About Vertis Health
Vertis Health is a GP-owned organisation in Worcestershire delivering safe, evidence‑based community services through clinician‑led teams, strong governance and continuous service improvement.
Vertis Health delivers the following neurodevelopmental services:
- Adult ADHD
- Adult ASD
- CYP ADHD (assessment and diagnosis pathway)
- CYP ASD (MDT diagnostic assessment pathway)
Primary service focus for this post: CYP ASD assessment and diagnosis.
Role purpose
To deliver high-quality autism (ASD) assessments for children and young people within a governed MDT diagnostic pathway, in line with NICE guidance, Vertis Health SOPs and commissioned service requirements.
The postholder will contribute expert psychological assessment, formulation and diagnostic reasoning, supporting safe, defensible MDT decision‑making, high‑quality reporting and clear communication of outcomes and recommendations to families and referrers.
Why this role exists
Demand for CYP ASD assessments continues to exceed system capacity. This role strengthens quality and capacity within the MDT pathway, maintaining safeguarding, equity and diagnostic integrity while supporting timely access and improved experience for families.
Main duties and responsibilities
Clinical assessment and diagnostic contribution
- Deliver CYP ASD assessments in line with NICE guidance, DSM‑5 / ICD‑11 criteria and Vertis Health SOPs.
- Undertake detailed developmental history taking, psychological assessment and formulation.
- Use validated assessment tools and objective measures as required by the pathway (e.g. ADOS‑2, questionnaires).
- Integrate multi‑informant and multi‑setting evidence (home, education, previous records).
- Contribute psychological expertise to MDT discussion and diagnostic decision‑making.
- Identify co‑occurring neurodevelopmental or mental health needs and escalate safeguarding or risk concerns appropriately.
Documentation and communication
- Produce high‑quality ASD diagnostic reports within agreed timeframes, using clear, neurodiversity‑affirming language.
- Communicate outcomes sensitively to children, young people and families.
- Provide practical, psychologically‑informed recommendations and signposting within service remit.
- Ensure accurate, timely clinical records and correspondence.
Pathway, governance and quality
- Work within clinical governance, consent, confidentiality and safeguarding frameworks.
- Participate in supervision, MDT reflective practice, audit and service improvement activity.
- Support safe interface with CYP ADHD pathways where dual presentation is suspected, ensuring clarity about remit and next steps.
Indicative job plan (37.5 hours)
- Clinical assessment / feedback: 18–22 hours
- Report writing / formulation: 8–10 hours
- MDT, governance, supervision, audit: 3–5 hours
- Admin / liaison: 2–4 hours
Person specification
Essential
- Appropriate qualification in Clinical Psychology.
- Current HCPC registration as a Practitioner Psychologist.
- Significant post‑qualification experience working with children and young people in neurodevelopmental, CAMHS or related services.
- Direct experience contributing to CYP ASD diagnostic assessments within an MDT.
- Strong formulation, clinical reasoning and report‑writing skills.
- Sound understanding of safeguarding and risk in CYP services.
Desirable
- ADOS‑2 trained.
- Experience of working with dual presentation (ASD/ADHD).
- Experience supporting service development or audit activity.
- Experience using EMIS.
Pay: £60,000.00-£70,000.00 per year
Work Location: In person
