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Posted 5 day(s) ago
Reference: 2448610
Job summary
Important Sponsorship Information for this post: We are currently unable to offer a certificate of sponsorship for this post.
An excellent opportunity has arisen to join the Oxleas Adult Autism Service as we seek to appoint an Assistant Psychologist to be part of the Autism Diagnostic Team.
The Oxleas Adult Autism Service supports adults with autism who either do not have a learning disability or have mild learning disabilities that do not meet the threshold for LD services.
The Diagnostic Assessment Service provides highly specialized diagnostic assessments for adults with suspected autism who may also present with complex mental health and psychiatric comorbidities.
In the Diagnostic Assessment Service, the post holder will be a member of our multidisciplinary team, assisting with the assessment and diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder. Responsibilities include assisting in the formulation and delivery of diagnostic assessments for individuals with suspected autism. This involves supporting the delivery of neurodevelopmental clinical interviews, developmental history interviews, structured and semi-structured diagnostic assessments, drafting specialist reports, and supporting formulation and outcome within the diagnostic process.
The position offers significant potential for the successful candidate to pursue specialist interests and develop highly specialized skills in discipline-specific assessments and support of adults with autism.
Main duties of the job
- To assist in the formulation and delivery of diagnostic assessments for people with suspected Autism without Learning Disabilities and with complex mental health and psychiatric disorders. This will involve support in the delivery of specialist neurodevelopmental clinical interviews, specialist developmental histories interviews, drafting specialist reports and supporting formulation and outcome within the diagnostic process
- Offer effective, person-centered, evidence-based assessment, support, and intervention to adults with autism at risk of acute care admission, under the guidance of a clinical psychologist and an MDT as part of the Autism Partnership Programme.
- To liaise with Community Mental Health and acute care teams to support the care of service users involving the systemic treatment and/or management of a client's care, under the supervision of a qualified professional psychologist, in community settings.
- To assist the service within the referral pathway by screening referral information provided by clients and referrers in order to support the decision for clinical eligibility within the service.
- To assist in the coordination and running of Autism specialist training.
- To assist in the development of a psychologically based framework of understanding and care to the benefit of all clients of the service, across all settings where care takes place.
About us
Oxleas offers a wide range of NHS healthcare services to people in community and secure environment settings. Our services include community health care such as district nursing and speech and language therapy, care for people with learning disabilities and mental health care such as psychiatry, nursing and therapies. Our multidisciplinary teams look after people of all ages and we work in close partnership with other parts of the NHS, local councils and the voluntary sector and through our new provider collaboratives. Our 4,300 members of staff work in many different settings including hospitals, clinics, prisons, secure hospitals, children's centres, schools and people's homes.We have over 125 sites in a variety of locations in the South of England. In London we operate within the Boroughs of Bexley, Bromley Greenwich and into Kent. We manage hospital sites including Queen Mary's Hospital, Sidcup and Memorial Hospital, Woolwich, as well as the Bracton Centre, our medium secure unit for people with mental health needs. We are the largest NHS provider of prison health services providing healthcare to prisons within Devon, Dorset, Bristol, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire, Kent and South London. We are proud of the care we provide and our people.
Our purpose is to improve lives by providing the best possible care to our patients and their families. This is strengthened by our new values:
- We're Kind
- We're Fair
- We Listen
- We Care
Details
Date posted
26 October 2026
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 4
Salary
£33,262 to £36,027 a year pa inc
Contract
Fixed term
Duration
12 months
Working pattern
Full-time
Reference number
277-8367047-ALD1
Job locations
Queen Marys Hospital
Frognal Avenue
Sidcup
DA14 6LT
United Kingdom
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To assist in the formulation and delivery of diagnostic assessments for people with suspected Autism without Learning Disabilities and with complex mental health and psychiatric disorders. This will involve support in the delivery of specialist neurodevelopmental clinical interviews, specialist developmental histories interviews, drafting specialist reports and supporting formulation and outcome within the diagnostic process
- Offer effective, person-centered, evidence-based assessment, support, and intervention to adults with autism at risk of acute care admission, under the guidance of a clinical psychologist and an MDT as part of the Autism Partnership Programme.
- To liaise with Community Mental Health and acute care teams to support the care of service users involving the systemic treatment and/or management of a clients care, under the supervision of a qualified professional psychologist, in community settings.
- To assist the service within the referral pathway by screening referral information provided by clients and referrers in order to support the decision for clinical eligibility within the service.
- To assist in the coordination and running of Autism specialist training.
- To assist in the development of a psychologically based framework of understanding and care to the benefit of all clients of the service, across all settings where care takes place.
- In common with all clinical psychologists, to receive regular clinical supervision in accordance with professional practice guidelines.
- To develop skills and competencies that assist in the delivery of current duties
- To contribute to the training and support of other staff and volunteers in the service.
- To contribute to implementation, monitoring and evaluation of projects/audit/research that develop the clinical effectiveness of provision for autistic adults, sharing findings and statistical information as required in a timely manner.
- To be flexible in the undertaking of any other duties as requested by line managers to meet the changing needs of the service
Leadership and Management responsibilities
- To assist in the design and implementation of service development projects within the service as required.
- To receive regular clinical supervision and act always in accordance with professional, service and Trust practice guidelines.
Clinical
- To assist in the formulation and delivery of diagnostic assessments for people with suspected Autism without Learning Disabilities and with complex mental health and psychiatric disorders. This will involve support in the delivery of specialist neurodevelopmental clinical interviews, specialist developmental histories interviews, drafting specialist reports and supporting formulation and outcome within the diagnostic process
- To provide clinically effective, person centred, evidence based assessment, support and intervention under guidance and supervision of a clinical psychologist and a wider MDT to Adults with Autism at risk of Acute Care admission as part of the Autism Partnership Programme.
- To assist the service within the referral pathway by screening referral information provided by clients and referrers in order to support the decision for clinical eligibility within the service
- To liaise with Community Mental Health and acute care teams to support the care of service users involving the systemic treatment and/or management of a clients care, under the supervision of a qualified professional psychologist, in community settings
- To assist in the development of a psychologically based framework of understanding and care to the benefit of all clients of the service, across all settings where care takes place.
- To demonstrate theoretical knowledge of autism to inform implementation of specialist diagnostic assessment under the supervision of a clinical psychologist.
- To respect the individuality, values, cultural and religious diversity of service users and contribute to the provision of a service sensitive to these needs
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To assist in the formulation and delivery of diagnostic assessments for people with suspected Autism without Learning Disabilities and with complex mental health and psychiatric disorders. This will involve support in the delivery of specialist neurodevelopmental clinical interviews, specialist developmental histories interviews, drafting specialist reports and supporting formulation and outcome within the diagnostic process
- Offer effective, person-centered, evidence-based assessment, support, and intervention to adults with autism at risk of acute care admission, under the guidance of a clinical psychologist and an MDT as part of the Autism Partnership Programme.
- To liaise with Community Mental Health and acute care teams to support the care of service users involving the systemic treatment and/or management of a clients care, under the supervision of a qualified professional psychologist, in community settings.
- To assist the service within the referral pathway by screening referral information provided by clients and referrers in order to support the decision for clinical eligibility within the service.
- To assist in the coordination and running of Autism specialist training.
- To assist in the development of a psychologically based framework of understanding and care to the benefit of all clients of the service, across all settings where care takes place.
- In common with all clinical psychologists, to receive regular clinical supervision in accordance with professional practice guidelines.
- To develop skills and competencies that assist in the delivery of current duties
- To contribute to the training and support of other staff and volunteers in the service.
- To contribute to implementation, monitoring and evaluation of projects/audit/research that develop the clinical effectiveness of provision for autistic adults, sharing findings and statistical information as required in a timely manner.
- To be flexible in the undertaking of any other duties as requested by line managers to meet the changing needs of the service
Leadership and Management responsibilities
- To assist in the design and implementation of service development projects within the service as required.
- To receive regular clinical supervision and act always in accordance with professional, service and Trust practice guidelines.
Clinical
- To assist in the formulation and delivery of diagnostic assessments for people with suspected Autism without Learning Disabilities and with complex mental health and psychiatric disorders. This will involve support in the delivery of specialist neurodevelopmental clinical interviews, specialist developmental histories interviews, drafting specialist reports and supporting formulation and outcome within the diagnostic process
- To provide clinically effective, person centred, evidence based assessment, support and intervention under guidance and supervision of a clinical psychologist and a wider MDT to Adults with Autism at risk of Acute Care admission as part of the Autism Partnership Programme.
- To assist the service within the referral pathway by screening referral information provided by clients and referrers in order to support the decision for clinical eligibility within the service
- To liaise with Community Mental Health and acute care teams to support the care of service users involving the systemic treatment and/or management of a clients care, under the supervision of a qualified professional psychologist, in community settings
- To assist in the development of a psychologically based framework of understanding and care to the benefit of all clients of the service, across all settings where care takes place.
- To demonstrate theoretical knowledge of autism to inform implementation of specialist diagnostic assessment under the supervision of a clinical psychologist.
- To respect the individuality, values, cultural and religious diversity of service users and contribute to the provision of a service sensitive to these needs
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- An upper second class 2:1 honours degree or higher in psychology at undergraduate level or Masters conversion course at Merit or higher conveying eligibility for GBC
Desirable
- Further post graduate qualification in relevant areas of professional psychology, mental health practice and/or research design and analysis. Merit or higher
Experience
Essential
- Professional experience with people with mental health problems and/or neurodiversity
- Experience of working clinically with autistic adults
Desirable
- Experience of working clinically within an NHS setting
- Experience of completing risk assessments
- Experience of working with service users' families and/or carers
- Experience of using clinical supervision
- Experience of completing aspects of autism assessments and associated report writing
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of the key features of autism
- Ability to adjust communication (written and/or verbal) to individual client's needs
- High level communication skills (written and verbal)
Desirable
- Experience in conducting audits/service evaluations
- Experience in academic publication
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- An upper second class 2:1 honours degree or higher in psychology at undergraduate level or Masters conversion course at Merit or higher conveying eligibility for GBC
Desirable
- Further post graduate qualification in relevant areas of professional psychology, mental health practice and/or research design and analysis. Merit or higher
Experience
Essential
- Professional experience with people with mental health problems and/or neurodiversity
- Experience of working clinically with autistic adults
Desirable
- Experience of working clinically within an NHS setting
- Experience of completing risk assessments
- Experience of working with service users' families and/or carers
- Experience of using clinical supervision
- Experience of completing aspects of autism assessments and associated report writing
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of the key features of autism
- Ability to adjust communication (written and/or verbal) to individual client's needs
- High level communication skills (written and verbal)
Desirable
- Experience in conducting audits/service evaluations
- Experience in academic publication
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Employer details
Employer name
Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Queen Marys Hospital
Frognal Avenue
Sidcup
DA14 6LT
United Kingdom
Employer's website
http://oxleas.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)
Employer details
Employer name
Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Queen Marys Hospital
Frognal Avenue
Sidcup
DA14 6LT
United Kingdom
Employer's website
http://oxleas.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)