Specialist Practitioner

Mencap Bangor, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom

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We are seeking passionate and experienced Specialist Practitioners to join one of our incredible teams in Bangor Northern Ireland. This is an exciting opportunity to make a genuine difference in the lives of people with learning disabilities while helping to shape high-quality, person-centred support.

As a Specialist Practitioner at Mencap, you will play a key role in developing, embedding, and maintaining effective Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) across the service. You will also have management responsibility for the Practitioner team, so previous management experience is essential.

• Lead the transition of functional assessments into robust Positive Behaviour Support plans, ensuring consistent implementation across all shifts
• Provide real-time coaching and modelling of best practice, offering support during high-risk situations to stabilise and reset support
• Coordinate multidisciplinary team (MDT) input and family involvement so clinical recommendations translate into practical daily routines
• Analyse ABC logs, scatter plots, and incident trends to set targets, monitor progress, and drive timely plan reviews
• Oversee proportionate risk assessments and dynamic risk plans, reviewing restrictive practices with the aim of safe reduction and removal
• Lead or contribute to post-incident debriefs, capturing learning and implementing immediate and medium-term improvements
• Quality assure records, reporting, and RQIA readiness, escalating safeguarding concerns appropriately and sharing learning across services
• Promote independence and community participation through structured skill-building, phased plans, and meaningful alternatives to restriction
• Provide line management and leadership to the Practitioner team, supporting development, performance, and best practice

• Advanced practical understanding of PBS and trauma informed support, with the confidence to coach colleagues and model least restrictive practice.
• Relevant qualification in PBS – Level 4 certificate in PBS/Diploma in Practice Leadership of PBS/Postgrad certificate in PBS/MSc in Positive Behaviour Support
• Proven experience supporting individuals with learning disabilities and behaviours of concern
• Confident in PBS tools to adapt support and track impact.
• Previous management or leadership experience (essential)
• Full, clean UK driving licence (essential)
• The person we support has their own vehicle, and driving is a key part of supporting independence and community participation. Therefore, applicants must have a willingness and confidence to drive the person we support’s vehicle as part of the role.
• 12-hour shifts: 9am – 9pm

£32,000 per annum + excellent benefits

We welcome applications from candidates who require visa sponsorship, which may be available for successful applicants in line with UK Home Office requirements.

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