Trac proudly powers the recruitment for
Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Trust
About
We are the Mental Health & Learning Disability NHS Trust for County Durham and Darlington, Teesside, North Yorkshire, York and Selby.
From education and prevention, to crisis and specialist care —our talented and compassionate teams work in partnership with our patients, communities and partners to help the people of our region feel safe, understood, believed in and cared for.
We nurture the recovery journey of anyone in need of our help. In Our Trust, everyone has a say in how they are supported and treated because we listen to every person in our care until they feel understood. Our patients, their families and carers work together with us towards better mental health.
We’re committed to new thinking that improves the wellbeing of our region. We connect with our communities and partners to get mental health care right, in areas that really need it.
We won’t rest until everyone in our region has the mental health care they need, to lead their best possible life.
Contact
- Address
- Trust Headquarters
- West Park Hospital
- Edward Pease Way
- Darlington
- County Durham
- DL2 2TS
- Contact Number
- 01325 552000
Clinical Specialist - Autism Assessor
Closed for applications on: 18-Aug-2026 16:04
Vacancy status: Closed
Closed for applications on: 18-Aug-2026 16:04
Key details
Location
- Site
- Lancaster House
- Address
- Falcon Court, Preston Farm
- Town
- Stockton-on-Tees
- Postcode
- TS18 3TS
Contract type & working pattern
- Contract
- 12 months (Fixed Term/Secondment for 12 months to commence from starting date.)
- Hours
- Full time
- Flexible working
Salary
- Salary
- £49,387 - £56,515 per annum
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Grade
- (NHS AfC: Band 7)
Specialty
- Main area
- Adult Community Mental Health
We are the Mental Health & Learning Disability NHS Trust for County Durham and Darlington, Teesside, North Yorkshire, York and Selby.
From education and prevention, to crisis and specialist care —our talented and compassionate teams work in partnership with our patients, communities and partners to help the people of our region feel safe, understood, believed in and cared for.
We nurture the recovery journey of anyone in need of our help. In Our Trust, everyone has a say in how they are supported and treated because we listen to every person in our care until they feel understood. Our patients, their families and carers work together with us towards better mental health.
We’re committed to new thinking that improves the wellbeing of our region. We connect with our communities and partners to get mental health care right, in areas that really need it.
We won’t rest until everyone in our region has the mental health care they need, to lead their best possible life.
Job overview
An exciting opportunity has become available within the Durham and Tees Valley (DTV) Adult Autism Team for a Clinical Nurse Specialist to join our well‑established and supportive service.
The successful applicant will demonstrate a detailed understanding of Autism, alongside a working knowledge of ADHD, and will take on a key assessing role within the team, completing autism assessments in collaboration with the wider MDT. They will contribute to clinical diagnostic decision‑making, organise and lead MDT discussions, and ensure high clinical standards are maintained across all aspects of care.
The post holder will follow NICE‑guidance approaches when completing autism assessments, taking into consideration and understanding of co‑occurring mental health difficulties to support specialist diagnostic decision‑making. They will be expected to communicate in a neuroaffirming and inclusive manner, supporting both staff and autistic adults.
This role covers the Durham and Tees Valley area, providing consultation to community teams, supporting complex cases, and delivering autism diagnostic training. Existing skills and experience in autism assessment are desirable, as teaching and sharing expertise with wider teams will form a key part of the role.
Advert
The successful postholder will undertake comprehensive assessments for autism in line with NICE guidance and clinic protocols, complete detailed clinical histories, including developmental, mental health, and risk assessments. You will use standardised assessment tools and diagnostic frameworks to inform clinical decision‑making.
You will assess for co‑existing conditions, including mental health difficulties, substance misuse, and other neurodevelopmental differences. You will identify and respond to safeguarding concerns in line with policy and statutory requirements.
The post holder will formulate diagnostic outcomes and provide clear, evidence‑based rationales for decisions and communicate assessment outcomes to patients in a clear, sensitive, and supportive manner. You will produce high‑quality clinical reports within agreed timeframes that meet professional and regulatory standards, contribute to multidisciplinary team discussions and decision‑making where required and refer or signpost patients to appropriate services, including post‑diagnostic support and treatment pathways.
You will maintain accurate, timely, and confidential clinical records in line with data‑protection requirements. In addition, you will work in line with CQC standards, clinical governance frameworks, and organisational policies.
Working for our organisation
We are the Mental Health & Learning Disability NHS Trust for County Durham and Darlington, Teesside, North Yorkshire, York and Selby.
From education and prevention, to crisis and specialist care —our talented and compassionate teams work in partnership with our patients, communities and partners to help the people of our region feel safe, understood, believed in and cared for.
We nurture the recovery journey of anyone in need of our help. In Our Trust, everyone has a say in how they are supported and treated because we listen to every person in our care until they feel understood. Our patients, their families and carers work together with us towards better mental health.
We’re committed to new thinking that improves the wellbeing of our region. We connect with our communities and partners to get mental health care right, in areas that really need it.
We won’t rest until everyone in our region has the mental health care they need, to lead their best possible life.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
This role may be eligible for sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker route. However, sponsorship can only be provided where applicants meet the specific requirements, therefore, we recommend that you assess your eligibility before applying for this position. Visit https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa
Please refer to the attached job description and person specification provided.
If you would like more information, or if you would like to visit our service for further discussion, please feel free to contact the current Team Manager Amanda Davison or Clinical Nurse Specialist Claire Batkin.
This job advert may close early if a high volume of applications have been received. If interested, please apply for this post as soon as possible.
Contact Details
DTV Adult Autism Team Tel: 01642 368302
Team Manager – Amanda Davison - [email protected]
Clinical Nurse Specialist – Claire Batkin - [email protected]
Right to Work in the UK
Applications from job seekers who require sponsorship to work in the United Kingdom (UK) are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. Please note that from January 2021, to work in the UK all candidates who are not UK or Republic of Ireland (RoI) nationals require sponsorship unless you have permission to work via another route. Non UK / RoI candidates wishing to apply can self-assess the likelihood of obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship here Browse: Work in the UK - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).
Please provide full and accurate details of your current immigration status on the application form. Overseas applicants applying for entry clearance into the UK must present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided in continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). Your current immigration status will not be considered as part of the shortlisting or interview process.
Please note that not everyone needs a ‘Skilled Worker’ visa. If you are applying for a vacancy in health or adult social care, you may be eligible to apply for the Health and Care Worker visa instead, subject to role meeting the required conditions.
We are able to offer sponsorship for a Health and Care Worker or Skilled Worker visa, subject to candidate and position eligibility. Please review the job eligibility guidance for skilled workers here: Skilled Worker visa: Your job - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) and for the Health and Care Worker visa here: Skilled Worker visa: eligible healthcare and education jobs - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Please note: if the job you are applying for does not meet the eligibility criteria above, we will be unable to offer you sponsorship and you will need to explore whether you may be eligible to apply for an alternative immigration route which will secure your Right to Work in the UK before you apply. If you are in the UK already on a visa, please ensure you have no restrictions that would prevent you from taking this post.
AI in Recruitment
We are aware that Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology is increasingly being used to generate responses for application forms. Applications for this role should be written by the applicant and if, during shortlisting, a Recruiting Manager believes AI has been used then the application may be rejected due to this document being an important part of the assessment process. This does not prevent applicants seeking appropriate support with applications should they need to for the purposes of any declared disability.
Employment History
When completing your application form, please ensure that you include your full employment history, in chronological order with your most recent job/employment at the top. Failure to complete your employment history in full could result in your application being rejected.
Fixed Term Posts/Secondments
If the contract type on the vacancy states 'Fixed Term' this would mean the vacancy is being advertised to address a temporary need for the duration stipulated on the advert, however, in the event that permanent funding is secured for the post the successful applicant will be confirmed in post on a permanent basis.
Internal applicants must ensure that prior to applying they have agreement from their current line manager that they can be released on a secondment basis.
Support with applications
We have computers facilities available in our libraries (Durham, Middlesbrough, and Darlington) to support applicants. If you would like to access to a laptop for your application, please contact the library team to arrange a time to visit, please email: [email protected] . We will always endeavour to make this available however we cannot guarantee that we will be able accommodate this before the vacancy closes.
Trust Welcome Day
Here at Tees, Esk and Wear Valley Foundation NHS Trust, we want you to have a positive experience when you start your new role with us. We run a monthly face to face Trust Welcome Day and where possible, this will be your first day of employment. However, if this date is not possible, you will be required to attend a Trust Welcome Day within 4 weeks of your start date.
Applying for this post
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from individuals who have experience of mental ill health or learning disabilities. Our service users and carers tell us our staff should be consistently concerned with maintaining and improving care with pride, empathy and compassion.
This job advert may close early if a high volume of applications have been received. If interested, please apply for this post as soon as possible.
In order for your application to be successfully processed we will require references from your current and previous employer(s) which must cover a minimum period of three years. Please ensure that the reference section of your application is completed appropriately giving the address, telephone number and work email address of each of your current and previous line manager(s). If this section is not fully completed your application may not be processed.
If your application is successful, the information you give on your application form will be used to create and be retained on your electronic staff record and to provide access to core Trust systems.
Please note that if the post you are applying for requires a DBS check, you will be required to also subscribe to the DBS Update Service, if successful, and thereafter renew your subscription each year. The Trust will reimburse the subscription fee.
After applying via the NHS Jobs link, you will be taken to our preferred Third party recruitment system so submit your application. All subsequent information regarding your application will be generated from apps.trac.jobs. You will not be able to track the progress of your application or receive messages through the NHS Jobs website, and furthermore, that as an employer, we will not be able to respond to any e-mails sent to us via the NHS Jobs website.
By applying for this post you are agreeing to Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust transferring the information contained in this application to its preferred applicant management system. If you are offered a job, information will also be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records system.
Candidates who are shortlisted for interview will be contacted by e-mail. You should check your SPAM folders as well as your inbox. If you have not been contacted within 4 weeks of the closing date you should assume your application has been unsuccessful.
Additional Information
Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust is committed to the protection of staff, service users and visitors to the Trust from second hand smoke and currently operates a no smoking policy which ensures all buildings and grounds are smoke free.
Applicant requirements
Person specification
Personal Attributes
Essential criteria
- Able to work in accordance with Trust Values.
- Committed to continual quality and service improvement.
- Self-aware and committed to continual professional and personal development. Able to accept and respond positively to feedback from supervision.
- Committed to promoting a positive image of people with mental health conditions and learning disabilities.
Desirable criteria
- Committed to promoting a positive image of the department and the wider Trust.
- Committed to promoting a positive image of people with mental health conditions and learning disabilities.
- Ability to travel independently in accordance with Trust policies and service need.
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- Current Professional Registration with Nursing and Midwifery Council - RMN / RNLD/ RGN
- Recognised Practice Assessor/Practice Supervisor or currently in progress of achieving.
- Trained in Clinical Supervision and be providing Clinical Supervision
- AND HAVE Professional clinical knowledge and experience acquired through degree (or equivalent post registration study), supplemented by specialist training, experience, short courses, Module (20 credit) at level 7 see below For example Postgraduate Certificate/Diploma/Masters Degree, Intermediate Systemic Family Therapy/Postgraduate diploma in CBT/British Isles Dialectical Behaviour Therapy /NMP (Independent Prescriber), Psychosocial Interventions
- AND HAVE Equivalent significant clinical experience such as working (minimum of 2 years) as a band 6 (or above) in relevant clinical area, together with evidence of relevant CPD to Level 7 or equivalent
Knowledge
Essential criteria
- Extensive knowledge of current issues relating to health needs of patients in the field of practice, regionally and nationally
- Understanding and working knowledge of the legal framework and statutory obligations under the Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act
- Detailed understanding of Safeguarding and its application in practice.
- Clinical Risk Assessment and Management and its application in practice.
- Clinical Governance and its application in practice.
- Detailed understanding of autism across the lifespan, including how presentation can differs.
- Working knowledge of clinical medicines management
- Understanding of psychological models of care and treatment (depending on specialist area)
Experience
Essential criteria
- Significant experience working with patients with complex needs in the specialist field.
- Significant experience working with patients who display risk behaviours
- Significant experience working with patients who display risk behaviours
- Clinical risk assessment and management and its application in practice
- Working collaboratively with service users their families and carers
- Working in a multi disciplinary team
- Quality improvement activities
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Amanda Davison
- Job title
- DTV Adult Autism Team Manager
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 01642 368302
No longer accepting applications
Sorry, this vacancy is no longer accepting applications.
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