Job summary
We are delighted to be able to offer a band 6 to band 7 development opportunity (start point depending on experience).
This is an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic, highly motivated, and dynamic SALT, OT, Social Worker, or Specialist Nurse, to develop knowledge, skills and experience of autism. A programme of formal and informal training and support will be available - including an Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) training course. You will need prior experience of working with autistic young people and their families, and enthusiasm for learning more about differential diagnostic assessment.
Hours of work are negotiable. Whilst our base is in Macclesfield we have other bases of work in Ellesmere Port and Chester, and so base is also negotiable. This role will involve remote working/hybrid working however there will be a requirement to work from the office on certain days.
CWP hosts CANDDID, the Centre for Autism Neurodevelopmental disorders and Intellectual Disabilities, which carries out research education and training including a post-graduate course in neuro-developmental differences, and it holds an annual international conference.
Proposed shortlisting date 08/01/2026 and interview date 22/01/2026
Main duties of the job
In line with our CWP Autism Strategy you will be working with others to identify the strengths as well as the needs of each young person; supporting them to understand the diagnostic outcome and what it means for them. You will also be working with the local autism community hub. CWP are dedicated to working in partnership to ensure that the unique profile of each person is understood, and support is tailored. Autistic young people will be working with the team to find the best person for this post. You will have an opportunity to meet with at least two autistic young people during the informal part of the interview process.
You will be working with the young person, their family and other agencies to identify each individual profile and to explore whether the autism diagnostic criteria has been met. You will be working as part of a multi-disciplinary team across organisations. After the diagnostic review has taken place, you will be offering feedback which is focused on understanding, and next steps towards achieving each individual's own aspirations in life.You will be supported to agree a working pattern that suits you as well as the service. A flexible mix of face-to-face clinics and remote working can be established. This allows the best possible service for families and the best possible work-life balance for members of the team.
About us
Cheshire and Wirral Partnership (CWP) provides health and care services for a population of over one million people, including mental health, learning disability, community physical health and all-age disability care, as well as the provision of three GP surgeries in Cheshire.
We employ around 4,500 staff across 73 sites and have services across Wirral and Cheshire, as well as Trafford, Warrington, Bolton, Halton, Liverpool and Stockport.
Our aim is to help improve the lives of everyone in our communities, adopting a compassionate, person-centred approach to everything we do. We are rated as Outstanding for Caring by the Care Quality Commission, with a Good rating overall.
As a Disability Confident Employer, Rainbow Badge Scheme member, Veteran Aware organisation and proud holder of the Armed Forces Covenant Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award, CWP is committed to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible and developing a culture that values differences, and welcome applications from people who have direct experience of accessing our services.
All new starters will commence in post on one fixed start date each month, in line with our Prepare to Care (P2C) induction programme date. P2C offers up to 3 weeks training to support you to meet the induction / initial training requirements of the role.
Whether you are just starting out in your career or looking to use your existing skills and experience in a new role, you'll find something to suit you at CWP.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please download a copy of the job description (see documents to download section below) for full details of the main responsibilities for this role.
At CWP, our recruitment selection processes are based on both competence (see person specification for details) and values.
CWP recruits people that can demonstrate the Trusts Values in their everyday life and we use a values-based approach in our interviews, which explores not only what you do but how and why you do it.
Before applying, we encourage you to review the Trusts Values and think about how these align with your own personal values. The supporting information section in your application should reflect your understanding of the Trusts Values and associated behaviours and you should provide examples from your work experience and/or personal life which demonstrate these values through your behaviours.
An applicant guide to help and support you through your recruitment journey can be accessed at the bottom of this page. Further help and support for completing your application can be accessed via our website. If you need any further guidance to help you complete your application, contact our recruitment team via email at: cwp.recruitment@nhs.net or by calling 01244 393100.
If you have a disability that meets the definition set out in the Equality Act 2010, and you can show that you meet the essential criteria described in the person specification for an available position, please answer YES to the question: Do you wish to be considered under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme?
Please inform the team if you have any special support needs to be considered as part of the interview and selection processes.
The trust offers a Guaranteed Interview Scheme to any armed forces community applicants who meet the essential criteria for the post and encourages applications from armed forces reservists or cadet force adult volunteers.
Please note applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costs are deducted from salary following appointment. You are encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service. A small annual fee of £16 per year applies.
New entrants to the NHS will commence on the minimum of the scale stated above.
Applicants are advised to apply early as if a large number of applications are received for this post we reserve the right to close the vacancy prior to the advertised date.
Good luck with your application. We hope to welcome you to Team CWP very soon!
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please download a copy of the job description (see documents to download section below) for full details of the main responsibilities for this role.
At CWP, our recruitment selection processes are based on both competence (see person specification for details) and values.
CWP recruits people that can demonstrate the Trusts Values in their everyday life and we use a values-based approach in our interviews, which explores not only what you do but how and why you do it.
Before applying, we encourage you to review the Trusts Values and think about how these align with your own personal values. The supporting information section in your application should reflect your understanding of the Trusts Values and associated behaviours and you should provide examples from your work experience and/or personal life which demonstrate these values through your behaviours.
An applicant guide to help and support you through your recruitment journey can be accessed at the bottom of this page. Further help and support for completing your application can be accessed via our website. If you need any further guidance to help you complete your application, contact our recruitment team via email at: cwp.recruitment@nhs.net or by calling 01244 393100.
If you have a disability that meets the definition set out in the Equality Act 2010, and you can show that you meet the essential criteria described in the person specification for an available position, please answer YES to the question: Do you wish to be considered under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme?
Please inform the team if you have any special support needs to be considered as part of the interview and selection processes.
The trust offers a Guaranteed Interview Scheme to any armed forces community applicants who meet the essential criteria for the post and encourages applications from armed forces reservists or cadet force adult volunteers.
Please note applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costs are deducted from salary following appointment. You are encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service. A small annual fee of £16 per year applies.
New entrants to the NHS will commence on the minimum of the scale stated above.
Applicants are advised to apply early as if a large number of applications are received for this post we reserve the right to close the vacancy prior to the advertised date.
Good luck with your application. We hope to welcome you to Team CWP very soon!
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Registered nurse / Registered with Heath Care Professionals Council (HCPC) in a discipline relevant to the service
- Degree in health care field or equivalent experience in the health care field
Desirable
- Training in the use of specialist diagnostic assessment tools related to neuro-developmental difference
- Enthusiasm to attend masters level postgraduate courses relevant to the specialist area
Knowledge and Expertise
Essential
- Post registration knowledge that is relevant to the specialist area
- Ability to assess / plan / evaluate care to young people and families
- Support families in crisis
- Demonstrate excellent record keeping
- Demonstrate ability to chair meetings and contribute to team discussions
- Ability to deliver training to other professionals and services
- Knowledge of national and local priorities and changing trends in the specialist area
- Working knowledge of child protection issues
Desirable
- Experience with quality initiatives
- Ability to manage conflict situations to an amicable resolution
- Confidence / experience in managing potentially challenging situations
Experience
Essential
- Post registration experience of working with autistic individuals
- Direct experience of working with people with complex needs (i.e. co-existing differences and difficulties)
- Experience of undertaking projects
Desirable
- Experience of teaching and mentoring others
- Experience of working with autistic children and young people in a variety of mental health services
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Registered nurse / Registered with Heath Care Professionals Council (HCPC) in a discipline relevant to the service
- Degree in health care field or equivalent experience in the health care field
Desirable
- Training in the use of specialist diagnostic assessment tools related to neuro-developmental difference
- Enthusiasm to attend masters level postgraduate courses relevant to the specialist area
Knowledge and Expertise
Essential
- Post registration knowledge that is relevant to the specialist area
- Ability to assess / plan / evaluate care to young people and families
- Support families in crisis
- Demonstrate excellent record keeping
- Demonstrate ability to chair meetings and contribute to team discussions
- Ability to deliver training to other professionals and services
- Knowledge of national and local priorities and changing trends in the specialist area
- Working knowledge of child protection issues
Desirable
- Experience with quality initiatives
- Ability to manage conflict situations to an amicable resolution
- Confidence / experience in managing potentially challenging situations
Experience
Essential
- Post registration experience of working with autistic individuals
- Direct experience of working with people with complex needs (i.e. co-existing differences and difficulties)
- Experience of undertaking projects
Desirable
- Experience of teaching and mentoring others
- Experience of working with autistic children and young people in a variety of mental health services
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.
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).
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.
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).
