Job overview
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an Allied Health Professional, Mental Health Nurse or Psychologist to join our rapidly developing multi-agency autism assessment team. We welcome the diversity that different disciplines bring to our team and we are excited to welcome a candidate that is passionate about neurodiversity and accompanying young people and families along the assessment journey.
The ASC pathway is in the early stages of development, meaning we are looking to recruit someone with experience and confidence in leading a team and implementing initiatives. The post holder would support the Neuro Constellation Lead in allocation, waiting list initiatives, management of risk and providing regular team supervision. They will also take the lead on complex assessments - for example where there are multiple alternative formulations.
Main duties of the job
The ASC pathway focuses specifically on assessment, meaning the majority of the applicant's caseload would be autism assessment. This will involve exploring alternative formulations, including attachment, trauma, other neurodevelopmental conditions, mental health difficulties, learning needs, etc. The ASC Pathway supports Specialist CAMHS in autism-focussed training and development and contributes to group initiatives within Specialist CAMHS.
Working for our organisation
The ASC Pathway is multi-agency, receiving input from Speech and Language Therapy, Paediatricians, and Inclusion Support. We adopt a Key Worker model, where each young person is allocated to a single worker, who is responsible for gathering relevant information. Key workers on the ASC Pathway will reach out to additional diverse professionals/services, including Mental Health, Occupational Therapy, Social Care and Schools.
Our team values the input of different professionals and aims to offer families a comprehensive and holistic assessment.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Clinical Responsibilities
- Provides specialist autism assessment for clients with complex conditions based on the appropriate use, interpretation and integration of data from a variety of sources.
- Responsible for recognising the potential for or signs of client harm, abuse or neglect, including poor clinical practice, reporting all such concerns and taking all reasonable steps to protect the client. Responsible for identifying and reporting concerns regarding the safeguarding of children who may be at risk.
- Undertakes risk assessment and risk management for individual clients and provides specialist advice to other professionals on aspects of risk assessment and risk management.
- To liaise with other professionals working within the NHS, Social Inclusion and Education and the voluntary sector on matters relating to client care that have implications for the service
Person specification
Experience
Essential criteria
1. Experience assessing ASC
2. Values of inclusivity
Desirable criteria
3. ADOS experience
4. ADIR/DISCO/ Experience of formal ASC assessment