Specialist Learning Disability Nurse - Band 5 to 6 Development Post
South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Trust
Closing date: 06 May 2026
We offer a band 5 to 6 development role for a registered learning disability nurse within our Specialist CAMHS Service as part of the neurodevelopmental pathway.
The development role is a 12‑18‑month position that includes additional training and support. Successful candidates will progress to Band 6 after 12‑18 months if all agreed competencies are achieved in line with the development plan.
We are looking for candidates with an interest in:
* Working with people with neurodevelopmental conditions (including intellectual disability, autism and ADHD)
* Systemic information gathering with internal, external services and family/support networks
* Clinical observation skills and ability to build positive rapport with complex children
* MDT working, listening to colleagues and sharing your own experience and understanding
* Undertaking standardised assessments
Experience of working within a CAMHS, forensic or LAC service would be advantageous.
All employees of the Trust are strongly encouraged to have an up-to-date flu vaccination to protect staff and patients.
Main duties of the job
Our pathway currently offers assessment for young people with cognitive, social and communication difficulties. Assessments include completing developmental histories, Autism Diagnostic Interview (ADI), Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS), Conners, Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS), as well as additional assessments when indicated. We aim to build resources within the pathway to provide individualised support following diagnosis.
We work as an MDT throughout the assessment, formulation and diagnosis process and produce succinct, helpful and clear reports detailing the outcome of assessments. In addition to supporting and offering psycho‑education to children on our pathway, we offer consultation to staff to help tailor interventions to their needs.
The service will meet your development needs through a comprehensive induction, bespoke training and development package and quality supervision plan.
At the time of advertising, this role meets the minimum requirements set by UK Visas and Immigration to sponsor candidates to work in the UK.
Equal Opportunities
We encourage and welcome applications from all protected characteristic groups, value diversity and want our workforce to be reflective of our communities.
Job responsibilities
As a band 5 staff nurse, you will be the named professional for a number of clients who require assessment and treatment on an outreach or inpatient basis.
You will apply a systematic approach to care and provide skilled nursing interventions as agreed by the Multi‑disciplinary Team.
Key responsibilities include:
* Carry out nursing duties in accordance with the NMC Code of Professional Conduct and ensure all Professional Standards and Trust Policies are complied with.
* Use professional knowledge, skills and experience to assess, plan, implement and evaluate programmes of care to meet identified needs with the aim of promoting positive health.
* Complete specific assessments including epilepsy, mental health, behaviour which challenges services.
* Be aware of clinical effectiveness and ensure interventions are based on evidence‑based practice and linked to outcome measures.
* Ensure all nursing records are current and accurate.
* Plan and prioritise care in accordance with available resources.
* Provide proactive health promotion advice, education and guidance to clients/carers during episodes of care.
* Ensure all medication interventions comply with the Trust Drug Policy and the NMC Standard for Administration of Medicines.
* Establish close working links with the Community Learning Disability Team and participate in multi‑disciplinary team meetings and admission and discharge process.
* Liaise effectively with other agencies to provide an overall healthcare package for people with learning disabilities.
* Act as named nurse and be responsible for the ongoing assessment and treatment of clients ensuring emotional and professional support to clients and carers during episodes of assessment and treatment.
Personal Development
Responsibilities include:
* Participate in the appraisal and development process with the Team Manager.
* Maintain a continuous development portfolio in line with PREPP requirements.
* Access and provide clinical supervision in accordance with Trust Policy and NMC guidelines.
* Accept personal responsibility for registration in line with NMC policies and procedures.
* Attend Professional Nurses meetings and ensure professional knowledge and competencies are maintained.
Special Knowledge & Skills
* Current philosophies underpinning learning disability.
* Planning and organisation.
* Good verbal and written communication skills.
* Ability to work with patients therapeutically on a 1:1 basis or in groups.
* Awareness of the skills in the prevention and management of violence and aggression.
* Ability to coach, train, mentor and act as a role model to other team members and learners.
* Ability to work without direct supervision.
* Ability to work flexibly.
* Ability to commute between the various sites as applicable.
* Ability to travel around the Trust as appropriate to the role.
* Standard setting/audit.
* Research/evidence based practice.
* Clinical Governance.
* Teaching and assessing.
* Leadership ability.
Experience
* Experience of working as part of an MDT.
* Some experience of specialist assessment & treatment services within learning disabilities, in particular working with people who challenge services.
* Involvement in quality initiatives.
* Worked with people with dual diagnosis, i.e. learning disabilities and mental health, physical disabilities, sensory disabilities.
* Application of Mental Health Act and CPA to practice.
* Taken regular charge of a service provision, e.g. residential unit.
* Involvement in a systematic approach to care.
* Working as a member of an MDT.
* Working with carers.
* Worked with people with challenging behaviour.
Personal Attributes
* Commitment to adopt the Trusts core Values and Behavioural standards.
* Motivated to work with individuals with challenging behaviour.
* Professionalism.
* Common sense approach.
* Initiative, tact and diplomacy.
* Positive self‑image.
* Effective team member.
* Ability to cope with change.
* Commitment to high clinical standards when working with patients.
* Reliable.
Training
* Evidence of personal professional development.
* Clinical supervision.
* Physical disabilities.
* Sensory disabilities.
Physical Attributes
* Ability to work 24 hour rotation.
* Ability to undertake the duties and demands of the post. A satisfactory sickness record over the previous 2 years (subject to the need to act with fairness and equality of opportunity, particularly where the sickness is related to a disability and/or pregnancy).
Qualifications
* 1st level registration in learning disability nursing or RMN (with relevant Learning Disability experience).
* Experience of mentoring/supporting learners or ability to demonstrate the skills required for effective mentoring.
* NVQ D32/33.
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.
Address
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service Wetherby Youth Offending Institute
Salary
£32,073 to £48,117 a year (Band 5 - 6 dependant on experience)
Contract
Permanent
Reference number
C9378-F0705
Job locations
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service Wetherby Youth Offending Institute
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