Job summary
Hours: 37.5 hours per week (full-time), part-time applications welcomed
Location: Redditch, Worcestershire (Hybrid working available for appropriate non-diagnostic activities. Core diagnostic assessments are delivered face-to-face.)
Employer: Vertis Health

Vertis Health is seeking an experienced and motivated Speech and Language Therapist to join our Adult Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Assessment Service.

This is an exciting opportunity to contribute specialist expertise in speech, language, communication and social interaction assessment within a multidisciplinary adult autism diagnostic pathway. You will play a key role in supporting high-quality, evidence-based diagnostic decision-making while helping individuals understand their communication strengths, needs and preferred ways of engaging with the world.

Working within a supportive MDT, you will contribute to assessments, diagnostic discussions, report writing and person-centred support planning, ensuring services remain neurodiversity-affirming, accessible and aligned with NICE guidance.

Main duties of the job

• Conduct specialist communication and social interaction assessments for adults referred for autism assessment.
• Review referral information, developmental histories and supporting evidence to inform clinical reasoning and assessment planning.
• Explore social communication differences across a range of settings including relationships, employment, education and healthcare.
• Contribute specialist speech and language expertise to multidisciplinary diagnostic discussions and decision-making.
• Produce clear, high-quality assessment summaries and diagnostic report contributions.
• Support the development of personalised support plans, including communication strategies and reasonable adjustments.
• Maintain accurate clinical records and documentation using agreed systems and templates.
• Participate in MDT meetings, clinical supervision, audit activity and service development initiatives.
• Identify and escalate safeguarding, risk, mental health or capacity concerns in line with governance requirements

About us
Vertis Health is a federation of general practices delivering high-quality NHS services across Worcestershire. We were founded by local primary care clinicians and are owned by the practices we serve. As a purpose-led limited company, the money we generate is reinvested into the local healthcare economy, helping to strengthen services, support innovation and improve patient care.

Our neurodevelopmental services are being built around clinical quality, meaningful outcomes and strong governance. You will join an organisation that understands NHS systems and values while giving experienced clinicians the opportunity to influence, develop and improve services.

Depending on the role, our benefits include access to the NHS Pension, structured learning and development, clinical leadership opportunities, career progression and genuine flexibility.

If you want to help build a clinically rigorous, compassionate and sustainable service, we would be pleased to hear from you.

Person Specification
Knowledge and Skills - Essential

• Understanding of autism across adulthood, including masking, pragmatic language differences and reasonable adjustments.
• Knowledge of adult safeguarding, consent, confidentiality and the Mental Capacity Act.
• Ability to integrate evidence from multiple sources into clear clinical reasoning.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Commitment to equality, accessibility and neurodiversity-affirming practice.

Experience - Essential

• Significant post-qualification experience within adult neurodevelopmental, mental health, learning disability, community or related services.
• Experience assessing communication and social interaction differences in adults.
• Experience contributing to multidisciplinary clinical assessment and decision-making.
• Strong report-writing and clinical documentation skills.

Experience - Desirable

• Experience contributing to Adult ASD diagnostic pathways.
• Experience using structured communication and social interaction assessment tools.
• Experience of ADOS-2, ADI-R or equivalent autism assessment methodologies.
• Experience within Right to Choose or community neurodevelopmental services.

Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent qualification in Speech and Language Therapy.
• Current HCPC registration as a Speech and Language Therapist.

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