Job summary
- Main area
- Health & Justice
- Grade
- NHS AfC: Band 6
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week
- Job ref
- 333-D-HJ-1849
- Employer
- Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- HMP High Down
- Town
- Sutton
- Salary
- £44,485 - £52,521 pa inc HCAS
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 17/09/2025 23:59
- Interview date
- 26/09/2025
Employer heading
Neurodiversity practitioner
NHS AfC: Band 6
CNWL (Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust) has almost 8,000 staff providing integrated healthcare to a third of London's population, Milton Keynes and areas beyond. We involve service users, carers, the public, staff and partner organisations in the way that we are run.
Our catchment area spans diverse communities, with over 100 first languages spoken. It contains areas of great affluence as well as areas of much deprivation. We are committed to providing services that meet the needs of the people who use them, and we actively encourage involvement from local people who can help make a difference. We’re proud of our diversity and we continue to undertake new initiatives to advance equality for LGBT+, BME and people with disabilities to promote good relations and understanding between our staff.
We are recognised locally, nationally and internationally for providing high quality, innovative healthcare. We aim to employ only the best people, and our experts are frequently called upon to contribute to national health strategy and policy, and many models of our care have been adapted for use in other countries.
We offer a generous relocation package (subject to eligibility assessment) and flexible working options, including bank assignments for most roles. For more information on these and other benefits of working for us, see our Benefits, Reward and Wellbeing page
Become part of our team. We care for you as much as you care for others.
CNWL NHS Foundation Trust are committed to safeguarding all children and vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We follow safe recruitment practices to protect children and vulnerable adults.
Job overview
This is an exciting opportunity to join a newly commissioned Offender Personality Disorder (OPD) Service. The service which is in its early stages of mobilisation will include an OPD outreach service to men within HMP High Down and a specialist residential Psychologically Informed Planned Environment (PIPE) unit for men with learning disabilities. The services form part of the national Men’s OPD pathway and will be a national first.
You will be joining a new staff team that will include psychologists, occupational therapy, a Speech & Language therapist, prison officers and an Advanced Lived Experience Practitioner. We are seeking a compassionate & enthusiastic practitioner who enjoys working as part of a team and assisting service users reach their full potential.
This is a London Pathways Partnership (LPP) service, with CNWL as the lead provider. LPP is a consortium of 5 NHS Trusts working in partnership to deliver a network of services to complex and high-risk service users in London & the Southeast. LPP deliver integrated services, primarily within the OPD pathway across London community & within several local prisons, thus ensuring a supported prison to community pathway. We actively support research and have close relationships with academics from several local universities
Main duties of the job
To identify people (through screening or assessment) with Neurodevelopmental Disorders, including Autism, Attention deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
To work as an independent neurodiversity practitioner with men with personality disorder and learning disability residing on the PIPE and with men in prison presenting with complex & challenging needs as part of the outreach service.
To co-facilitate adapted group and individual psychosocial interventions for men whose communication, thinking style and coping strategies are impacted upon by the presence of a Neurodevelopmental Disorder.
To provide expert neurodiversity knowledge, support & training to support the team and wider establishment provide a neurodiverse aware environment.
To support the men on the PIPE access services in the prison.
Working for our organisation
HMP High Down is in easy reach of London and the surrounding areas, has free parking and offers staff free use of onsite leisure activities.
By joining LPP and CNWL you will be joining a department that provide an array of mental health and OPD services across London and the home counties. Our Surrey prisons are all expanding their neurodiversity provision and you will have access to expert supervision. Our staff are dynamic and welcoming and the networking and CPD opportunities are central to our services ethos. We have active research forums and promote the work we do through academic and clinical forums. All staff are supported with career aspirations and progression.
Excellent staff benefits, our benefit packages are amongst the best in London and include:
- Health and wellbeing services
- Season ticket loans
- Cycle to work scheme
The trust also values its staff and you are entitled to become a member of MyTrustBenefits. MyTrustBenefits is an online portal for all CNWL staff, as well as their family and friends. It offers over 1400 discounts at hundreds of retailers nationwide. Save money on your weekly food shops, toiletries, cosmetics, cinema, meals out, holidays, travel and entertainment. You can also access free online courses on a variety of topics, professional and personal, ranging from business management, languages, law and teaching,
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
You will be joining a new staff team that will include psychologists, occupational therapy, a Speech & Language therapist, prison officers and an Advanced Lived Experience Practitioner. We are seeking a compassionate & enthusiastic practitioner who enjoys working as part of a team and assisting service users reach their full potential.
Person specification
EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS
Essential criteria
- Health and Social Care Profession (Nurse, Mental Health / Learning Disability or Occupational Therapist or Social Worker)
- Evidence of professional development since registration relevant to this role
Desirable criteria
- Post registration qualification that enhances clinical work: CBT, DBT, Dual Diagnosis, etc.
- Mentorship or supervisor qualification
EXPERIENCE
Essential criteria
- Clinical experience of the assessment, treatment or support of people who have Autism, ADHD and or Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities in health or social care settings
- Experience of working with people whose communication skills are impacted upon by neurodevelopmental disorders and where reasonable adjustments need to be made
- Experience of contributing to the formulation or differential diagnosis of individuals with ASD, ADHD and or IDD, where mental illness or other disorder may also be present.
- Experience of working as part of a multi-disciplinary team
- Experience of care co-ordinating within CPA framework or equivalent
- Experience of mentoring or supervising students
Desirable criteria
- Experience of working in a Prison or forensic environment
- Experience of working within a multicultural framework
- Experience of using a trauma informed approach.
- Experience of working in a community setting
- Knowledge and working experience of medication administration for mental health including neurodevelopmental disorders.
SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES
Essential criteria
- Expert in engaging with people with neurodiversity, assessing their needs, designing and delivering appropriate interventions and evaluating the effectiveness of the process.
- Awareness of screening tools and assessments for Autism, ADHD and IDD
- Ability to work effectively as part of a team and independently as appropriate.
- Ability to engage in evidence based practice, with an understanding of care quality (clinical governance).
- Proven ability to work with service users to increase their level of self-determination and resilience.
- Risk assessment and management skills.
- Excellent communication skills both verbal and written
- Excellent IT skills.
- To use supervision positively and effectively.
- Effective time management.
- Knowledge of the needs and rights of service users
- Knowledge of safeguarding frameworks
- Problem solving, stress management & conflict resolution skills.
Desirable criteria
- Knowledge of CPA, Mental Health Act, MAPPA, legislation and policies relevant to prison mental health.
ATTITUDES, APTITUDES, PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS
Essential criteria
- Compassionate & non-judgmental approach.
- Motivated to maintain the highest standards possible in the service.
- Able to accept constructive feedback.
- Able to ask for support where required.
- Flexible
Employer certification / accreditation badges
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
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Caoimhe McAnena
- Job title
- Consultant Psychologist
- Email address
- [email protected]
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