Job summary
The Autism Specialist Practitioner will be part of a specialist multi-disciplinary Autism Advisory Team created to strengthen autism-informed practice across inpatient and community mental health services in North Central London (NCL). Operating primarily in a consultative, non-caseload model, the team offers specialist autism-focused consultation, guidance and training to frontline staff across five boroughs.

Main duties of the job
The postholder provides highly specialist, evidence-informed input to improve identification, experience and outcomes for autistic adults, with a focus on reducing inequalities, embedding reasonable adjustments, enhancing personalised care planning and promoting earlier intervention. Where appropriate, the postholder may deliver specialist (non-diagnostic) assessments to inform practical recommendations. Ongoing clinical responsibility remains with the referring teams.

As this is a newly established team, the postholder must be adaptable and comfortable working in a developing environment where processes and ways of working will evolve. The role requires a confident, proactive practitioner who can work autonomously, contribute to service development, and respond positively to change while maintaining high standards of professionalism, confidentiality, and compliance with Trust policies and local protocols.

About us
North London NHS Foundation Trust (NLFT) is committed to improving mental health care across North London to deliver excellent services to our local people.

Our Five-Year Strategy:

• We will provide consistently high-quality care closer to home.
• With our partners in North London and each borough we will ensure equity of outcome for all
• We will offer great places to work, providing staff with supportive environment to deliver outstanding care.

Why NLFT?

• We develop and retain our staff through leadership behaviours and managers programme and many more opportunities.
• We promote flexible working and support staff with a range of health and wellbeing initiatives.
• NHS Discounts, generous annual leave and NHS pension scheme
• Excellent internal staff networ

In order to meet the needs of the Trust you may be required from time to time to work at different locations to your normal place of work. This may mean that you are required to work at any location that fall under Barnet, Camden, Enfield, Haringey or Islington. The Trust reserves the right to require staff to work at such other places or locations as it considers reasonable and necessary on a temporary or permanent basis.

Job responsibilities

• Demonstrate highly specialist knowledge of autism-informed practice underpinned by current evidence-based guidance.
• Undertake specialist assessments where appropriate (e.g., functional, sensory/environmental) and translate findings into practical, implementable recommendations for wards and community teams.
• Support assessment of factors impacting engagement, regulation, independence and participation; co-produce goals as part of personalised plans.
• Apply advanced reasoning to identify and prioritise needs, considering both physical and mental health.
• Monitor and manage assessment activity within the teams remit, applying prioritisation and risk considerations appropriately.
• Produce high-quality written outputs and recommendations, tailored to the relevant setting (inpatient or community).
• Provide specialist consultation and advice to inpatient and community teams regarding sensory/environmental adaptations, daily living and functional strategies.
• Support teams to adapt routines, environments and approaches to reduce distress, support regulation and improve engagement.
• Contribute to multidisciplinary formulation and planning discussions.
• Promote consistent implementation of reasonable adjustments across services.
• Work collaboratively while maintaining that ongoing clinical responsibility remains with the referring service.
• To provide consultation and liaison to other professionals working with autistic adults in the boroughs of Barnet, Haringey, Camden, Islington and Enfield, both community and inpatient services.

This is not an exhaustive list, please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification for more information on the role requirements and duties.

Person Specification
Experience
Essential

• Degree or equivalent qualification in a relevant field (e.g., psychology, social care, education, health sciences) OR demonstrable equivalent knowledge/experience.
• Evidence of substantial CPD relevant to autism and/or mental health.
• Training in autism-informed practice (e.g., reasonable adjustments, sensory/environmental factors).

Desirable

• Holding a healthcare professional qualification (e.g., Nurse, Psychologist, Public health, health promotion, Social Care) and/or professional registration (e.g., HCPC, NMC, BACP, BPS)

Experience
Essential

• Highly developed communication skills (written and verbal), able to explain complex information to autistic people, carers and professionals.
• Advanced reasoning and decision-making skills; able to assess, prioritise and manage risk within a consultative model
• Strong consultation, influencing and coaching skills to enable practice change in teams.

Desirable

• Postgraduate training relevant to autism, sensory processing, mental health, or neurodevelopment
• Quality Improvement (QI) skills and experience.

Experience
Essential

• Ability to produce high-quality written outputs and practical recommendations suitable for implementation by MDTs.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities across multiple services.
• Demonstrable specialist experience and skills in working with autistic people.

Desirable

• Experience in developing online workshops and digital materials for families and carers

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 (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

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. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).