South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust
Job summary
This is an exciting opportunity for a motivated, innovative, and performance-driven clinician to join the Croydon Leadership Team and play a key role in shaping the future of neurodevelopmental services within the borough.The post holder will lead the Croydon Neurodevelopmental Assessment Team and be instrumental in the ongoing development and transformation of the service. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced clinician with expertise in neurodevelopmental presentations, particularly ADHD and/or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), who is passionate about service improvement, high-quality clinical care, and developing effective pathways for children, young people, and families.
We accept applications from professionals with a background in Clinical Psychology, Child Psychotherapy, Family Therapy, or Nursing who possess strong leadership skills and a commitment to delivering excellent outcomes.
We warmly welcome applications from everyone who meets the essential criteria. As we continue our journey towards being an anti-racist organisation, we are especially keen to hear from Black and Global Majority candidates, so that our workforce more closely reflects the diversity of the children, young people and families we serve in Croydon.
Main duties of the job
The successful candidate will:
- Provide operational and clinical leadership to the Neurodevelopmental Assessment Team.
- Lead the continued development and improvement of the neurodevelopmental service, ensuring the delivery of high-quality, evidence-based care.
- Monitor and manage service performance, quality standards, and key performance indicators.
- Maintain oversight of neurodevelopmental waiting lists, ensuring timely access to assessment and intervention pathways.
- Provide clinical and managerial supervision to team members, supporting professional development and high standards of practice.
- Lead on the investigation, monitoring, and learning from Serious Untoward Incidents (SUIs) and other governance processes.
- Hold responsibility for the team’s budget and contribute to effective resource management.
- Ensure clinical practice is compliant with relevant national, professional, and organisational standards.
- Drive operational effectiveness and support the achievement of service objectives.
- Provide expert clinical consultation and contribute to complex decision-making regarding assessment and treatment options.
This is a rewarding leadership role for an individual who is committed to innovation, collaboration, and excellence in neurodevelopmental care, and who wishes to make a lasting impact on service delivery and patient outcomes.
Person Specification
Education/Qualifications
Essential
- Recognised Professional Qualification in Social Work (DipSW/CQSW), Mental Health Nursing (RMN), Psychology or any allied medical profession.
- Evidence of continuing professional development.
Desirable
- RN Child
- Management course.
Experience
Essential
- Experience of leading and managing change to deliver organisational goals.
- Experience of working within the NHS, or a related public or voluntary sector organisation.
- Experience working with young people pre / post neurodevelopmental diagnosis
- Desire to develop leadership and management skills
Desirable
- Experience of service development.
- Knowledge / experience of Looked After Children
- Experience assessing young people with Neurodevelopmental presentations including co-morbidities
- Experienced in ADHD and / or autism assessments
Knowledge
Essential
- Specialist clinical knowledge relevant to the service, including evidence based practice.
- Understanding of the legislative and quality frameworks that govern provision of mental health and social care.
- Significant and advanced knowledge of neurodevelopmental presentations, particularly ADHD and/or ASD
Skills and Abilities
Essential
- Effective communications and interpersonal skills and proven ability to develop and manage key relationships at all levels.
- Understanding of public sector management and NHS Mental Health services, Social and Primary Care services
- Ability to develop close collaborative working relationship between individuals, teams and organisations
- Excellent report writing and presentation skills and proven ability to evaluate services and present findings to stakeholders
- Leadership skills especially the ability to lead and manage change through influence without direct management.
Desirable
- Ability to support, manage and advise the team through difficult and challenging situations.
- Ability to manage conflict effectively
- Ability to manage effectively a revenue budget.
Personal Attributes & Other Skills
Essential
- Recognition of own limitations, strengths and weaknesses and an ability to seek advice when necessary.
- Innovative, creative and willing to try new approaches.
- Possess attention to detail
Desirable
- Evidence of undertaking audit work.
Specialist Knowledge
Essential
- Current good practice in assessment, short term time limited treatments and interventions
- Knowledge of recent legislation affecting the NHS and local authority.
Desirable
- Knowledge or experience working with Looked After and Adopted Children
Closing Date: 13 October 2026
To apply for this job please visit apps.trac.jobs.