Job summary
- Main area
- Behavioural Specialist
- Grade
- NHS AfC: Band 7
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time
- Flexible working
- Job ref
- 395-AR070-25
- Employer
- NELFT NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Goodmayes Hospital Maggie Lilley Suite,
- Town
- Ilford
- Salary
- £47,810 - £54,710 per annum (Plus HCAS) pro-rata
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 21/10/2025 23:59
Employer heading

Behavioural Specialist
NHS AfC: Band 7
Joining #TeamNELFT means you’ll become part of a welcoming and supportive working environment. We’re CQC rated Good, and we want you to join us on the journey towards an Outstanding rating. NELFT has sites across North East London, Essex, Kent and Medway. We provide community and mental healthcare services to adults and children within these areas.
The Trust has award winning equality and diversity initiatives and staff health and wellbeing activities. We invest heavily in your development, because when you are valued and supported, we provide the best care to our patients. We are a Level 3 Disability Confident Leader, have been featured in the Working Families Top 10 Employers benchmark for five consecutive years, and we have achieved a Carers UK Level 1 Accreditation. Along with our staff networks and training opportunities, we work hard to embed a just and compassionate culture here at NELFT.
Find out more about NELFT careers and what makes our Trust a great place to work, in this video
Job overview
The post holder will achieve this by:
· Supporting the delivery of high-quality, trauma-informed behavioural modification care within the Intensive Support Team (IST), which provides rapid and intensive support to adults with learning disabilities and/or autism who are experiencing crisis.
· Being effective in a role that spans all NELFT boroughs and involves close collaboration with Community Learning Disability Teams (CLDTs).
· Working with both inpatients and outpatients to provide brief, low intensity evidence-based behavioural modification interventions based on a range of cognitive, behavioural and solution focused approaches. There will also be opportunities to become involved in service evaluation and audit projects
· Working alongside MDT colleagues in the Intensive support team for people with a Learning disability or Autism who present to crisis services.
- To provide (under supervision) behavioural modification input to a psychology/behavioural service to adults with intellectual disabilities, autism or both whose behaviours significantly challenge and place them at risk of an admission/placement breakdown. These individuals would be typically referred to and listed on the Adult Dynamic Support Register.
Main duties of the job
·
- Conduct behavioural modification assessments and contribute to formulations under supervision of a qualified Practitioner.
- Deliver evidence-based interventions including Positive Behaviour Support (PBS), trauma-informed approaches, and psychoeducational workshops.
- Support the development of safety and risk management plans to prevent hospital admissions and promote community-based care.
- Assist in service development initiatives, audits, and research projects.
- Maintain accurate clinical records and contribute to data analysis related to incidents and outcomes.
- Work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team including psychiatrists, nurses, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists, and psychologist.
- Provide advice and training to care providers and support staff.
- Promote person-centred care and uphold the values of equality, diversity, and inclusion.
Working for our organisation
Our Values 2025 - 2030
Working with our colleagues, patients and carers we have co- produced three new values that we aim to embed within our culture here at NELFT.
They are:
We are kind.
We are respectful.
We work together with our communities.
These three values help us to strive to provide the best care by the best people.
Starting with NELFT (delete for internal only)
NELFT place a great deal of importance on new starters being properly welcomed and inducted into the Trust. All new starters will join the Trust on the first Monday of each month and will undertake a comprehensive induction of up to two weeks which will include mandatory training, systems training and the allocation of equipment. As part of the process new starters will have the opportunity to also meet the executive team, senior managers, and attend a number of drop-in sessions focusing on engagement, health and wellbeing and key processes. The induction will be held at our head office in Rainham, Essex.
Probationary Period
This post will be subject to a probationary period.
High Cost Area Supplement - Outer London
This post also attracts payment for High Cost Area Supplement of 15%of the basic salary (minimum payment of £4,714 and a maximum payment of £5,941 - per annum, pro rata for part time),
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please see the attached job description and person specification for more information about this role and working at North East London NHS Foundation Trust. We encourage you to refer to this when completing your application.
We welcome your application even if you do not meet all the criteria listed in the person specification. Please apply as soon as possible as some posts close early to limit the number of applications.
Certificates of Sponsorship
Although we are a registered sponsor organisation, we are unable to offer sponsorship for all job roles. Please check your eligibility under the UKVI points-based system. When calculating the basic salary for sponsorship, HCAS (High-Cost Area Supplement) is not included to ensure fairness and consistency within our Trust.
Use of AI
Please see attached document regarding acceptable use of AI during the recruitment process.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- NVQ level 2 or equivalent standard of literacy and numeracy.
- Graduate qualification BSc Behavioural Specialist.
- Additional specialist post-graduate training in relevant psychological area/therapy/modality and registered with the appropriate professional body
Desirable criteria
- Upper second-class honours degree (2:1) in Behavioural Specialist.
- Eligible for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) with the BPS.
- Equivalent to an associate degree from an accredited college with major coursework in psychology, sociology, social work, criminal justice, or related field.
Experience
Essential criteria
- Two (2) years of experience providing behavioural modification, physical restoration, social adjustment, or vocational adjustment services to clients in a behavioural health setting.
- Knowledge of evidence based clinical practice and a commitment to keeping abreast of new evidence-based practice developments in Behavioural Specialist (E)
- Experience of working with learning disabilities, autism and severe mental health difficulties and with behaviours that challenge (E)
Desirable criteria
- Experience of applying NICE compliant therapies relevant to the population (e.g. Behavioural approaches/PBS, managing challenging behaviours, intervention for populations with a learning disability diagnosis).
- An ability to communicate difficult information with sensitivity, empathy and reassurance.
- Knowledge, understanding and experience of working with service users from diverse ethnic, economic and cultural backgrounds.
Knowledge
Essential criteria
- An awareness of NHS Plan, NSF and clinical governance priorities
- Knowledge of learning disability populations including autism presentations, inpatient/acute psychology and of evidence based psychological treatments
- Developed knowledge and skills in the use of methods of psychological assessment, intervention and management. (E)
Desirable criteria
- Knowledge of research, design and methodology. (D)
- Knowledge of PBS and trauma-informed models. (E)
- Familiarity with NELFT services and borough-specific pathways. (D)
Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Application numbers
If you require any additional support during the application process please contact [email protected]. We are happy to make reasonable adjustments to support you throughout the recruitment journey.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Mariatu Kanu
- Job title
- Intensive Support Team Manager
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 07394097598
- Additional information
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