Job summary
Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) are looking for a Specialist Learning Disability and Autism Practitioner.
The successful candidate will work within our Safeguarding team as a visible and operational specialist practitioner, improving the quality of care and experience received by people who have a Learning Disability and/or Autism.
Ensure appropriate and timely reasonable adjustments are made to the care pathways for individuals who are identified as having a diagnosis of a Learning Disability and/or Autism.
Act as an expert resource to others, providing specialist advice and support to hospital staff.
Develop effective and collaborative relationships with multi-agency colleagues to promote the purpose of the MFT Strategy for improving care and experience for people living with a Learning Disability and/or Autism who access the Trust’s service.
Support with service improvement initiatives directly relating to patients with a Learning Disability and/or Autism.
Main duties of the job
- The practitioner will advise and offer support to staff across the trust footprint supporting patients with a Learning Disability and/or Autism within the acute setting.
- To complete Quality Care Checklists, to audit staff’s adherence to the MFT Learning Disability and Autism policy and strategy.
- To deliver Learning Disability and Autism Training, and give specialist advise to Trust staff of all grades on their legal duty to apply the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005, in their day-to-day practice.
- Be highly visible in clinical areas, ensuring that the team standards are maintained, and staff are supported to deliver excellent care for patients with Learning Disability and/or Autism within the Trust
- Supporting staff with patients accessing hospitals through the Emergency and Planned pathways.
- Contributing to the reporting and learning of the lives and deaths of Patients with Learning Disabilities and Autism (LeDeR), identifying improvements, and sharing good practices.
- Working aside the Safeguarding Team when Safeguarding concerns are raised involving our vulnerable patient group.
About us
Join Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) and become part of a 30,000 plus strong team, delivering exceptional care to over 1 million people every year. As the largest provider of specialist services, and our Oxford Road Campus in Manchester, the largest health academic campus in Europe, we are forward-thinking, committed to clinical excellence and driven to deliver innovation, and continuous improvement. Whether you’re beginning your career or taking the next step, MFT offers a stimulating and supportive environment where your contribution truly matters. Our Hive Electronic Patient Record system enables safer, smarter, and more efficient ways of working – empowering you to deliver the best possible outcomes for our patients.You’ll be part of a collaborative, multi-disciplinary community, working alongside professionals from a wide range of clinical backgrounds. Together, we push boundaries, share knowledge, and deliver care that transforms lives. At MFT, you’ll find a workplace where everyone is respected, supported, and encouraged to thrive. We offer clear clinical pathways for professional development, helping you grow your skills and achieve your ambitions. Your journey at MFT is more than a job – it’s an opportunity to make a lasting impact. We’ll support you as you shape the future of healthcare, one patient at a time.
Job description
Job responsibilities
IMPORTANT CANDIDATE INFORMATION
To find out more about the key responsibilities and the specific skills and experience youll need for this role, take a look at the Job Description & Person Specification attachments under the Documents to download heading.
Explore Inside MFT Your Candidate Place
To help you feel confident, prepared and fully informed before you apply, we invite you to explore Inside MFT Your Candidate Place. This welcoming onestop hub gives you a real sense of who we are, what we stand for, how we reward and support you, and the many ways we care for you as you care for others. Youll also find practical hints and tips for submitting a great application, along with the essential information you need to know before you apply.
To access Inside MFT Your Candidate Place, simply click on the relevant PDF document under the Documents to download heading and once opened, you can either scan QR code or click on the link provided.
Closing vacancy listings early
We welcome applications from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences.To help us manage applications fairly and give each one the time it deserves, our adverts may close early if we receive a high level of interest. Early applications are therefore encouraged.
Diversity MattersMFT is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating and valuing diversity and eliminating any form of unlawful discrimination across our workforce, ensuring our people are truly representative of the communities we serve. All individuals regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation are encouraged to apply for this post. As an inclusive employer, we are here to support you. If you have any special requirements to help you with your application, please contact the manager named below.
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
As part of our commitment to safeguarding patients and staff, many roles at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) require a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. This is a standard process across the NHS and helps us ensure a safe environment for everyone.
The Costs for a DBS
At Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT), roles that require a DBS check are subject to a cost recovery policy. This means that the cost of submitting and processing a DBS application if you are successful and join us, will be deducted from your salary within the first three months of employment. If, however, you withdraw from a conditional offer after the DBS process has begun, you will still be liable for the cost incurred.
For more information about the cost of the various types of DBS, please visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/dbs-fees-are-changing-in-december
DBS Update Service
Candidates are also expected to register with the DBS Update Service which must be completed within 30 days of the certificate being issued. This helps streamline future employment checks and supports safer recruitment practices. For more information, please visit the DBS Update Service.
Person Specification
Registered professionals
Essential
- Current relevant professional registration
Qualifications
Essential
- A qualified Learning Disability Nurse or other registered nurse, physiotherapist, occupational therapist, or social worker with significant experience working with people with learning disabilities and/or autism
- Educated to degree level
- Evidence of working with adults or children with learning disabilities and/or autism
Knowledge and experince
Essential
- Experience of working within an MDT setting
- Working knowledge of legislation and policy relating to people with learning disabilities and autism (e.g. Mental Capacity Act, Mental Health Act, DoLs, Equality Act).
- Evidence of team working.
- Knowledge of tools like behavioural recording sheets; direct observations; pain; health screening tools etc. to help analyse situation and make formulations and recommendations based on this.
Desirable
- Post-registration experience working with people with learning disabilities and/or autism.
- Additional training in Autism or Positive Behaviour Support.
Skills
Essential
- Excellent verbal and written skills.
- Confident and professional manner
- Strong analytical skills
- Ability to work under pressure, to prioritise work flexibly and to tight deadlines.
- Good computer/IT skills
Desirable
- Experience in developing and delivering training
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.
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).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
