Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust

Autism and Learning Disability Nurse Specialist (Mat Cover)

The closing date is 09 March 2026

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Job summary

This is a unique opportunity to work within an acute Trust to support the continued development of high quality services to meet the holistic needs of patients with Autism and/ or Learning Disabilities and to develop the educational plan for staff of all disciplines to equip them to meet these needs.

The role requires leadership for the development and implementation of the Autism and Learning Disability Strategy in the Trust. The post holder will demonstrate high level of specialist knowledge and expertise providing advice, education and support to staff, patients, their families and carers.

The post holder will deliver an effective Autism and/or Learning Disabilities service across the RSFT sites, working closely with the Paediatric learning disability nurse and the acute liaison learning disability nurse to drive service improvementsTo maintain links with community LD teams, the Integrated Care Board, patient and carers groups in order to develop services which meet the needs of Autism and/ or learning disability patients and their families/ carers.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will provide clinical leadership to support the ongoing development of high-quality services for patients with Autism and/or Learning Disabilities. They will lead the development and implementation of Autism and Learning Disability service delivery across the Trust, including the delivery of the educational programme for staff to promote best practice.The post holder will demonstrate specialist knowledge and provide advice, support to patients and their families/carers. They will contribute to the Trust's strategic direction by providing vision, professional leadership, and oversight to ensure the delivery of high-quality nursing care across hospital and community services.

About us

Royal Surrey is a compassionate and collaborative acute and community Trust. Recognising that our 5000 colleagues are our greatest strength, we offer a comprehensive health and wellbeing program along with a commitment to developing and advancing your career. Our diverse and welcoming Royal Surrey family will ensure you that you feel valued from your initial interview through your entire tenure.

We are clinically led and provide joined up care by bridging the gap between hospital and community services alongside regional specialist cancer care. Our main acute hospital site is in Guildford with community hospital sites at Milford, Haslemere and Cranleigh. We provide adult community health services in homes across Guildford and Waverley.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) have given us an overall rating of Outstanding.

Royal Surrey has a strong reputation and history to build on. We are proud of our achievements and we are investing in our colleagues through our commitment to supporting professional development as well as investing more than £45 million in our physical environment and new equipment in the next few years. There has never been a better time to join us.

Although it isn't the Trusts normal practice, adverts may close early, so you are encouraged to submit an application as soon as possible.

A video about the Royal Surrey - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R96pMboIYdo

Details

Date posted

24 February 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8a

Salary

£57,888 to £64,880 a year per annum pro rata includes high cost area supplements (HCAS)

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

9 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

384-AGB-EMF19971-8a

Job locations

Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust

Guildford

GU2 7XX


Job description

Job responsibilities

The post holder will deliver an effective Autism and/or Learning Disabilities service across all RSFT sites, working closely with the Paediatric Learning Disability Nurse and the Acute Liaison Learning Disability Nurse to drive service improvements. They will maintain strong links with community Learning Disability teams, carers groups, and patients to ensure services are developed in line with the needs of individuals with Autism and/or Learning Disabilities and their families/carers.The post holder will work alongside the Deputy Director for Nursing to progress the Trusts Autism and Learning Disability agenda and support the delivery of the associated strategy. They will also promote the rights, interests, needs, and choices of service users, carers, and other key stakeholders in the planning, delivery, and review of services for patients with Autism and/or Learning Disabilities.

Job description

Job responsibilities

The post holder will deliver an effective Autism and/or Learning Disabilities service across all RSFT sites, working closely with the Paediatric Learning Disability Nurse and the Acute Liaison Learning Disability Nurse to drive service improvements. They will maintain strong links with community Learning Disability teams, carers groups, and patients to ensure services are developed in line with the needs of individuals with Autism and/or Learning Disabilities and their families/carers.The post holder will work alongside the Deputy Director for Nursing to progress the Trusts Autism and Learning Disability agenda and support the delivery of the associated strategy. They will also promote the rights, interests, needs, and choices of service users, carers, and other key stakeholders in the planning, delivery, and review of services for patients with Autism and/or Learning Disabilities.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Registered Learning Disability Nurse.
  • Degree level or evidence of relevant experience.
  • Teaching qualification.
  • Healthcare management / leadership qualification.

Desirable

  • Masters or evidence of relevant expereince.

Knowledge

Essential

  • Experience at a senior nursing level within acute hospital setting.
  • Demonstrates specialist knowledge underpinned by theory and CPD relevant to autism and/ or learning disability.
  • Must have an understanding of the background to and aims of current NHS healthcare policy/national guidance/CQC/ and appreciate the implications of this on engagement.
  • Knowledge of recent government legislation and documents related to Autism and/or Learning disability.
  • Experience of significant contribution to innovative practice, change management and quality improvement.
  • Have significant experience of caring for LD and/or Autism patients in an acute hospital.
  • Evidence in changing practice and project management.
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Registered Learning Disability Nurse.
  • Degree level or evidence of relevant experience.
  • Teaching qualification.
  • Healthcare management / leadership qualification.

Desirable

  • Masters or evidence of relevant expereince.

Knowledge

Essential

  • Experience at a senior nursing level within acute hospital setting.
  • Demonstrates specialist knowledge underpinned by theory and CPD relevant to autism and/ or learning disability.
  • Must have an understanding of the background to and aims of current NHS healthcare policy/national guidance/CQC/ and appreciate the implications of this on engagement.
  • Knowledge of recent government legislation and documents related to Autism and/or Learning disability.
  • Experience of significant contribution to innovative practice, change management and quality improvement.
  • Have significant experience of caring for LD and/or Autism patients in an acute hospital.
  • Evidence in changing practice and project 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.

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.

UK Registration

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

Employer details

Employer name

Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust

Guildford

GU2 7XX


Employer's website

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

Employer details

Employer name

Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust

Guildford

GU2 7XX


Employer's website

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

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Deputy Director of Nursing

Helen Whitsed

helen.whitsed@nhs.net

01483571122

Details

Date posted

24 February 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8a

Salary

£57,888 to £64,880 a year per annum pro rata includes high cost area supplements (HCAS)

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

9 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

384-AGB-EMF19971-8a

Job locations

Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust

Guildford

GU2 7XX


Supporting documents

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