Job summary
Child Family Health Devon are developing services for children and young people and transforming how care is delivered. We are developing an innovative, integrated model of children's community services and looking for enthusiastic individuals to join our friendly and dedicated pathways.
As a large community service, you will be joining a strong, enthusiastic and supportive group of professionals who will be your peers, your phone a friend network and your inspiring colleagues. This provides a real sense of professional collaboration at work, that will be an asset to your daily work, your career development and your support network.
As a Learning Disability Support Assistant you will have responsibility for actively participating as a key member of the Specialist Learning Disability Service providing quality services for Children & Young People with a Moderate to Severe Learning Disability under the supervision of a registered professional.If not held , there is an expectation that the successful applicant will undertake the Assistant Practitioner's course or equivalent.
Important Information Regarding Service ChangesWe are currently entering into a formal consultation process to move all Children and Family Health Devon (CFHD) staff to a single provider. As part of this process, staff currently employed by Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust will transfer to Devon Partnership NHS Trust on 1 April 2026. Please note that this may result in some differences in recruitment documentation and processes during this transition period.
Main duties of the job
- You will have responsibility for actively participating as a key member of the clinical team for providing quality services for the Specialist Learning Disability Community Team under the supervision of a registered professional.
- Through the competency framework you can demonstrate an attitude which respects and values service users and their carer's.
- Be accountable and work autonomously within the clearly defined boundaries of the Support Worker role competencies and carry out specific delegated tasks. This may include extended roles delegated by a registered professional.
- You will be expected to deliver care and services within the strategic objectives of the organisation and work within the clinical frameworks of the service.
- These principles will recognise the need to promote safe practice; value the beliefs and aims of service users and carers; work in partnership and offer meaningful choice; and value social inclusion.
About us
The Specialist Learning Disability Service is a service consisting of Learning Disability Nurses , Clinical Psychologists, Therapists, & Assistant Practitioners and support workers who offer a range of services for children and adolescents with a diagnosed Learning Disability , from assessment and intervention to consultation, liaison and training for other agencies.
The service can support Children & Adolescents with a moderate to profound Learning Disability, in conjunction with Complex behavioural, Health or Sleep issues related to this diagnosis.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To communicate with service users about their agreed care plan and overcome any barriers in their understanding and attendance. i.e.:- Adapted communication styles.
- Demonstrate a range of communication skills and be confident in applying these in a variety of clinical and non-clinical settings.
- To provide home and clinic based assessment, consultations and support where appropriate.
- To be an advocate for the clients and their families and ensure their needs are being met i.e.; - Reasonable adjustment, non-discriminatory practice etc
Full Vacancy details can be found on the attached Job Description/Person Specification. Please refer to your suitability to the post in your supporting information from the role requirements or person specification
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To communicate with service users about their agreed care plan and overcome any barriers in their understanding and attendance. i.e.:- Adapted communication styles.
- Demonstrate a range of communication skills and be confident in applying these in a variety of clinical and non-clinical settings.
- To provide home and clinic based assessment, consultations and support where appropriate.
- To be an advocate for the clients and their families and ensure their needs are being met i.e.; - Reasonable adjustment, non-discriminatory practice etc
Full Vacancy details can be found on the attached Job Description/Person Specification. Please refer to your suitability to the post in your supporting information from the role requirements or person specification
Person Specification
Qualifications and training
Essential
- Assistant Practitioner/Nurse Associate Qualification or a commitment to undertake
Desirable
- Teaching / training experience
- Relevant qualification in Learning Disabilities
Knowledge and experience
Essential
- Experience of planning, coordinating and delivering a health improvement programme; including presentation skills
- Good information technology skills & knowledge of office based software (e.g. word processing, spreadsheets & databases)
- Experience and ability to assess health related issues with clients and their families.
- Knowledge of Learning Disabilities and how this may impact a person's well-being, health care, social care and mental health needs
- Knowledge of Autism and how this diagnosis can impact on a person's health and well-being
- Knowledge and Experience of working within a Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) framework
- Experience and ability to complete assessments with a complex client group in a variety of settings
- Experience with working with hard-to-reach families
- Experience in supporting clients who present with behaviours which may be challenging
Desirable
- Partnership working experience
- Experience of developing resources to support positive behavioural changes
- Basic Counselling qualification
- Current First Aid certificate
- Previous experience of working in a Community setting
- An interest in Sleep processes and potential Sleep related health issues
- Knowledge and Experience of working within a Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) framework
Person Specification
Qualifications and training
Essential
- Assistant Practitioner/Nurse Associate Qualification or a commitment to undertake
Desirable
- Teaching / training experience
- Relevant qualification in Learning Disabilities
Knowledge and experience
Essential
- Experience of planning, coordinating and delivering a health improvement programme; including presentation skills
- Good information technology skills & knowledge of office based software (e.g. word processing, spreadsheets & databases)
- Experience and ability to assess health related issues with clients and their families.
- Knowledge of Learning Disabilities and how this may impact a person's well-being, health care, social care and mental health needs
- Knowledge of Autism and how this diagnosis can impact on a person's health and well-being
- Knowledge and Experience of working within a Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) framework
- Experience and ability to complete assessments with a complex client group in a variety of settings
- Experience with working with hard-to-reach families
- Experience in supporting clients who present with behaviours which may be challenging
Desirable
- Partnership working experience
- Experience of developing resources to support positive behavioural changes
- Basic Counselling qualification
- Current First Aid certificate
- Previous experience of working in a Community setting
- An interest in Sleep processes and potential Sleep related health issues
- Knowledge and Experience of working within a Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) framework
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.
