B6 Mental Health Practitioner Practitioner

Job Overview

• Role Title: Band 6 Mental Health Practitioner (Neurodiversity Specialist)

• Location: Springleigh Clinic, Waterloo Road, Stalybridge, SK15 2AU

• Hours: 37.5 hours per week (Full-time)

• Band: Band 6

Role Summary

We are seeking a motivated and experienced Band 6 Mental Health Practitioner to join our dynamic team at Springleigh Clinic. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in mental health services, with a specific preference for candidates possessing prior experience in conducting initial neurodiversity assessments for children and young people.

You will play a vital role in supporting young people and their families by providing comprehensive, high-quality neurodevelopmental assessments for those on the Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC) and/or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) pathways.

Key Responsibilities & Main Duties

• Clinical Assessments: Complete structured initial neurodiversity assessments for young people referred to the ADHD and/or Autism assessment pathways.

• Information Gathering: Conduct detailed developmental history-taking, clinical interviews, and behavioral observations with young people, families, and educational settings.

• Multidisciplinary Working: Collaborate closely with a multidisciplinary team (including CAMHS clinicians, pediatricians, occupational therapists, and speech and language therapists) to triangulate clinical findings and reach consensus on diagnostic outcomes.

• Report Writing: Produce comprehensive, clear, and evidence-based diagnostic reports and formulation summaries within agreed clinical timeframes.

• Care Planning & Signposting: Provide post-assessment feedback to families, offering clear guidance, psychoeducation, and appropriate signposting to local support services, interventions, and community resources.

• Safeguarding: Ensure all clinical practices comply with local safeguarding policies and procedures for children and young people.

• Clinical Governance: Participate in clinical supervision, peer reviews, team meetings, and continuous professional development (CPD) activities to maintain high clinical standards.

Person Specification

Essential Criteria:

• Professional registration in a relevant healthcare discipline (e.g., Registered Mental Health Nurse, Occupational Therapist, Social Worker, or equivalent relevant professional registration).

• Demonstrated post-registration experience working within child and adolescent mental health or neurodevelopmental services.

• Sound knowledge and understanding of neurodiversity, specifically ADHD and Autism in young people.

• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills, with the ability to convey sensitive information empathetically and clearly to families and multi-agency partners.

• Ability to manage a busy caseload, prioritize work effectively, and meet clinical targets.

Desirable Criteria:

• Direct, hands-on experience in completing initial neurodiversity (ADHD/Autism) assessments.

• Familiarity with standardized assessment tools (e.g., ADOS-2, ADI-R, DIVA, or similar diagnostic frameworks).

• Post-graduate training or specialized qualifications in neurodevelopmental conditions.