Neurodiversity Worker

Job Introduction

Job Title:

Neurodiversity Worker
- Building Bridges

Starting Salary: £42,839 progressing to £47,181 per annum
- Pay award pending

Hours:

37

Base

Location:

x1 East
- Stevenage / x1 West
- Hemel Hempstead

Contract Type:
Permanent

Directorate:
Children's Services

The Building Bridges service aims to reduce the overall number of children in care by preventing episodes of care and reunifying children in care with their families and communities where this is safe and in the best interests of the child. Research shows that outcomes for children are better when they are supported to stay with their families rather than when in care.

Building Bridges is a non‑case holding, intensive intervention service working alongside the social care Area Teams who take case responsibility.

The Neurodiversity worker will provide specialist advice and support to professionals and families who are in / open to the Building Bridges service and where neurodivergence (diagnosed or undiagnosed) is a feature of their presentation.

• Support the assessment and formulation of need of children open to the Building Bridges service (this does not mean diagnostic assessment of Autism or ADHD)
• Input into the planning of interventions to be delivered by the ‘Staying Together’ or ‘Reunification’ workers to ensure neurodiversity needs are met
• Build the capacity of the wider team through training, case consultations and trouble‑shooting
• Develop ‘parents as practitioners’ by coming alongside families to help them to develop and use strategies to support their children
• Support signposting and ‘warm handovers’ to the Neurodiversity Support Hub and work closely with this resource to increase the support network
• Provide advocacy for and within families where neurodiversity is impacting on the progress of plans and professional understanding: where further support is needed to make reasonable adjustments and where environmental / relational change is needed to affect change and avoid pathologising
• Work closely with the Transforming Care Team, Advisory teachers and PALMS as well as other services and professionals to ensure clear pathways and consistent practice, brokering joint work / consultation where this is in the best interests of the child
• Make / support referrals to the Complex Case Consultation Panel
• Monitor outcomes and evaluate the support provided
• Participate in statutory and network meetings
• Provide observations to clinicians undertaking formal assessments
• Help parents make sense of their own needs in relation to potential neurodivergence
• Work effectively within a diverse team, with a range of experiences and specialisms including child and parental mental health and trauma.

• A track record of working in safeguarding families with complex needs and the ability to make autonomous decisions
• Intimate understanding of neurodivergence evidence base and best practice (meets Autism Capabilities Framework level 2 or above, evidence of specific CPD in the SEMH field)
• A demonstrable understanding of intersecting needs
• Ability to work in a multi‑disciplinary environment, negotiate joint formulation and plans
• Upholding and modelling a needs‑led (rather than diagnostic) approach
• Be trauma aware and knowledgeable about how acute distress impacts on children and families
• Preferably will be conversant in AMBIT, NVR and ARC (however training will be provided)
• A flexible, holistic, person‑centred approach valuing trust, empowerment and professional curiosity
• Experience of delivering training / providing advice and guidance in relation to specific children / families
• Ability to manage networks of professionals and provide challenge where needed
• Ability to scaffold relationships within families
• IT system proficiency, accurate and sympathetic recording

This is a new role which will give an exceptional person the opportunity to shape the position and contribute to an important proof of concept of how to meet intersecting needs. Ensuring that neurodivergence is not a barrier to families staying together when they are in acute distress is part of our commitment to the most vulnerable…