Job summary
An exciting opportunity has become available within the Durham and Tees Valley (DTV) Adult Autism Team for a Clinical Nurse Specialist to join our well-established and supportive service.

The successful applicant will demonstrate a detailed understanding of Autism, alongside a working knowledge of ADHD, and will take on a key assessing role within the team, completing autism assessments in collaboration with the wider MDT. They will contribute to clinical diagnostic decision-making, organise and lead MDT discussions, and ensure high clinical standards are maintained across all aspects of care.

The post holder will follow NICE-guidance approaches when completing autism assessments, taking into consideration and understanding of co-occurring mental health difficulties to support specialist diagnostic decision-making. They will be expected to communicate in a neuroaffirming and inclusive manner, supporting both staff and autistic adults.

This role covers the Durham and Tees Valley area, providing consultation to community teams, supporting complex cases, and delivering autism diagnostic training. Existing skills and experience in autism assessment are desirable, as teaching and sharing expertise with wider teams will form a key part of the role.

Main duties of the job
The successful postholder will undertake comprehensive assessments for autism in line with NICE guidance and clinic protocols, complete detailed clinical histories, including developmental, mental health, and risk assessments. You will use standardised assessment tools and diagnostic frameworks to inform clinical decision-making.

You will assess for co-existing conditions, including mental health difficulties, substance misuse, and other neurodevelopmental differences. You will identify and respond to safeguarding concerns in line with policy and statutory requirements.

The post holder will formulate diagnostic outcomes and provide clear, evidence-based rationales for decisions and communicate assessment outcomes to patients in a clear, sensitive, and supportive manner. You will produce high-quality clinical reports within agreed timeframes that meet professional and regulatory standards, contribute to multidisciplinary team discussions and decision-making where required and refer or signpost patients to appropriate services, including post-diagnostic support and treatment pathways.

You will maintain accurate, timely, and confidential clinical records in line with data-protection requirements. In addition, you will work in line with CQC standards, clinical governance frameworks, and organisational policies.

About us
We are the Mental Health & Learning Disability NHS Trust for County Durham and Darlington, Teesside, North Yorkshire, York and Selby.

From education and prevention, to crisis and specialist care --our talented and compassionate teams work in partnership with our patients, communities and partners to help the people of our region feel safe, understood, believed in and cared for.

We nurture the recovery journey of anyone in need of our help. In Our Trust, everyone has a say in how they are supported and treated because we listen to every person in our care until they feel understood. Our patients, their families and carers work together with us towards better mental health.

We're committed to new thinking that improves the wellbeing of our region. We connect with our communities and partners to get mental health care right, in areas that really need it.

We won't rest until everyone in our region has the mental health care they need, to lead their best possible life.

Details
Date posted: 14 August 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 7
Salary: £49,387 to £56,515 a year per annum
Contract: Fixed term
Duration: 12 months
Working pattern: Full-time, Flexible working
Reference number: 346-TSA-086-26-A
Job locations: Lancaster House, Falcon Court, Preston Farm, Stockton-on-Tees, TS18 3TS, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities
This role may be eligible for sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker route. However, sponsorship can only be provided where applicants meet the specific requirements, therefore, we recommend that you assess your eligibility before applying for this position. Visit https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa

Please refer to the attached job description and person specification provided.

If you would like more information, or if you would like to visit our service for further discussion, please feel free to contact the current Team Manager Amanda Davison or Clinical Nurse Specialist Claire Batkin.

This job advert may close early if a high volume of applications have been received. If interested, please apply for this post as soon as possible.

Contact Details
DTV Adult Autism Team Tel: 01642 368302
Team Manager Amanda Davison - amanda.davison1@nhs.net
Clinical Nurse Specialist Claire Batkin - cbatkin@nhs.net

Person Specification
Personal Attributes
Essential

• Able to work in accordance with Trust Values.
• Committed to continual quality and service improvement.
• Self-aware and committed to continual professional and personal development. Able to accept and respond positively to feedback from supervision.
• Committed to promoting a positive image of people with mental health conditions and learning disabilities.

Desirable

• Committed to promoting a positive image of the department and the wider Trust.
• Committed to promoting a positive image of people with mental health conditions and learning disabilities.
• Ability to travel independently in accordance with Trust policies and service need.

Qualifications
Essential

• Current Professional Registration with Nursing and Midwifery Council - RMN / RNLD/ RGN
• Recognised Practice Assessor/Practice Supervisor or currently in progress of achieving.
• Trained in Clinical Supervision and be providing Clinical Supervision
• AND HAVE Professional clinical knowledge and experience acquired through degree (or equivalent post registration study), supplemented by specialist training, experience, short courses, Module (20 credit) at level 7 see below For example Postgraduate Certificate/Diploma/Masters Degree, Intermediate Systemic Family Therapy/Postgraduate diploma in CBT/British Isles Dialectical Behaviour Therapy /NMP (Independent Prescriber), Psychosocial Interventions
• AND HAVE Equivalent significant clinical experience such as working (minimum of 2 years) as a band 6 (or above) in relevant clinical area, together with evidence of relevant CPD to Level 7 or equivalent

Knowledge
Essential

• Extensive knowledge of current issues relating to health needs of patients in the field of practice, regionally and nationally
• Understanding and working knowledge of the legal framework and statutory obligations under the Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act
• Detailed understanding of Safeguarding and its application in practice.
• Clinical Risk Assessment and Management and its application in practice.
• Clinical Governance and its application in practice.
• Detailed understanding of autism across the lifespan, including how presentation can differs.
• Working knowledge of clinical medicines management
• Understanding of psychological models of care and treatment (depending on specialist area)

Experience
Essential

• Significant experience working with patients with complex needs in the specialist field.
• Significant experience working with patients who display risk behaviours
• Significant experience working with patients who display risk behaviours
• Clinical risk assessment and management and its application in practice
• Working collaboratively with service users their families and carers
• Working in a multi disciplinary team
• Quality improvement activities

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).

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

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).

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details
Employer name: Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Lancaster House, Falcon Court, Preston Farm, Stockton-on-Tees, TS18 3TS, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.tewv.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact:
DTV Adult Autism Team Manager
Amanda Davison
amanda.davison1@nhs.net
01642368302

Supporting documents
Privacy notice
Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)