role, the position aligns with skills demonstrated through extensive ADHD assessment practice, community mental health leadership and specialist neurodevelopmental assessment experience.
About usAlliance for Better Care is a GP Federation uniting 77 NHS GP member practices across 98 sites within 24 Primary Care Networks in Sussex and Surrey. We support our Primary Care colleagues - and their patients - to transform how healthcare is delivered in their communities.
We work closely with GP Practices, PCNs, Hospitals, Community Organisations, and the Third Sector. These vital partnerships enable us to deliver a truly integrated approach that offers the support and expertise needed to effectively serve our populations.
Our Values- We innovate
- If we can do something better, we should.
- We are honest
- Even when it is difficult.
- We care
- And put the patient first.
- We are inclusive
- We listen and we act.
- We deliver
- And were known to like a challenge!
Services that ABC Provide- Additional Primary Care
- Anti-Viral COVID Medication (nMABs)
- Anticipatory Care
- Enhanced Access
- Health Checks
- Inclusion Health
- MMR Service
- Outbreak Response Service
- Refugee and Asylum Seeker Support
- Remote Services
- Spirometry and Reversibility Service
- Sussex Smoking Cessation
- Urgent Care at Scale Service
- Urgent Primary Care Support
- Vaccination Programme
Benefits- Generous annual leave allowance
- Access to NHS pension
- Bespoke training programme
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Enhanced maternity pay
- NHS discounts
- Leadership Development Programme
- Salary sacrifice schemes technology and electric vehicle
- Opportunities for secondments
Job responsibilities- Conduct 10 comprehensive adult ADHD assessments a week using structured and semi-structured clinical interviews.
- Gather and analyse collateral information including developmental histories, informant reports, rating scales and supporting documentation.
- Consider differential diagnoses, comorbid mental health presentations and factors impacting diagnosis.
- Undertake comprehensive risk assessments and identify safeguarding concerns where appropriate.
- Produce high-quality clinical assessment reports within agreed service timescales.
- Communicate diagnostic outcomes sensitively and professionally, including circumstances where ADHD diagnostic criteria are not met.
- Escalate complex presentations or high-risk cases through appropriate clinical governance routes.
- Participate in multidisciplinary team discussions and case reviews.
Person SpecificationExperienceEssential- Significant post-registration experience within mental health services.
- Experience undertaking comprehensive mental health assessments and risk assessments.
- 1+ year experience conducting adult ADHD assessments.
- Experience producing detailed clinical reports and formulations.
- Experience managing complex presentations and differential diagnoses.
- Experience working autonomously while contributing to multidisciplinary teams.
- Experience of safeguarding adults and children.
Desirable- Experience assessing children and young people for ADHD.
- Experience within NHS ADHD or Right to Choose pathways.
- Experience contributing to service development and quality improvement projects.
- Experience in leadership, supervision or team management roles.
- Experience working within community mental health services.
Skills and AbilitiesEssential- Advanced clinical assessment and diagnostic skills.
- Strong understanding of ADHD across the lifespan.
- Ability to gather and analyse complex clinical information.
- Excellent report writing and documentation skills.
- Ability to manage a high-volume caseload while maintaining quality standards.
- Strong communication and therapeutic engagement skills.
- Ability to formulate risk and manage clinical uncertainty.
- Competent IT and electronic patient record skills.
- Ability to prioritise workload and work independently.
- Continued professional development towards further qualifications such as non medical prescribing
Desirable- Experience using ADHD assessment tools and rating scales including DIVA-5, SNAP-IV, WURS and related assessment measures.
- Understanding of digital clinical systems and governance processes.
- Experience supporting clinical audits and service evaluations.
Behaviours and ValuesEssential- Demonstrates ABC values of Innovation, Honesty, Care, Inclusion and Delivery.
- Patient-centred and compassionate approach.
- Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.
- Professional integrity and accountability.
- Commitment to evidence-based practice.
- Flexible and adaptable approach to service needs.
- Commitment to continuous learning and professional development.
Desirable- Enthusiasm for developing ADHD services.
- Ability to act as a role model and clinical resource for colleagues.
- Interest in research, innovation and service transformation.
QualificationsEssential- Registered Mental Health Nurse (RMN), Occupational Therapist, Social Worker or equivalent registered mental health professional.
- Current professional registration with relevant governing body (NMC, HCPC or Social Work England).
- Degree-level professional qualification.
- Evidence of continued professional development.
- Level 3 Adult and Child Safeguarding.
Desirable- ADHD-specific training aligned to UKAAN principles.
- Postgraduate qualification in mental health, neurodevelopmental disorders or clinical practice.
- Clinical Safety Officer accreditation.
- Clinical leadership or management qualification.
Disclosure and Barring Service CheckThis post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Alliance for Better Care CIC is an equal opportunities employer. 
