Overview
Job Overview
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Role Title: Band 6 Mental Health Practitioner (Neurodiversity Specialist)
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Location: Springleigh Clinic, Waterloo Road, Stalybridge, SK15 2AU
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Hours: 37.5 hours per week (Full-time)
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Band: Band 6
Role Summary
We are seeking a motivated and experienced Band 6 Mental Health Practitioner to join our dynamic team at Springleigh Clinic. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in mental health services, with a specific preference for candidates possessing prior experience in conducting initial neurodiversity assessments for children and young people.
You will play a vital role in supporting young people and their families by providing comprehensive, high-quality neurodevelopmental assessments for those on the Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC) and/or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) pathways.
Key Responsibilities & Main Duties
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Clinical Assessments: Complete structured initial neurodiversity assessments for young people referred to the ADHD and/or Autism assessment pathways.
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Information Gathering: Conduct detailed developmental history-taking, clinical interviews, and behavioral observations with young people, families, and educational settings.
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Multidisciplinary Working: Collaborate closely with a multidisciplinary team (including CAMHS clinicians, pediatricians, occupational therapists, and speech and language therapists) to triangulate clinical findings and reach consensus on diagnostic outcomes.
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Report Writing: Produce comprehensive, clear, and evidence-based diagnostic reports and formulation summaries within agreed clinical timeframes.
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Care Planning & Signposting: Provide post-assessment feedback to families, offering clear guidance, psychoeducation, and appropriate signposting to local support services, interventions, and community resources.
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Safeguarding: Ensure all clinical practices comply with local safeguarding policies and procedures for children and young people.
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Clinical Governance: Participate in clinical supervision, peer reviews, team meetings, and continuous professional development (CPD) activities to maintain high clinical standards.
Person Specification
Essential Criteria:
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Professional registration in a relevant healthcare discipline (e.g., Registered Mental Health Nurse, Occupational Therapist, Social Worker, or equivalent relevant professional registration).
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Demonstrated post-registration experience working within child and adolescent mental health or neurodevelopmental services.
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Sound knowledge and understanding of neurodiversity, specifically ADHD and Autism in young people.
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Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills, with the ability to convey sensitive information empathetically and clearly to families and multi-agency partners.
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Ability to manage a busy caseload, prioritize work effectively, and meet clinical targets.
Desirable Criteria:
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Direct, hands-on experience in completing initial neurodiversity (ADHD/Autism) assessments.
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Familiarity with standardized assessment tools (e.g., ADOS-2, ADI-R, DIVA, or similar diagnostic frameworks).
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Post-graduate training or specialized qualifications in neurodevelopmental conditions.
