Neurodevelopmental Practitioner (Early Years Assessment Pathway) - Transform Lives with Oakdale
Location: Harrogate/Horsforth/Hybrid
Hours: 37.5 hours per week although part time hours with a minimum of 22.5 hours per week across 3 days may be considered.
Salary: £39,474 - £56,000 per annum FTE depending on experience
Make a Difference Every Day
At Oakdale, we believe in care that changes lives. For over 25 years, we’ve been delivering trusted, evidence-based therapies and assessments for children, young people, and adults. As a values-driven, not-for-profit organisation, we work with the NHS, schools, local authorities, and private clients, always putting people first.
Now, we’re looking for a compassionate and skilled Neurodevelopmental Practitioner to join our supportive, forward-thinking team. If you’re passionate about clinical excellence, wellbeing, and making a genuine impact, we’d love to hear from you.
The Role - What You'll Do
To undertake high-quality neurodevelopmental assessments for children, young people and/or adults. Depending on the specific clinical pathway (e.g, ADHD vs. Autism/combined assessments), the postholder will formulate clinical outcomes either as an autonomous single clinician or collaboratively as part of a Multidisciplinary Team (MDT).
The postholder will work in accordance with professional standards, Oakdale policies, and service requirements, supporting the safe, effective, and efficient delivery of neurodevelopmental services. Clinical duties and the level of independent practice permitted are strictly governed by the postholder’s formal progression and sign-off through the Oakdale Clinical Development Framework, working under direct clinical supervision until independent competency has been successfully demonstrated and documented.
Key Responsibilities:
1. Clinical Practice & Assessment
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Undertake comprehensive neurodevelopmental assessments in accordance with Oakdale pathways, professional standards and national clinical guidelines (e.g., NICE)
- Conduct developmental history interviews, direct observations and other assessment activities appropriate to professional background, training and documented competency level.
- Gather, analyse, and integrate multi-source information to form robust clinical formulations and support diagnostic decision-making.
- Formulate diagnostic outcomes and clinical conclusions independently when operating on single-clinician assessment pathways (e.g., ADHD), ensuring practice aligns with professional guidelines and formal sign-off against the internal framework
- Participate actively in multidisciplinary (MDT) discussions and panel formulations to co-produce final diagnostic conclusions, utilizing the oversight and support of senior clinicians where required.
- Utilise and oversee service-approved technology solutions (including dictation, transcription, and automated documentation systems) to enhance pathway efficiency, maintaining ultimate clinical accountability for decision-making and reviewing, quality-checking, and professionally signing off the clinical accuracy of all final outputs.
- Communicate assessment outcomes and recommendations clearly, professionally and compassionately to clients, families and external professionals.
2. Clinical Governance, Quality & Documentation
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Maintain accurate, contemporaneous and professional clinical records in accordance with organisational and professional regulatory standards.
- Complete clinical documentation, reports, risk assessments and administrative tasks within agreed timescales.
- Demonstrate clear clinical reasoning and evidence-based decision-making that meets established quality assurance standards
- Participate actively in clinical audits, quality assurance processes, and service improvement initiatives
- Work strictly within professional scope of practice, maintaining a comprehensive awareness of relevant healthcare legislation, safeguarding frameworks, and professional guidance, seeking support where required.
- Identify, assess and appropriately manage safeguarding concerns and clinical risks, escalating concerns promptly in accordance with Oakdale policies and procedures
3. Multidisciplinary Team Working & Communication
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Participate actively in multidisciplinary discussions, panels and decision-making processes.
- Build and maintain highly effective, collaborative, and professional working relationships across the organisation and with external stakeholders.
- Engage proactively with organisational communications and professional directives.
4. Organisation & Service Delivery
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Manage individual workloads and caseloads efficiently to optimise pathway flow, service delivery requirements, and agreed productivity expectations.
- Proactively monitor capacity and escalate operational barriers, constraints, or service risks to management in a timely manner.
- Demonstrate flexibility regarding working practices, designated clinical locations, and evolving service priorities
5. Professional Development & Reflective Practice
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Maintain active, professional registration and comply fully with the codes of conduct of the relevant regulatory body.
- Take personal responsibility for ongoing professional development, lifelong learning, and maintaining an up-to-date log of clinical competencies
- Attend and actively participate in supervision, training, reflective practice, and competency development activities, and demonstrate learning through application of feedback.
- Contribute positively to team development, peer learning, and service improvement initiatives.
About You:
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We are looking to recruit into our Early Years assessment pathway (2-5 year olds), and therefore require experience working specially with younger children.
- Practitioners will be assigned a primary base. Travel between centres will be required during induction and training periods, with arrangements planned and communicated in advance.
Qualifications & Professional Registration
Essential
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Direct competency or certification in neurodevelopmental assessment tools and measures (e.g, ADOS-2, SCQ, ADI-R, DIVA, or Young DIVA)
- Core professional qualification and current, active registration with one of the following regulatory bodies:
- NMC: Nursing
- HCPC: Speech & Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy, or Clinical/Forensic/Counselling Psychology
- Social Work England: Social Work
Experience
Essential
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Minimum of 1 year of Direct, autonomous experience delivering neurodevelopmental assessments with children or young people.
- Experience working within a mental health, neurodevelopmental, neurodiversity-focused, or relevant clinical setting.
- Experience producing high-quality, comprehensive clinical documentation and robust multi-source formulations to a professional standard.
- Experience working collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams, contributing to clinical formulations and shared decision-making.
- Experience operating within safeguarding, risk management, and professional clinical governance frameworks.
Desirable
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Direct, autonomous experience delivering neurodevelopmental assessments with children, young people, and/or adults across either single-clinician or MDT pathways
Knowledge & Skills
Essential
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Knowledge of neurodevelopmental conditions (e.g., Autism, ADHD) and a clear understanding of the assessment process.
- Excellent communication skills, with the ability to convey sensitive information and build professional relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders.
- Strong organisational, prioritisation, and time-management skills, with a track record of meeting clinical and operational deadlines.
- Proficiency in the use of digital systems and technology, including electronic patient records
Desirable
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Direct competency or certification in neurodevelopmental assessment tools and measures (e.g, ADOS-2, SCQ, ADI-R, DIVA, or Young DIVA).
Mobility & Flexibility
Essential
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Ability and willingness to travel between designated Oakdale centres as required by service needs.
Desirable
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Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle for work purposes
Why Join Oakdale?
At Oakdale, your well-being and growth matter as much as the clients you support. We offer a package designed for balance, flexibility, and long-term career satisfaction, including:
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33 days’ annual leave (including bank holidays), increasing with service
- Flexible and agile working from day one
- SimplyHealth: 24/7 GP access, counselling, physiotherapy, and more
- Exclusive, heavily discounted rates for you and your family on private ADHD and autism neurodevelopmental assessments, through our own expert service.*
- Fully funded flu vaccines
- Employee Wellbeing Initiative with trained mental health champions
- Smart Pension & Rewards: plan for your future with discounts and cashback
- Enhanced Occupational Sick Pay
- Cycle to Work & Technology Salary Sacrifice schemes
- Employee discount scheme
- Protected CPD days, annual away days, and high-quality training
- Professional registration fees covered (where applicable)
- Opportunities to influence service improvement and innovation
- Laptop, monitor, keyboard, and any additional equipment you need to do your best work
- Discounts apply to dependents living within the same household.
Apply Today
This is more than just a clinical role; it’s a career with purpose, flexibility, and impact. Join Oakdale and help us continue transforming lives.
We reserve the right to close early and so early applications are encouraged.
Apply now and make a real difference
Oakdale is proud to be a registered Disability Confident Committed Employer.
At Oakdale, a leading private mental health service provider, our people are at the heart of everything we do. We’re more than a team - we’re a community of passionate, talented professionals committed to delivering excellence in mental health care, case management and service development
