Highly Specialist Autism Practitioner

As one of our valued hybrid Highly Specialist Autism Practitioners you will support clients throughout their assessment journey, conducting key aspects of the diagnostic process both remotely and in person within your local area (Durham) including developmental history interviews and ADOS-2 assessments, while working collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team to provide evidence-based diagnostic outcomes and an excellent experience for clients and families.  

Please note: this is a permanent, full-time (37.5 hours per week) employed position and we're not looking for contractors at the moment.
Location: Durham (We ask that you have access to your own transport and are happy to travel for up to one hour from your home address)

We ask that you have access to your own transport and are happy to travel for up to one hour from your home address.

What you'll be doing:

• Deliver high-quality, evidence-based autism diagnostic assessments for children, young people and adults across the UK through accessible private and NHS commissioned services operated by The Owl to help clients understand their needs and access appropriate support and guidance.

• Deliver high quality remote and face to face ADOS 2 assessments and behavioural observation sessions on a hybrid basis by conducting structured assessments in accordance with evidence based best practice and service standards, to gather reliable clinical evidence, support accurate diagnostic decision making and ensure high-quality autism assessment outcomes.

• Conduct comprehensive developmental history interviews with clients, parents and carers by gathering detailed information about developmental milestones, behaviours and experiences to inform accurate diagnostic decisions and ensure assessments reflect each client’s needs.

• Attend and actively contribute to Multidisciplinary Team meetings, by sharing clinical findings, collaborating with colleagues and discussing assessment outcomes to support robust diagnostic decision making and ensure accurate, evidence-based outcomes.

• Deliver diagnostic feedback and post-diagnostic support sessions by communicating assessment outcomes clearly, compassionately and sensitively while providing relevant information and guidance to help clients and families understand the diagnosis, navigate next steps and access appropriate support.

• Liaise professionally with clients, families, schools, referrers and other stakeholders by maintaining clear, timely and effective communication via telephone, email and virtual platforms throughout the assessment journey to promote collaboration, ensure continuity of care and provide a positive, supportive assessment experience.

• Deliver remote assessments using platforms such as Microsoft Teams by utilising effective IT skills to conduct assessments, maintain accurate documentation and produce high-quality diagnostic reports to ensure accessible, efficient and professional assessment services for clients across the UK.

• Actively identify, manage and escalate clinical risks by recognising potential safeguarding concerns, documenting them accurately and taking appropriate action in line with organisational policies and procedures to safeguard individuals, promote client safety and ensure high standards of clinical care.

• Maintain accurate, timely and compliant clinical records and documentation by recording assessment findings, clinical decisions and relevant information in accordance with professional, regulatory and organisational standards to ensure high-quality patient care, support effective communication and maintain accountability and compliance.

• Produce clear, accurate and evidence based diagnostic reports to a high professional standard by integrating information from multiple assessment sources including developmental histories, clinical observations and multidisciplinary findings to support robust decision making, ensure clear communication of outcomes an inform appropriate recommendations for ongoing support.

• Attend required training, supervision, clinical governance activities and service meetings by engaging in ongoing professional development, reflecting on clinical practice and contributing to team discussions, to maintain clinical competence, uphold professional standards and support continuous service improvement

We'd love it if you're someone who:

• Has excellent report writing, record keeping and clinical documentation skills.

• Has fantastic verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to build rapport with children, adults, families, professionals and colleagues at The Owl through the telephone, emails or virtual platforms.

• Can communicate complex clinical information clearly, sensitively and professionally. 

• Is committed to ethical practice, client welfare, confidentiality and integrity. 

• Possesses excellent time management skills, with the ability to manage workload effectively and meet deadlines. 

• Is committed to working within areas of professional competence and maintaining safe clinical practice. 

• Is committed to continuous professional development and maintaining professional registration requirements.

• Can demonstrate competent IT skills, including the use of Microsoft Teams, clinical record systems and report writing software, to deliver assessments remotely and maintain accurate, timely and compliant electronic clinical records. 

• Can undertake face to face assessments, including ADOS-2 assessments and behavioural observations within the local area.  

We'd love it if you're someone has:

• Current professional registration with the HCPC, NMC or GMC (where applicable). 

• A clinical qualification and registration in one of the following; Occupational Therapy, Speech and Language Therapy, Psychology (Clinical, Counselling or Forensic), Mental Health or Learning Disability Nursing, Paediatrician, Social Work. 

• Fantastic understanding of DSM – 5 diagnostic criteria and NICE guidance relating to autism assessment and diagnosis.

• Experience of delivering evidence based, high-quality autism assessments in line with professional and organisational standards. 

• Experience of effectively managing a caseload to ensure timely assessment journey for clients. 

• Demonstrated experience of identifying, managing and escalating clinical and safeguarding risks appropriately.

• Experience and knowledge of understanding data protection, information governance and secure handling of sensitive information. 

What you'll get:

• Being part a purpose led organisation, with strong values at the heart of everything we do.

• Working alongside our exceptional clinical leadership team and colleagues.

• The opportunity to do amazing work with our charity 'Waiting Well'

• 50% off assessments, making Autism & ADHD assessments more accessible for you and your family.

• Great leave benefits package includes 25 days of annual leave, increasing by 1 day after only 1 year service up to a maximum of 30 days, your birthday off, and a 'you do you' day to spend on yourself.

• Hybrid & Home working offering the perfect blend of flexibility and in-person collaboration!

• Growth opportunities, as we grow our teams.

• Protected time to connect with colleagues.

• Salary exchange pension - 3% employee, 6% employer contribution

You’re someone who connects with our values:

• We are one team

• We are reliable

• We are creative

• We are passionate

Don’t be put off if you cannot tick all the boxes. We know that candidates can be put off applying if you don’t feel you are a 100% there, but we would still love to hear from you! We get that a diverse workforce makes a great workforce, this is the reason we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive culture where our people can turn up, be themselves & thrive.

We want you to be as relaxed as possible during our selection journey which may require an adjustment to our process. We encourage you to be open about what you need so we can adapt and allow you to thrive.

Closing Date: 30/10/2026

We may close this vacancy earlier than the advertised closing date if we receive a high volume of suitable applications. To avoid disappointment, we encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible.

A note on AI usage

We recognise that using Artificial intelligence (AI) tools in applications is becoming increasingly common. We welcome anything that creates a more inclusive recruitment process and supports candidates from all backgrounds to thrive. 

If you do choose to use AI, we gently ask that you ensure all the skills, qualifications, and employment history you list are an accurate reflection of you and your background. The application stage is our first impression of you, so we really want to see your personality and voice shine through! 

If you're invited to interview, we'll use the conversation to explore your background, experiences and motivations in more detail. Whether you've used AI to help shape your application or not, what matters most is that the content is an honest reflection of you and that you're able to speak confidently about your experience in person.