Assistant Practitioner

Job Summary

Children and Family Health Devon (CFHD) is recruiting a Band 4 Assistant Practitioner to join our Neurodiversity Pathway. This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a multidisciplinary team offering holistic and personalised neurodiversity assessments for neurodivergent young people.

This is an opportunity for an Assistant Practitioner to work closely with other professional groups such as Speech and Language Therapists, Nurses, Occupational Therapists, Clinical Psychologists and Social Workers to develop knowledge and skills in a range of specialisms and we are committed to continued professional development.

Additionally, there will be opportunities to provide advice, consultation and needs led support to children, young people and their families.

This role is suitable for applicants who already hold a Level 5 Health and Social Care qualification, or those looking to train into the role. A trainee post (Band 3) will be offered to suitable candidates without the qualification, with support to complete the required foundation degree within two years.

Main duties of the job

• To work within the Multi-disciplinary Team to carry out high-quality, evidence based neurodevelopmental assessments with children and young people open to the neurodiversity pathway
• Under the supervision of registered clinicians, Assistant Practitioners will be involved in information gathering, observing young people within settings such as school, home or clinic and carrying out standardised assessments such as the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS).
• To participate in service development as required.
• Liaise with schools, families, and multi-agency colleagues to inform brief holistic needs led support for neurodivergent young people.
• Maintain accurate IT based clinical records
• Uphold safeguarding responsibilities with supervision.
• Work flexibly and independently as part of a wider multi-disciplinary team across North Devon and as part of a Devon wide pathway.
  
  

We Offer:

• A trainee route into the Assistant Practitioner role (if required)
• Regular line management, clinical and peer supervision, training and support from experienced clinicians.
• Opportunity to develop your clinical skills and contribute to meaningful change in childrens lives.
  
  

If you are caring, motivated and passionate about supporting neurodivergent children and young people, we would love to hear from you.

About Us

Children and Family Health Devon (CFHD) comprises an Alliance of NHS organisations working together to improve health outcomes for children and young people in Devon.

CFHD provides integrated care and treatment for children and young people across physical and mental health. We are working closely with other organisations and providers to ensure we deliver locality and county-wide based integrated access to all of our services, based on the i-Thrive Framework, in response to consultation with our service users and communities.

CFHD works closely with our local universities of Plymouth, Exeter & the Peninsula Medical School where we support students in clinical training placements and in addition support our own staff to undertake post graduate training.

Our integrated care and treatment has been developed and refined in partnership with children, young people and their families/carers.

Our children and young people say

We would like the people who work for Children and Family Health Devon to be understanding, patient and respectful. They should be trustworthy and make us feel safe and comfortable. It is important that they use their skills and experience to listen carefully in a non-patronising and non-judgemental way. When staff are positive and friendly, they help to create an environment that is informal and without pressure.

Our vision is to be a successful, vibrant, partnership that benefits the communities we serve.

Details

Date posted

03 October 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£27,485 to £30,162 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

C9369-25-0783

Job locations

Integrated Childrens Services

Fishleigh Road

Roundswell Business Park

Barnstaple

Devon

EX31 3UD

Job Description

Job responsibilities

For full details of the role and a detailed person specification, please see attached Job Description.

Job Description

Job responsibilities

For full details of the role and a detailed person specification, please see attached Job Description.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Must already hold or obtain the Care Certificate within the first 3 months of employment
• GCSE in Maths and English (Grade C or above) OR Level 2 Key Skills / Functional Skills in Maths and English
• Foundation Degree in Health and Social Care or qualification to diploma level or equivalent
• Evidence of additional relevant health training eg. Eating disorders /Working with young people experience/ Eating disorder/Social Care.
  
  

Experience

Essential

• Previous experience working in a range of different mental health care settings
• Experience of working autonomously and using own initiative
• Working with young people with challenging behaviour and complex health needs
  
  

Knowledge

Essential

• Knowledge of a range of Mental Health presentations and medications
• An understanding of physical health problems which can impact on a persons mental health and monitoring of the same.
  
  

Person Specification

Essential

• Knowledge of a range of Mental Health presentations and medications
• An understanding of physical health problems which can impact on a persons mental health and monitoring of the same.
  
  

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.

Employer details

Employer name

Devon Partnership NHS Trust

Address

Integrated Childrens Services

Fishleigh Road

Roundswell Business Park

Barnstaple

Devon

EX31 3UD

Employer's website

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

Employer details

Employer name

Devon Partnership NHS Trust

Address

Integrated Childrens Services

Fishleigh Road

Roundswell Business Park

Barnstaple

Devon

EX31 3UD

Employer's website

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