Job summary
This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced Senior Learning Disability and Autism Practitioner to join the Coborn Centre for Adolescent Mental Health for a 12-month pilot programme.

The Senior Learning Disability and Autism Practitioner will provide specialist leadership, consultation and clinical expertise to support children and young people with learning disabilities and/or autism within Coborn. The post holder will work across inpatient pathways to improve patient outcomes, promote person-centred care, reduce restrictive practice, and ensure reasonable adjustments are embedded throughout the care pathway. The role will support workforce development, contribute to service improvement initiatives, and strengthen collaboration between inpatient services, community teams, families and partner agencies.

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

Main duties of the job

• Provide specialist Learning Disability and Autism (LDA) assessment, consultation and intervention within Coborn.
• Support the development and implementation of personalised care plans and reasonable adjustments.
• Promote effective communication strategies and positive behavioural support approaches.
• Deliver training, coaching and consultation to multidisciplinary staff teams.
• Contribute to reducing restrictive interventions and improving patient experiences and outcomes.
• Support admission, care planning, discharge planning and transition processes.
• Work collaboratively with families, carers and partner agencies to ensure coordinated care.
• Lead and contribute to quality improvement, audit and service development initiatives.
• Provide specialist advice on the needs of neurodivergent children and young people.
• Support compliance with national standards, policies and best practice guidance relating to learning disability and autism.

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: £63,665 to £70,887 a year per annum
Contract: Fixed term
Duration: 12 months
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 363-SS8388603
Closing date: 22 November 2026

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
• Essential: Relevant post-graduate qualification in Child and adolescent mental health.

Experience

• Essential: Previous experience of working in CAMHS or equivalent
• Essential: Experience at Band 7 or equivalent for at least 2 years.
• Essential: Experience of working with patients with a learning disability
• Desirable: Experience of service development
• Desirable: Experience of mentorship and a nurse-teaching role.

Skills and Abilities

• Essential: Evidence of well developed clinical skills and knowledge in CAMHS.
• Essential: 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.
• Essential: An awareness of different research methods
• Desirable: Knowledge of standard setting and audit implementation

Disclosure and Barring Service Check
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.

Certificate of Sponsorship
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. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.

Employer contact details
Contact: Richard Vivian, Service Manager/Lead Nurse, richard.vivian@nhs.net, 07554372204

Apply through our website