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Job summary

Main area
Autism Specialist Practitioner
Grade
Band 6
Contract
Permanent: Part time 0.6 WTE
Hours
Part time - 22.5 hours per week (One working day must be Thursday, hours are 9am-5pm, very occasional late working required a few times a year for events)
Job ref
363-TH7878180
Employer
East London NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Tower Hamlets Autism Service
Town
London
Salary
£46,419 - £55,046 per annum pro rata Inc HCA
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
14/04/2026 23:59
Interview date
21/04/2026

Employer heading

East London NHS Foundation Trust logo

Autism Specialist Practitioner

Band 6

ELFT has long been recognised as a centre of excellence for mental and health care, innovation and improvement. So it is a very exciting time for you to come and work for us. Our mission is to make a positive difference to people's lives by improving 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.

Job overview

Autism Specialist Practitioner, Band 6, Tower Hamlets Autism Service (THAS), 0.6 WTE

We are looking for an enthusiastic and experienced clinician (Speech and Language Therapist, Nurse or Social Worker) with an interest in developing their skills and experience in diagnostically assessing and working with autistic adults. The successful candidate will work as part of a well-integrated, capable multidisciplinary team delivering high quality evidence-based diagnostic assessment and post diagnostic support services for this group.

 

The Tower Hamlets Autism Service (THAS) is a specialist diagnostic and brief intervention service. Designed in accordance with NICE guidelines, we operate an open referral system, accepting referrals from any source when it is thought that an adult living in Tower Hamlets may have an autistic spectrum condition.  We use screening tools and specialist assessments (ADOS-2) alongside clinical experience and expertise to diagnose autism spectrum conditions in adults (without a learning a disability).

Main duties of the job

The main purpose of the role is: 

- As part of the multidisciplinary team, to screen and assess for autism spectrum conditions in adults (without a learning disability).

- To plan, organise and facilitate post diagnostic support, individual and group interventions, including profession specific assessments and interventions to those diagnosed by the service.

- To provide specialist advice, training, consultation and liaison to support other ELFT staff, social care staff, Primary Care Colleagues and staff in third sector organisations working with autistic adults.

This is an exciting career opportunity for a dedicated applicant with existing direct experience assessing and working with autistic adults, or for those with relevant experience who may wish to specialise in this developing field. 

Working for our organisation

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.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Kindly refer to the job description and person specification that is attached to the vacancy profile.

Person specification

Other

Essential criteria
  • Highly motivated and able to work with a level of autonomy.
  • IT competent using word, excel and clinical note systems.

Education/ Qualification/ Training

Essential criteria
  • Diploma/Degree in Social Work, Occupational Therapy, Mental Health nursing or Speech and Language Therapy.
  • HCPC registration / or Nursing and Midwifery Council registration.
Desirable criteria
  • Trained in the use of ADOS-2.

Experience

Essential criteria
  • Minimum two years post registration experience as a qualified professional.
  • Experience of undertaking assessments and care planning.
  • Experience of working in a multi-cultural setting, including working with interpreters.
  • Experience of working with autism and neurodevelopmental conditions and / or mental health conditions.
Desirable criteria
  • Experience of facilitating groups

Knowledge and Skills

Essential criteria
  • A thorough knowledge of Autistic Spectrum Condition, major mental health disorders and relevant, contemporary, evidence-based intervention strategies/models.
  • Knowledge of what clinical governance is and skills in quality improvement of services.
  • Knowledge of mental health act, mental capacity act, and other relevant legislation.
  • Knowledge and skills in risk assessment and management

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Capital Nurse, LondonCommitted to being an Inclusive EmployerApprenticeships logoNo smoking policyPositive about disabled peopleAge positiveHSJ Best places to workArmed Forces Covenant (Silver Award)Mindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.Disability confident employerCare quality commission - OutstandingStonewall equality policy. Equality and justice for lesbians, gay men, bisexual and trans people.

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.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Gemma Nicholson
Job title
Senior Practitioner
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
020 3487 1312
Additional information

Available Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 9am - 5pm to talk through the role or for an informal visit.

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