Autism Specialist Practitioner: Sponsorship Available

East London NHS Foundation Trust

Job summary

Autism Specialist Practitioner, Band 6, Tower Hamlets Autism Service (THAS), 0.6 WTE (fixed-term post till August 2027)

We are looking for an enthusiastic and experienced clinician (Speech and Language Therapist, Occupational Therapist, Nurse or Social Worker) with an interest in developing their skills and experience in diagnostically assessing and working with autistic adults. The successful candidate will work as part of a well-integrated, capable multidisciplinary team delivering high quality evidence-based diagnostic assessment and post diagnostic support services for this group.

The Tower Hamlets Autism Service (THAS) is a specialist diagnostic and brief intervention service. Designed in accordance with NICE guidelines, we operate an open referral system, accepting referrals from any source when it is thought that an adult living in Tower Hamlets may be autistic. We use screening tools and specialist assessments (ADOS-2) alongside clinical experience and expertise to diagnose autism spectrum conditions in adults (without a learning a disability).

Main duties of the job

The main purpose of the role is:

– As part of the multidisciplinary team, to screen and assess for autism in adults (without a learning disability).

– To plan, organise and facilitate post diagnostic support, individual and group interventions, including profession specific assessments and interventions to those diagnosed by the service.

– To provide specialist advice, training, consultation and liaison to support other ELFT staff, social care staff, Primary Care Colleagues and staff in third sector organisations working with autistic adults.

This is an exciting career opportunity for a dedicated applicant with existing direct experience assessing and working with autistic adults, or for those with relevant experience who may wish to specialise in this developing field.

Person Specification

Education/ Qualification/ Training

Essential

  • Diploma/Degree in Social Work, Occupational Therapy, Mental Health nursing or Speech and Language Therapy.
  • HCPC registration / or Nursing and Midwifery Council registration.

Desirable

  • Trained in the use of ADOS-2.

Experience

Essential

  • Minimum two years post registration experience as a qualified professional.
  • Experience of undertaking assessments and care planning.
  • Experience of working in a multi-cultural setting, including working with interpreters.
  • Experience of working with autism and neurodevelopmental conditions and / or mental health conditions.

Desirable

  • Experience of facilitating groups

Knowledge and Skills

Essential

  • A thorough knowledge of Autistic Spectrum Condition, major mental health disorders and relevant, contemporary, evidence-based intervention strategies/models.
  • Knowledge of what clinical governance is and skills in quality improvement of services.
  • Knowledge of mental health act, mental capacity act, and other relevant legislation.
  • Knowledge and skills in risk assessment and management

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).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Closing Date: 20 September 2026

To apply for this job please visit apps.trac.jobs.