Job overview
Vacancy for ASD (Autistic Spectrum Disorder) Liaison Lead, Band 7, 37.5 Hours
Based at Dudley Child & Adolescent Mental Health Service, The Elms Health Centre, Slade Rd, Halesowen, B63 2UR
This is an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic person who has a good understanding of the assessment of Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) to lead the Dudley CAMHS team
Main duties of the job
The post holder will be responsible for overseeing and leading the Dudley CAMHS ASD team. They will need to have excellent inter personal skills and be able to recognise the needs of their patients and work with the patients parents. The successful applicant will be responsible for giving advice and support to parents and colleagues so that care and support is in place to support the process of children being referred into the ASD Clinic and once in the clinic through the assessment process. The post holder will be the liaison person between Dudley CAMHS and our partner agencies as the Black Country reviews their current assessment process for ASD and post diagnostic support. There will be a team of dedicated professionals including Consultant Psychiatrist’s, nurses, psychotherapists, occupational therapists and other professionals that will support the lead and will work closely with this cohort of children.
The post holder will need to demonstrate outstanding leadership skills and have significant skills/knowledge and experience relevant to this post.
Working for our organisation
The post-holder will be joining a supportive and forward-thinking team who pride themselves on their commitment to the continual development and improvement of patient care. Clinical and leadership supervision and continuing professional development, are highly valued. Additionally, there are opportunities to join peer supervision and other groups. We are able to offer great opportunities for career progression, with many members of the service seeking and successfully securing promotions. The post will have active links with, and support from, both the wider CAMHS Service and professionals within the Trust.
CAMHS professionals deal with a wide range of mental health problems. Many children and young people are troubled by emotional, behavioural and psychiatric problems. These can cause worry and distress both to themselves and to those who care for them. A large part of the CAMHS professionals’ work is to identify the problem, understand the causes and advise about what may help.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
To work with other members of the multi-disciplinary CAMHS Team and with colleagues from other services, providing expertise in the care of children and young people with severe and complex mental health needs and their families.
To provide expert advice, support and supervision on a regular basis to a wide ranging workforce on all aspects of safeguarding children where matters can be highly complex and in difficult, sensitive and emotive situations.
To provide professional expertise in the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of care for children and young people in CAMHS.
To provide professional advice and support to other agencies and members of the multi-disciplinary team.
Person specification
Education
Essential criteria
1. Professional qualification in a mental health related subject, e.g. Registered Mental Health Nurse, Learning Disability Nurse, Social Worker, Occupational Therapist.
2. Masters Degree/equivalent experience in CAMHs related field.
3. Evidence of significant experience directly relevant to the post e.g. experience of working directly with ASD on other related conditions, including those with challenging behaviour
4. Training in health related field relevant to the specification of the ASD post
5. Training in - The Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule - Second Edition (ADOS-2)
Desirable criteria
6. Training in the Autism Diagnostic Interview, Revised (ADI-R) assessment tool
Knowledge and Experience
Essential criteria
7. A good understanding of ASD and related conditions and strategies appropriate to their management.
8. Demonstrates extensive experience of working in specialist CAMHS.
Desirable criteria
9. Demonstrates experience of supervising junior staff.