Driven by our Trust values: Honesty, Empathy, Ambition, Respect; the Trust's vision is to provide high quality care to the diverse communities we serve to make their lives better.
We are passionate about creating an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity. Our cultural diversity, long term conditions and disabilities, and LGBTQIA+ staff networks are a key part of this commitment, creating positive change and helping build an inclusive culture across the Trust.
Different ideas, experiences and backgrounds make us stronger and more creative, and applications from all walks of life are welcomed - our processes ensure that all applicants are treated fairly at every stage of the recruitment process.
Options for flexible working are considered for all roles within CCS, including job share opportunities, compressed hours, annualised hours, tailored working patterns and more. If you are interested in flexible working, please talk to the recruiting manager for this vacancy.
Please note, the selection processes at Cambridgeshire Community Services are in place to ensure we recruit candidates with the right values and skills. The use of AI in applications is monitored, and we remain watchful of candidates who misuse these tools to generate an application that doesn't accurately reflect their skills.
We have an exciting opportunity in Bedfordshire and Luton for a Specialist ASD Teacher or ASD Practitioner to join our Early Intervention Team.
The Early Intervention Team, part of the Community Paediatric Service, provides support and advice to young people, their families, and education professionals while they await assessment.
This position offers proactive, needs-led support to school-aged children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) who live in Bedfordshire and Luton and have been referred for investigations into social communication difficulties.
The post holder will have autonomy to manage their own caseload and work closely with schools and service partners to provide advice, identify needs, and plan interventions that support children and young people's communication, social skills, learning, and development.
We are seeking someone with experience and a passion for working in the community as part of a multidisciplinary team. The ideal candidate will take a lead role in providing early, collaborative support for children on the ASD/SEND diagnostic pathway, helping them reach their full potential. The successful applicant will be a qualified teacher with a strong interest in ASD and SEND.
Main duties of the job
This position forms part of a needs-led support offer for school-aged children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) who live in Bedfordshire and Luton. These children have been referred to either Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust (CCSNHST) - Bedfordshire & Luton Community Paediatric Service - or East London Foundation Trust (ELFT) Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS), and are currently on the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) diagnostic pathway.
The post holder will act as the key contact within the Trusts for children referred to these services who are awaiting commencement of the ASD/SEND clinical pathway. This role provides autonomy to manage caseloads and make decisions in line with policy and procedure.
Working for our organisation
Rated 'Outstanding' by the Care Quality Commission, we are proud to provide high quality innovative services across most of the east of England that enable people to receive care closer to home and live healthier lives.
There's one reason why our services are outstanding - and that's our amazing staff who, for the seventh year running, rated us highly in the national staff survey.
If you share our passion for innovative and high-quality care delivery, then please submit your application and join us on our exciting journey as a leading-edge specialist community provider. All are welcome to apply, and our promise to you is a culture which prioritises staff engagement and development.
Additional responsibilities
Provide information and advice on the nature and management of autism spectrum condition in mainstream schools in relation to children on the ND diagnostic pathway.
The post holder will be available for key informal and formal case discussions with clinicians, as well as ensuring community interventions are embedded early within settings.
Advise on interventions and strategies that may have been implemented by school/early years setting to support the child/young person and work in collaboration to monitor progress and any adjustments needed.
Observe children & young people within the school/early years environment (as required) to gain further information and insight of the child's challenges.
Identify and plan interventions for children with autism spectrum conditions to be delivered by Family Support Worker- SEND and other colleagues. Monitoring progress and making necessary adjustments to meet the needs of the child/young person.
Write reports and organise interventions to impact upon pupils' progress with communication and social skills; advise schools on the appropriate use of specialist resources suitable for pupils with autism.
Work in collaboration with system partners to plan, organise training and information for a range of audiences, including schools and parents, on the nature of difficulties associated with Autism.
Liaise with the voluntary sector and support initiatives in local mainstream settings.
Person Specification
Safeguarding - Essential
* Ability to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults
* Demonstrates understanding of safeguarding issues
* Appreciates the significance of safeguarding and interprets this accurately for all individual children and young people/vulnerable adults whatever their life circumstances.
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and will require a DBS check for any previous criminal convictions.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require Skilled Worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside other applications. For more info, visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants applying for UK entry clearance must present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided in for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Guidance can be found on the Criminal records checks for overseas applicants page.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For details, see the NHS Careers website.
Note: The specific role being advertised will be in employed by Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust, as part of a group merging of NHS trusts from 1 April 2025.
Our safe recruitment process includes pre-employment checks such as DBS and driving license validation if applicable. By applying, you authorize the Trust to confirm previous NHS service details via the Inter Authority Transfer process.
All correspondence will be via email. If not invited to interview within 2 weeks of the closing date, your application was unsuccessful. Keep an eye on our vacancies for future opportunities.
Recognised Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and evidence of attendance on relevant courses are essential. Desirable qualifications include ADOS/BOSA/3DI training & assessments, SENDCo experience/qualification.
Essential experience includes substantial teaching experience and working with children with ASD. Skills include needs assessment, record keeping, and collaborative communication with professionals and families. A DBS check is required.
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