University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust

Specialist Support Worker (Autism Assessment)

The closing date is 25 February 2026

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Job summary

The post is part of a specific team commissioned to undertake autism assessments in children. You will be based within the paediatric Neurodevelopmental team based at the child development centre in Plymouth although the assessments will be undertaken in various settings across Plymouth and west Devon. Flexible and hybrid working is possible.

Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as 'Priority' and 'At Risk' status including NHS at Risk staff throughout Devon who is able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.

Main duties of the job

This role will include support to the multi-disciplinary team completing assessment as part of our pre-school and school-age autism spectrum pathways. Information will be gathered to support the team in developing a formulation regarding a young person's presentation through observation, assessment and information gathering.

This role will also include support to young people and families in advance of or while awaiting assessment to consider a possible autism spectrum condition. This will focus on intervention which will have maximum benefit for the broadest range of families including groups, workshop and liaison with partner agencies.

The Community Paediatric service is a multi-disciplinary team, and work will take place in conjunction with or under the supervision of a range of professionals to ensure the most appropriate care & support is delivered to young people and families.

About us

We are a people business - where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care. The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure. PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY. If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process please contact the recruitment manager for this post who will put you in touch with the recruitment team. We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants around less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission. We commit to giving this full consideration in each case. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams. It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.

Details

Date posted

11 February 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£27,485 to £30,162 a year per annum, pro rata if part time

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Flexible working

Reference number

216-EG-DA7727706

Job locations

Child Development Centre

Beacon Park Road

Plymouth

PL2 2PQ


Job description

Job responsibilities

1. To support the assessment of young people suspecting of having an autism spectrum condition in conjunction with, and under the supervision of, the multi-disciplinary assessment team. This may include delegated tasks such as observations of young people or use of specific assessment tools.

2. To liaise with professionals both within or external to the community paediatric service in gathering information and insight regarding young people

3. To take part in multi-disciplinary discussions to help formulate outcomes for young people

4. To delivery intervention and support to young people and families on a range of topics through groups and workshops

5. Under the supervision of the multi-disciplinary team, offer targeted support to children and families based on specific goals and outcomes

6. To provide clear, accessible information in a written format which can be shared with the young person, their families and other professionals

7. Proactively engage in supervision with the wider team and manager

8. Liaise with partner organisations in planning and providing support including schools & other education services, local authorities and charitable organisations

9. Engage in multi-agency meetings such as Team Around Me or Early Help Assessment Plan meetings

10. Keep contemporaneous, legible and accurate records regarding all involvement with young people and families

11. Assist in the maintenance and cleaning of toys & equipment which are used as part of the assessment process

12. Be aware of strategies which children with special education needs or disabilities may use as part of their communication including signing and other visual communication tools

Job description

Job responsibilities

1. To support the assessment of young people suspecting of having an autism spectrum condition in conjunction with, and under the supervision of, the multi-disciplinary assessment team. This may include delegated tasks such as observations of young people or use of specific assessment tools.

2. To liaise with professionals both within or external to the community paediatric service in gathering information and insight regarding young people

3. To take part in multi-disciplinary discussions to help formulate outcomes for young people

4. To delivery intervention and support to young people and families on a range of topics through groups and workshops

5. Under the supervision of the multi-disciplinary team, offer targeted support to children and families based on specific goals and outcomes

6. To provide clear, accessible information in a written format which can be shared with the young person, their families and other professionals

7. Proactively engage in supervision with the wider team and manager

8. Liaise with partner organisations in planning and providing support including schools & other education services, local authorities and charitable organisations

9. Engage in multi-agency meetings such as Team Around Me or Early Help Assessment Plan meetings

10. Keep contemporaneous, legible and accurate records regarding all involvement with young people and families

11. Assist in the maintenance and cleaning of toys & equipment which are used as part of the assessment process

12. Be aware of strategies which children with special education needs or disabilities may use as part of their communication including signing and other visual communication tools

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • oNVQ level 3 or equivalent in relevant field such as childcare or equivalent demonstrable experience

Desirable

  • oChild protection/safeguarding training

knowledge and experience

Essential

  • oDemonstrable experience of working with children and young people who have an autism spectrum condition
  • oDemonstrable experience of delivering interventions within a group environment
  • oDemonstrable experience of working with clinicians from different professional backgrounds
  • oProven knowledge of child development
  • oUnderstanding of approaches to behaviours which challenge

Desirable

  • oProven knowledge of conditions which may co-exist with an autism spectrum condition such as ADHD and learning disabilities
  • oInsight in to the autism assessment process
  • oProven knowledge of alternative or augmentative communication methods such as Makaton

Appitude and abilities

Essential

  • oGood communication skills both verbally and in writing
  • oAbility to prioritise and organise work effectively
  • oGood observational skills
  • oExcellent organisational skills

Disposition and motivation

Essential

  • oAbility to work well within a busy environment accepting delegated tasks
  • oSelf-motivated, enthusiastic and committed
  • oAbility to travel to different settings
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • oNVQ level 3 or equivalent in relevant field such as childcare or equivalent demonstrable experience

Desirable

  • oChild protection/safeguarding training

knowledge and experience

Essential

  • oDemonstrable experience of working with children and young people who have an autism spectrum condition
  • oDemonstrable experience of delivering interventions within a group environment
  • oDemonstrable experience of working with clinicians from different professional backgrounds
  • oProven knowledge of child development
  • oUnderstanding of approaches to behaviours which challenge

Desirable

  • oProven knowledge of conditions which may co-exist with an autism spectrum condition such as ADHD and learning disabilities
  • oInsight in to the autism assessment process
  • oProven knowledge of alternative or augmentative communication methods such as Makaton

Appitude and abilities

Essential

  • oGood communication skills both verbally and in writing
  • oAbility to prioritise and organise work effectively
  • oGood observational skills
  • oExcellent organisational skills

Disposition and motivation

Essential

  • oAbility to work well within a busy environment accepting delegated tasks
  • oSelf-motivated, enthusiastic and committed
  • oAbility to travel to different settings

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).

Additional information

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).

Employer details

Employer name

University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust

Address

Child Development Centre

Beacon Park Road

Plymouth

PL2 2PQ


Employer's website

https://www.plymouthhospitals.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust

Address

Child Development Centre

Beacon Park Road

Plymouth

PL2 2PQ


Employer's website

https://www.plymouthhospitals.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Clinical Lead for Neurodevelopmental Pathways

Sue Syers

suesyers@nhs.net

01752439427

Details

Date posted

11 February 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£27,485 to £30,162 a year per annum, pro rata if part time

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Flexible working

Reference number

216-EG-DA7727706

Job locations

Child Development Centre

Beacon Park Road

Plymouth

PL2 2PQ


Supporting documents

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