Neurodevelopmental Practitioner (CYP Assessment Pathway) in Harrogate

Location: Harrogate/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.

Main duties of the job

The Role What You’ll Do

• To undertake high-quality neurodevelopmental assessments for children, young people and/or adults.
• 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.

Key Responsibilities:

• Clinical Practice & Assessment
• 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).
• Participate actively in multidisciplinary (MDT) discussions and panel formulations to co-produce final diagnostic conclusions.
• Utilise and oversee service-approved technology solutions to enhance pathway efficiency.
• Communicate assessment outcomes and recommendations clearly, professionally and compassionately to clients, families and external professionals.
• Clinical Governance, Quality & Documentation
• 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.
• Identify, assess and appropriately manage safeguarding concerns and clinical risks.
• Multidisciplinary Team Working & Communication
• 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.
• Organisation & Service Delivery
• 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.
• Professional Development & Reflective Practice
• 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.

Person Specification

Experience

• Essential
• Minimum of 1 year of Direct, autonomous experience delivering neurodevelopmental assessments with children, young people, and/or adults.
• 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.
• Desirable
• Direct, autonomous experience delivering neurodevelopmental assessments with children, young people, and/or adults.

Qualifications

• Essential
• Direct competency or certification in neurodevelopmental assessment tools and measures.
• Core professional qualification and current, active registration with one of the following regulatory bodies: NMC, HCPC, Social Work England.

Mobility & Flexibility

• Essential
• Ability and willingness to travel between designated Oakdale centres as required by service needs.

Knowledge and skills

• Essential
• Knowledge of neurodevelopmental conditions and a clear understanding of the assessment process.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to convey sensitive information and build professional relationships.
• Strong organisational, prioritisation, and time-management skills.
• Proficiency in the use of digital systems and technology.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.