Vacancy details
Vacancy title: Specialist Neurodivergence Improvement Manager
Closing date: 01/05/2026, 16:00
Advertising basis: Secondment
Salary: SEO £47,675 to £56,445
Allowances: None
Work pattern: Full time (applications welcome from part‑time, job share or full‑time)
Duration: Two years
Location(s): Pan Wales
Purpose of post
The post holder will join an integrated team working across health and social care established in 2021 to support neurodivergence policy with clinical knowledge and expertise, and will work closely with the Head of Branch and collaboratively with policy leads. The holder will have direct management responsibility for members of the team and a lead role in continuing the delivery of the Neurodivergence Improvement Programme (NDIP). The programme aims to transform services for neurodivergent children, young people and adults, including autism, ADHD, and Tourette’s syndrome, and to provide additional support for their parents and carers.
Key tasks
* Provide clinical experience and extensive knowledge of neurodivergence to support the cross‑government delivery of the NDIP up to March 2028.
* Manage relationships with a wide range of external stakeholders including the NHS, 3rd sector, social services, regional partnership boards, education and employment.
* Work closely with the Lead for Neurodivergence in NHS P&I to facilitate the transformation of neurodivergence services and systems in Wales.
* Work closely with NHS Performance and Improvement regarding waiting times for children’s neurodevelopmental assessments.
* Establish systems to support people with lived experience of neurodivergence and their families and carers, including children and young people, to be involved in programme delivery and to have regular opportunities to feed in their views on the progress being achieved.
* Develop and maintain programme documentation to monitor progress, including a monitoring framework, risk register and finance monitoring.
* Establish and manage the Programme Board to monitor and report on progress in the three work streams, delivering verbal and written updates as required.
* Develop strong collaborative relationships with work stream leads responsible for the delivery of actions, establishing a regular exchange of information on progress.
* Oversee and manage the Secretariat for the Neurodivergence Ministerial Advisory Group, including preparing update papers and regular communication with group members.
* Provide and deliver regular progress reports to the Ministerial Advisory Group, Programme Board and to the Minister for Mental Health and Well‑being.
* Manage and monitor programme budget.
* Draft briefings, statements, correspondence and other ministerial business in relation to the programme.
Development opportunities
Gain a deeper understanding of the wider policy and legislative context and processes within Welsh Government.
Job Specific Criteria
Essential
* Substantial clinical expertise and hands‑on experience within neurodevelopmental services, demonstrating an in‑depth understanding of diagnostic pathways, multidisciplinary practice, and the needs of neurodivergent children, young people, and adults and their families.
* Proven experience in delivering local government and health board policy commitments, including the ability to monitor, analyse and report progress, provide evidence‑based advice, and manage deadlines across a complex programme of work.
* Demonstrated ability to work effectively with a wide range of partners and professionals, including clinical teams, policy officials, third‑sector organisations and senior stakeholders to drive forward programme objectives.
* Strong ability to manage multiple workstreams simultaneously, balancing clinical, operational and policy considerations, and responding flexibly to competing demands.
* Excellent written communication skills, with experience producing high‑quality papers, briefings, and formal government communications relating to clinical services and policy.
Desirable
* Knowledge and experience of working with regional partnership boards and working across health boards, local authorities, education and the voluntary sector.
* An awareness of neurodevelopmental conditions, working with neurodiverse people and in the Welsh Government neurodivergence policy context.
* Ability to communicate in Welsh.
* Experience of working within a secondment or temporary seconded post (expected to end on 31/03/2028).
* Relevant knowledge and experience of the Welsh Government's neurodivergence policy environment.
Nationality requirements
* UK nationals
* Nationals of the Republic of Ireland
* Nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
* Nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre‑settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
* Nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre‑settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
* Individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
* Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Welsh language requirements
Welsh language skills are not essential for this post, but are desirable and will be considered if two or more candidates receive the same score at the application or interview stage.
Contact point
For further information regarding the post: neurodiversity@gov.wales
#J-18808-Ljbffr