Trainee Specialist Practitioner - Learning Disability and Autism
Northorpe Hall, 53 Northorpe Ln, Mirfield WF14 0QL, UK
Applications are sought for a trainee Specialist Practitioner - Learning Disability and Autism. These are fixed term, full time roles with the intention to become permanent (subject to funding) on successful completion of a 1-year training course and demonstrating a high standard of practice.
Trainees will undertake a Post-Graduate Diploma in Specialist Clinical Practice in Learning Disabilities and Autism at the Psychological Therapies Training Centre (Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust). The training programme aims to equip practitioners with the skills necessary to improve access and outcomes for Autistic children and young people and those with Learning Disabilities.
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Working Hours: Full time. Working pattern to be negotiated and fixed on appointment, the service operates Monday to Friday during typical office hours with one evening shift per week including 2 university days. 37.5 hours per week.
Pay: £33,699.
Contract: 12 Month Fixed Term with intention to extend dependent on successful completion of course, professional conduct in line with organisational values and funding.
Holidays: 36 days pro rota including bank holidays.
Start Date: January 2027.
Employed by: Northorpe Hall Child + Family Trust.
Location: Northorpe Hall Child + Family Trust, 53 Northorpe Lane, Mirfield, WF14 0QL, with a requirement to work in schools & community venues.
Disclosure and Barring Service Certificate: Due to the nature of the work, this post will be subject to an enhanced DBS check.
The closing date for this application is Sunday 27th September
To apply for this role, please send a copy of your CV along with a supporting statement to HR@northorpehall.co.uk.
Further information:
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Recruitment drop-in session: Wednesday 16th September, Northorpe Barn at 4:00pm.
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Interviews: 5th to 12th October.
Further information
The service base and employer is Northorpe Hall, Northorpe Lane, Mirfield, WF14 0QL, however, work with children and young people will also take place in schools and community venues across Kirklees. Some home working and work in evenings will be required.
Training will take place at Prestwich teaching hospital and the training course is provided by Greater Manchester Psychological Therapies Training Centre in Prestwich - travel expenses will be provided.
Northorpe Hall is a West Yorkshire based charity supporting children, young people and families for over 60 years. Services include mentoring, therapies and tailored programmes for young people up to age 25 — supporting both them and the people around them on their journey towards independence.
We provide neurodivergent young people and their families with specialist support that nurtures potential, builds confidence, and helps them navigate day-to-day life While we work with schools and other organisations, we run things independently. Everything we do is shaped by the families we work with.
At Northorpe Hall our goal is simple: To help children and young people overcome challenges and have the best chance to grow, learn and thrive, no matter what life throws at them.
We will provide access to suitable clients, venues, links to schools, IT equipment, supervision, peer support, access to secure information/case management systems etc. The training course is provided by Greater Manchester Psychological Therapies Training Centre in Prestwich. Delivery is a blend of online and face to face.
Applicants need to be able to start the Post Graduate training programme taught academic dates in early January 2027 and commit to attendance at all university based taught and self-study days required by Manchester University.
You will work in the service for the remaining days of the week using your newly developed skills to ensure you gain the necessary clinical practice hours to fulfil the academic programme. This is 200 hours of modality and case specific practice for the full time courses.
Job Purpose
This is a training role within the Psychological Trainings Programme. The post-holder will work within Northorpe Hall as part of a multi-disciplinary team delivering, under supervision, high-quality; outcome–informed, focused, and evidence-based interventions for children and young people with Autism and Learning Disabilities.
Training
This programme is a postgraduate diploma in specialist clinical practice with Autistic Children and Young People, and Children and Young People with Learning Disabilities. The programme is part of the national Children and Young People (CYP) Psychological Trainings project.
This programme is validated in Partnership with The Division of Psychology and Mental Health, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester.
Autistic children and young people and/or those with Learning Disabilities need services who are skilled in understanding their challenges and can implement interventions effectively. The training component is in the form of lectures, reflective practice groups, and supervision of clinical practice.
Following the initial two weeks induction, attendance is weekly mainly one day a week (Fridays) over four consecutive terms. There may be a blend of online and face-to-face teaching.
The requirements to pass the course include: two reflective pieces, one participation project, a video of clinical practice, one neuro-affirmative letter, one verbal and one written case study, and an observation of structured clinical examination. Video-based supervision and service-based supervised practice are core elements of the programme.
Duties and responsibilities
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To offer timely, accessible and effective therapeutic interventions to children and young people with Autism and Learning Disabilities. This may be 1-1 or in groups.
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To provide assessment, interventions, therapy to children, young people and where appropriate, families as both an autonomous practitioner and as part of a multidisciplinary team in a variety of settings to address need.
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To identify and report safeguarding incidents, in line with relevant policies and procedures.
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To be committed to a quality approach for the care of children and young people.
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The post-holder will demonstrate high levels of concentration and provide sustained effort in assessment of complex issues.
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To manage busy caseloads; ensuring effective communication with families, professionals, staff, CYPs and more.
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To operate within the clinical and case management supervision framework and engage effectively with clinical supervision on a regular basis.
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To work flexibly including evenings to meet training and support needs for children and young people.
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To use a range of IT systems including patient record systems, ensuring high quality data is collected appropriately, kept securely and confidentially.
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To work in an innovative and child, young person and family centred way, in a culture of continuous improvement and learning.
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To engage and manage your educational responsibilities and ensure all deadlines are met.
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To demonstrate continued practice development and engage in line management supervision.
In addition to these functions the post holder is expected to:
In agreement with their line manager carry out such other duties as may be reasonably expected in accordance with the grade of the post.
This job description does not provide an exhaustive list of duties and may be reviewed in conjunction with the post holder in light of service development.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
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Qualification in Clinical/Educational Psychology, Social Work, Psychiatry, Nursing, Occupational Therapy (Core) or Creative Therapies, Counselling, Speech & Language Therapy, CYPWs, EMHPs & Psychotherapy (Non-Core).
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Appropriate Statutory professional body registration.
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Applicants without one of these recognised core professions but with experience of working in a mental health service delivering therapy will be considered for eligibility via PTTC Course Evidence Readiness Task (CERT) to demonstrate experience and highlight any gaps in training.
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Willing to participate in any relevant training identified to develop skills required to carry out duties.
Desirable
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Educated to degree level (candidates who do not have a degree will need to evidence their competency by completing an essay).
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Maintains a portfolio of CPD in line with regulatory body standards.
*There may be candidates who through evidence of knowledge, skills and experience regarding developmental psychology, adult and child mental health, working in and with public sector services, and managing risk may be accepted as exceptional cases.
Experience
Essential
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Experience of working within a mental health setting with clients presenting with common mental health problems.
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Minimum of four years experience working in Children & Young People’s Mental Health.
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Experience of undertaking specialist mental health assessment, risk assessment and formulation and can demonstrate that these skills are maintained.
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Experience of delivering appropriate therapeutic, risk management and relapse prevention interventions in a time-limited manner, to clients with common mental health problems, in line with professional standards and service protocols.
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Experience of supporting neurodivergent young people – diagnosed or undiagnosed.
Desirable
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Working in community or primary care based teams.
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Experience of facilitating clinical supervision.
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Experience of systemic practise.
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Working as part of a wider multidisciplinary team.
Qualities
Essential
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Initiative, problem solving and openness to change.
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A collaborative team player, concerned with team success as well as individual performance.
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Passionate and committed to improving the mental health and wellbeing of local children and young people.
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Shares information, good practice and skills with their colleagues and wider networks.
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Good listener who responds well to feedback.
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Constructive and energetic who brings positivity and enthusiasm.
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A self aware and reflective individual who can reflect on their own needs and commit to continuous personal and professional learning and development.
Skills and Competencies
Essential
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Assessment, planning and evaluation skills.
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Performs test/procedures/diagnostics relevant to clinical role proficiently.
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Analytical and creative problem solving skills.
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Workload management including planning, organisation and delegation of tasks.
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Competent IT skills e.g. word processing, email in order to maintain electronic patient records.
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Effective verbal, non-verbal and written communication skills including communicating complex or potentially distressing information to patients/carers.
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Risk assessment skills.
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Reflective practice skills/ Ability to utilise clinical supervision.
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Able to research, understand and evaluate evidence in order to contribute to practice development.
Desirable
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Experience in research and/or clinical audit.
Knowledge and Understanding
Essential
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Knowledge of common mental health conditions which may be encountered in area of work.
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Theoretical and clinical knowledge appropriate to service area and professial.
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Knowledge of relevant current issues in health and social care.
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Knowledge of Standards of Conduct.
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Demonstrates awareness of limits to knowledge base.
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Basic understanding of clinical governance and quality measures.
Other requirements
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Has a strong degree of personal integrity; able to adhere to standards of conduct based on a culture of equality and fairness.
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A strong understanding of safeguarding and health and safety within mental health, social work & education and the ability to become a designated safeguarding officer for Northorpe Hall.
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A strong command of computer skills and technology, particularly with Microsoft and Google products as well as CRMs.
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A dedicated commitment to diversity and inclusion and equality of opportunity.
Further information:
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Recruitment drop-in session: Wednesday 16th September, Northorpe Barn at 4:00pm.
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Interviews: 5th to 12th October.