Job summary
This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced Senior Learning Disability and Autism Practitioner to join the East London CAMHS Alternatives To Admission Pathway for a 12-month pilot programme.

The successful candidate will play a key role in supporting autistic children and young people and those with learning disabilities who are experiencing a mental health crisis, helping to reduce avoidable admissions, improve patient outcomes and embed specialist neurodevelopmental practice across crisis services.

The role combines direct clinical work, consultation, training, service development and partnership working across health, social care and education settings.

The funding for this post is time limited for one year.

Main duties of the job

• Provide specialist assessment, intervention and crisis support for autistic children and young people and those with learning disabilities.
• Support admission avoidance and facilitate safe discharge from inpatient services where appropriate.
• Offer specialist advice, consultation and support to multidisciplinary teams and partner agencies.
• Promote person-centred, trauma-informed care, reasonable adjustments and positive behaviour support approaches.
• Deliver training and coaching to improve staff knowledge, confidence and skills.
• Work collaboratively with families, education, social care and healthcare partners to improve outcomes for children and young people.
• Contribute to service development, quality improvement and evaluation activities.

About us
Our mission is to make a positive difference to people's lives by improving the quality of life for all we serve. Our values are: We Care, We Respect, We are Inclusive - so we are looking for people who live and breathe these qualities when supporting service users and carers, and in their relationships with colleagues in the Trust and our partner organisations.

Details
Date posted: 30 October 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 8a
Salary: £66,274 to £73,496 a year per annum
Contract: Fixed term
Duration: 12 months
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 363-SS8387620
Closing date: 22 November 2026

Job responsibilities

• Provide specialist Learning Disability and Autism support within CAMHS Alternatives To Admission Pathway
• Assess, plan and deliver interventions for children and young people experiencing mental health crises.
• Support admission avoidance and safe discharge planning.
• Advise and support clinicians, families and partner agencies.
• Deliver training and promote best practice across services.
• Contribute to service improvement and positive outcomes for children, young people and their families.

Person Specification
Education, Training and Qualifications
Essential

• Registered Mental Nurse/Learning Disability Nurse or Children's Nurse (Part 3/8/13 or 15 of the UKCC Register) OR Registered Speech and Language Therapist OR Registered Occupational Therapist
• Relevant post-graduate qualification in Child and adolescent mental health.

Experience
Essential

• Previous experience of working in CAMHS or equivalent
• Experience at Band 7 or equivalent for at least 2 years.
• Experience of working with patients with a learning disability

Desirable

• Experience of service development
• Experience of mentorship and a nurse-teaching role.

Skills and Abilities
Essential

• Evidence of well developed clinical skills and knowledge in CAMHS.
• Evidence of ability to lead support and influence others.

Desirable

• Teaching skills, both in clinical setting and education centres.

Knowledge
Essential

• A high degree of self-awareness and an ability to reflect on personal and professional attitudes and accept feedback.
• An awareness of different research methods

Desirable

• Knowledge of standard setting and audit implementation

Employer details
Employer name: East London NHS Foundation Trust
Address: East London CAMHS A2A, 385 Barking Road, London, E13 8AL, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.elft.nhs.uk/

For questions about the job, contact: Service Manager, Valentine Dube, valentinedube@yahoo.co.uk, 07341789670

This 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. Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. Applicants must have current UK professional registration.