Job summary
We are looking for a passionate, skilled professional to join our Neurodevelopmental Service, supporting children and young people across the Hywel Dda region. This is an exciting time to join us, as the service is undergoing significant development and investment following a Welsh Government demand and capacity review.
As a Neurodevelopmental (Autism) Practitioner, you will play a key role in the diagnostic assessment of autism in children and young people under 18. As the service develops, there may also be opportunities to contribute to assessments for other neurodiverse conditions such as ADHD, with full training provided. This role is open to applicants from a range of professional backgrounds who bring expertise in autism and a commitment to improving outcomes for neurodivergent young people.
You'll also support and develop designated members of staff, provide advice and awareness of neurodiversity across agencies to facilitate group activities, contributing to planning and implementation of interventions. If you are enthusiastic, reflective, and eager to contribute to a service in transformation, we would love to hear from you.
Main duties of the job
As a neuro-developmental (Autism) practitioner, the post holder will contribute to the diagnostic assessment of autism in children and young people. This may include other neuro-diverse conditions such as ADHD in the future (additional training will be provided).
Under the guidance of a senior practitioner, they will gain experience and provide specialist advice and support to multi-disciplinary and multi-agency professionals and families working with autistic/neuro-diverse young people or children.
Under the guidance of a senior practitioner, they will gain experience and provide tailored, evidence-based, outcome-focused time limited support to the partners/carers and wider family members of autistic/neuro-diverse children and young people.
About us
Hywel Dda University Health Board plans and provides NHS healthcare services for people living in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire, and bordering counties.
We have over 13,000 staff and together we provide primary, community, in-hospital, mental health and learning disabilities services.
We work in partnership with the three local authorities, as well as public, private and third sector colleagues, including our valued team of volunteers.
Our services are provided in:
- Four main hospitals: Bronglais Hospital in Aberystwyth; Glangwili Hospital in Carmarthen; Prince Philip Hospital in Llanelli; and Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest
- Five community hospitals: Amman Valley and Llandovery hospitals in Carmarthenshire; Tregaron Hospital in Ceredigion; and Tenby and South Pembrokeshire hospitals in Pembrokeshire
- Two integrated care centres: Aberaeron and Cardigan in Ceredigion, and several other community settings
- 47 general practices (six of which are health board managed practices); dental practices (including four orthodontic); 97 community pharmacies; 43 general ophthalmic practices; and 8 ophthalmic domiciliary providers
- Numerous mental health and learning disabilities services
Job description
Job responsibilities
You will be able to find a full job description and person specification attached within the supporting documents.
The Health Board is committed to supporting its staff to fully embrace the need for bilingualism thereby enhancing patient and service user experiences. In our commitment to increase the number of staff who are able to communicate in Welsh with patients and professionals, we welcome applications from Welsh speakers.
The ability to communicate in Welsh is desirable for this post. If you do not meet the Welsh Language requirements specified, the Health Board offers a variety of learning options and staff support to help you meet these minimal desirable requirements during the course of your employment with us.
Interviews will be held on 04/03/2026.
Job description
Job responsibilities
You will be able to find a full job description and person specification attached within the supporting documents.
The Health Board is committed to supporting its staff to fully embrace the need for bilingualism thereby enhancing patient and service user experiences. In our commitment to increase the number of staff who are able to communicate in Welsh with patients and professionals, we welcome applications from Welsh speakers.
The ability to communicate in Welsh is desirable for this post. If you do not meet the Welsh Language requirements specified, the Health Board offers a variety of learning options and staff support to help you meet these minimal desirable requirements during the course of your employment with us.
Interviews will be held on 04/03/2026.
Person Specification
Qualifications & Knowledge
Essential
- Relevant degree in professional specialism (Nursing/Allied Health Professional/Social Worker/Education)
- Registered member of Professional body (NMC, HCPC,ECW,CCW,RCOT)
- Post-registration qualification or demonstrable equivalent experience to post-graduate diploma level
- Demonstrates an understanding of National and Local Autism policy and legislation
- Willingness to train in the use of specific autism diagnostic assessment instruments
- Demonstrates an understanding of the needs of autistic individuals and their families/carers/partners
- Has insight into the changing needs of those with autism across the lifespan
- Has knowledge of multi-agency partnership working and/or provision of multidisciplinary care/support for autistic people
- Has an understanding of the impact of local, cultural, linguistic and demographic factors which influence service delivery in own clinical specialism
- Has knowledge of standards of record keeping
Desirable
- Evidence of attendance on advanced and specialist post graduate courses pertaining to neurodiversity
- Can demonstrate a professional interest in ASD
- Has knowledge of a range of specialist assessment and intervention tools relevant to the client group
Experience
Essential
- Has knowledge of working with autistic adults and/or children and their families
- Willingness to develop knowledge and experience in working with ASD across the life span
- Experience of multi-agency partnership working and ability to promote multi-disciplinary/multiagency and collaborative practice with a wide range of stakeholders and partners
- Ability and experience in developing, planning implementing and delivering a range of training packages to others
- Experience in using information gathering/reporting systems and is IT literate in the use of appropriate software
Desirable
- Experience of working with autistic children and or children with Learning Disabilities or mental ill health
- Knowledge and experience of strategies and approaches that support autistic people and their families
- Demonstrates experience of supporting, supervising and developing skills of less experienced staff
Language Skills
Desirable
Person Specification
Qualifications & Knowledge
Essential
- Relevant degree in professional specialism (Nursing/Allied Health Professional/Social Worker/Education)
- Registered member of Professional body (NMC, HCPC,ECW,CCW,RCOT)
- Post-registration qualification or demonstrable equivalent experience to post-graduate diploma level
- Demonstrates an understanding of National and Local Autism policy and legislation
- Willingness to train in the use of specific autism diagnostic assessment instruments
- Demonstrates an understanding of the needs of autistic individuals and their families/carers/partners
- Has insight into the changing needs of those with autism across the lifespan
- Has knowledge of multi-agency partnership working and/or provision of multidisciplinary care/support for autistic people
- Has an understanding of the impact of local, cultural, linguistic and demographic factors which influence service delivery in own clinical specialism
- Has knowledge of standards of record keeping
Desirable
- Evidence of attendance on advanced and specialist post graduate courses pertaining to neurodiversity
- Can demonstrate a professional interest in ASD
- Has knowledge of a range of specialist assessment and intervention tools relevant to the client group
Experience
Essential
- Has knowledge of working with autistic adults and/or children and their families
- Willingness to develop knowledge and experience in working with ASD across the life span
- Experience of multi-agency partnership working and ability to promote multi-disciplinary/multiagency and collaborative practice with a wide range of stakeholders and partners
- Ability and experience in developing, planning implementing and delivering a range of training packages to others
- Experience in using information gathering/reporting systems and is IT literate in the use of appropriate software
Desirable
- Experience of working with autistic children and or children with Learning Disabilities or mental ill health
- Knowledge and experience of strategies and approaches that support autistic people and their families
- Demonstrates experience of supporting, supervising and developing skills of less experienced staff
Language Skills
Desirable
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).
