Job overview
I’m excited to offer this opportunity to a forward thinking and proactive Senior Positive Behaviour Support Practitioner.
We work in a very person-centered way and people with learning disabilities and their families are at the center entre of what we do. To achieve this, we carry out joint assessments, share our professional knowledge and work in partnership with our dedicated team administrators.
You will provide direct clinical oversight, support and a steer to other PBS practitioners and workers in the service.
In 2021, the service was nationally recognised and received a ‘highly commended’ accolade from the National Pharmacy Awards. In 2022 we reached the finals at the National Learning Disability and Autism Awards and later that year received the Trust’s ‘Outstanding Clinical Team of the year. More recently in 2025, we were recognised for ‘Outstanding Patient Experience’ from our Speech & language therapists and nationally, from the ‘Beyond Words’ charity for the ‘Most Inspirational Outcome’.
Main duties of the job
You will work as an integral member of the Team whilst having responsibility for a designated caseload (including clinical oversight of other PBS Practitioners). The post holder will be expected to positively represent the needs and rights of people with learning disabilities, tackling inequalities and improving access to identified services in the statutory and 3rd sectors
You will provide direct clinical oversight, support and a steer to other PBS practitioners and workers in the service and will work in partnership with generic health services, service users and carers to support the implementation of their formulated PBS strategies.
You will undertake robust behaviour assessments & formulations/strategies and have a sound understanding of risk assessments and strategies. You will need excellent communication skills between disciplines and across organizations.
This role is ideal for a very experienced PBS Practitioner with substantive senior experience to lead & mentor PBS and other colleagues and carers in providing a bespoke and personalized response to service users who have behaviours of concern/challenging
Working for our organisation
West London NHS Trust is one of the most diverse healthcare providers in the UK, delivering a range of mental health and physical healthcare and community services. The Trust runs Broadmoor Hospital, one of three high secure hospitals in the country, with an international reputation.
Our high secure services care for patients from South of England and we provide low and medium secure services across eight London boroughs. The Trust also provides mental and physical healthcare in three London boroughs (Ealing, Hounslow and Hammersmith & Fulham). We employ over 5,000 staff, of whom 59% are BME. Our turnover for 2024-25 is over £500m.
The Trust is rated as ‘Good’ overall by the Care Quality Commission. Forensic services are rated as ‘Outstanding’.
The Trust is an established partner and contributor in the development of the evolving North West London Integrated Care System and the Integrated Care Board. The Trust leads the NW London Children and Adolescent Mental Health provider collaborative.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The Candidate Pack provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. Please view as attached
The person specification below is not the full person specification, but outlines the criteria against which your application form will be assessed.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
1. Registered with BACB and holding the full BCBA qualification OR Registered with UK-SBA and holding the UKBA (cert) OR Registered with the UK-SBA and holding the aUKBA (cert) – but actively working towards full UKBA certification (within a defined time frame) NB: Registered nurses, OTs or other clinical disciplines WITH one of above additional certifications/registration are also eligible to apply for the position
2. Holds a master’s degree in Behaviour Analysis
Desirable criteria
3. Member of relevant professional associations and special interest groups as they relate to people with learning disabilities and PBS practice
4. Leadership or management qualification
Experience
Essential criteria
5. Substantial post qualifying experience at a more senior level relating to PBS practice
6. Substantial experience of behaviour formulations, functional assessments, positive behavioural support plans (PBS), active support and wider model of care
7. Extensive experience of implementing PBS approaches in all practice settings (e.g. home, residential, education, day services etc)
8. Experience of working with people who have mental health difficulties and those detained under the Mental Health Act
9. Experience of working with acute physical and mental health service providers
Desirable criteria
10. Experience of clinical audit and or developing team resources, pathways etc
Knowledge and skills
Essential criteria
11. Leadership and supervisory management skills (in a variety of settings)
12. Extensive theoretical knowledge of behavioural assessments/PBS model, including conducting functional analysis
13. Knowledge of the mental health needs of people with a learning disability
14. Good knowledge of clinical governance and its ‘working’ application
15. Extensive knowledge of current legislation and good practice guidance relevant to the support of people with a LD who have challenging behaviour and/or mental health needs
16. Ability to formulate and implement robust risk assessments
17. Sound knowledge and experience of Liberty Protection Safeguards (LPS) and mental capacity assessments and wider practice
18. Sound working knowledge of safeguarding adult/child protection procedures
19. Effective working within a multi-agency setting (inc across agencies)
20. Highly effective communication skills using written, verbal and non-verbal skills
21. Able to manage a multi-disciplinary team meetings (and teams) and provide effective leadership to other professionals
22. Advanced skills and ability to formulate behavioural assessments and oversee the implementation of PBS plans across a range of settings
23. To undertake teaching and modelling (where required)
24. Ability to provide effective debriefing and facilitate opportunities for organisational learning
25. Ability to participate in strategic planning for people with challenging behaviours and/or mental health needs
26. Ability to participate in strategic planning for people with challenging behaviours and/or mental health needs
27. Ability to remain objectivate in highly challenging situations and to support others appropriately
28. Ability to support integrated working in a health and social care setting
29. Robust understanding of the diverse physical health needs/issues/challenges of people with learning disabilities
30. Understanding of the Mental Health Act and how that works in practice
Desirable criteria
31. Knowledge of cultural and ethnic diversity and how that impacts on case work
Personal qualities/other
Essential criteria
32. Treating people with dignity and respect and respecting diverse professional opinions and views
33. Ability to work under pressure (when required)
34. Must have initiative and ability to carry out responsibility
35. Must be committed to working in a multi-disciplinary way
36. Willingness to work flexible hours on occasions in response to service user/service needs
37. Satisfactory completion of all pre-employment checks
Desirable criteria
38. Working knowledge of MAKATON and other communication mediums
39. Car driver