The purpose of the Autism Outreach Service (AOS) is to provide tailored support to children and young people (CYP) and Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or those currently on the pathway to diagnosis.
This support is designed to address the specific needs and goals of service users, which may include challenges related to accessing or maintaining education, managing co-occurring physical and mental health conditions, and addressing the impact of neurodiversity within families.
The Adaptive Therapist within the Autism Outreach Service is responsible for delivering tailored therapeutic interventions to children and young people (CYP) or adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or those currently undergoing diagnosis.
The role focuses on addressing the specific needs and goals of each individual, which may include challenges accessing or maintaining education or employment, managing co-occurring physical and mental health conditions, and supporting families in navigating the impact of neurodiversity.
The work primarily takes place in a clinical or office setting and will often direct interaction with CYP and their families
This service runs Monday to Saturday 8am -8pm. This is a full-time position with the flexibility to work evenings and weekends as required.
Package DescriptionYou will feel valued as an Adaptive Therapist within our Autism Outreach Service within HCRG Care Group, receiving access to exclusive rewards and benefits including:
AfC Band 6 salary with NHS Pension and Agenda for Change terms and conditions
Membership of My Reward Hub, giving you access to discounts on every day purchases like grocery shopping as well as cashback and voucher offers for treats for you and those special to you
Access to your wages as you earn them to help cover life’s emergencies and avoid overdraft fees or high interest rates
Online and face to face help with your mental and physical wellbeing – from healthy recipes and activity challenges through to post trauma support, legal, debt and life management help, as well career coaching and counselling
Access to eLearning, bespoke career pathways and opportunities for continuing professional development through our ‘Outstanding’ learning and development team, The Learning Enterprise
An open, just culture where you’re encouraged to have and implement ideas which can help us deliver our purpose: changing lives through transforming health and care – backed up by at least £100,000 of ringfenced innovation funding each year
The pride of working for an organisation committed to the highest clinical and quality standards: with a majority of our rated services holding “good” or “outstanding” ratings from the Care Quality Commission
Main Responsibilities
Assessment and Individualised Treatment Planning:
Conduct comprehensive assessments to evaluate the adaptive skills, strengths, and challenges of CYP or adults with ASD.
Develop individualised treatment plans based on assessment findings, client goals, and evidence-based practices.
Therapeutic Interventions:
Provide a range of therapeutic interventions tailored to the unique needs of each individual, with the knowledge and skills to be able to adapt therapeutic approaches to accommodate the sensory sensitivities and preferences of CYP or adults with ASD
Family Support and Education:
Offer guidance, education, and support to families on understanding ASD, implementing effective strategies at home, and promoting positive relationships.
System Integration and Advocacy:
Engage with system partners, including education, health, social care, and voluntary sectors, to advocate for the needs of CYP with ASD and their families.
Collaborate with community groups and forums to promote awareness, inclusivity, and cultural competence in supporting neurodiverse populations.
Utilise existing strong, collaborative relationships with system partners to advocate for system and cultural shifts that better support service users and their families. This may involve raising awareness, promoting inclusive practices, and influencing policy development.
Documentation and Evaluation:
Maintain accurate and up-to-date documentation of assessment results, treatment plans, progress notes, and discharge summaries.
Participate in service evaluation and improvement initiatives to ensure the delivery of high-quality, evidence-based interventions.
Please see attached job description for a full list of responsibilities
The Ideal Candidate
Qualifed Mental Health Therapist.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
Empathy, patience, and the ability to build rapport with young people and their families.
Organisational skills for coordinating treatment schedules and addressing logistical concerns.
Understanding of the CAMHS system and the components of treatment plans.
The ability to explain complex information in an accessible manner.
Strong team player with the ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues and volunteers.
This role requires flexibility in working hours to accommodate the availability of young clients and their families and will involve evening and weekend activities
A valid driver's license and access to a vehicle for travel to different locations, including schools and partner organiations.
Please see attached Job Description for full Personal Specification.
About The CompanyWe change lives by transforming health and care.
Established in 2006, we are one of the UK's leading independent providers of community health and care services, working with health and care commissioners and communities to transform services with a focus on experience, efficiency and improved outcomes. We deliver and transform adult and children community health services, primary care services including urgent care, sexual health, dermatology and MSK services as well as adult social care and wellbeing services. Across England, we support communities of many millions and directly help more than half a million people each year - guided by our simple values: we care, we think, we do.
We're committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from a broad, diverse range of people who want to join our team. We’re a Disability Confident Committed company, so we work to provide facilities, work environment adjustments and technical solutions to be as inclusive of everyone.
While it doesn’t happen often, sometimes a role is very popular, and we’ll need to close it earlier than the date we’ve shown here. If you’re keen to join our team, we’d love to hear from you so please apply as soon as you can.
As you’d expect, safeguarding and protecting the children, young people and vulnerable adults that we work with is of the utmost importance so we have policies and procedures in place to promote safeguarding and safer working practices and everyone who joins the team is subject to a safer recruitment process, including the disclosure of criminal records and vetting checks.
Finally, we need to let you know that the company you’ll work for is part of HCRG Care Group Holdings Limited and by applying for this job we’ll need to process and hold information about you. If you would like to know a little more about how we use your information, please see our website's privacy policy.
