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- Tasks: Lead and support individuals with learning disabilities through Positive Behaviour Support.
- Company: Join Mencap, a passionate team making a real difference in Bangor, Northern Ireland.
- Benefits: Enjoy paid holidays, parking, and the chance to shape lives positively.
- Why this job: Make a genuine impact while developing your leadership skills in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in PBS and management, with a relevant qualification essential.
- Other info: Full-time roles with 12-hour shifts; driving is key for supporting independence.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
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.
About the Role
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.
Key Responsibilities
- 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, scatterplots, 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.
Essential Requirements
- 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.
Contract Details
- Full-time contracts available.
- 12-hour shifts: 9am - 9pm.
Additional Information
We welcome applications from candidates who require visa sponsorship, which may be available for successful applicants in line with UK Home Office requirements.
Skills: PBS Experience, management experience working with Learning disability and autism.
Benefits: Paid Holidays, Parking.
Specialist Practitioner employer: Royal Mencap Society
Contact Detail:
Royal Mencap Society Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Specialist Practitioner
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the field of learning disabilities and Positive Behaviour Support. Attend local events or online webinars to meet potential employers and showcase your passion for making a difference.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to PBS and management. We recommend role-playing with a friend or using mock interview platforms to boost your confidence and refine your answers.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your experience! Bring along examples of your previous work, such as successful PBS plans or team leadership achievements. This will help you stand out and demonstrate your capability to lead and support effectively.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in joining our incredible teams.
We think you need these skills to ace Specialist Practitioner
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When you're writing your application, let your passion for supporting individuals with learning disabilities shine through. We want to see your genuine interest in making a difference and how your experiences align with our mission.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight your relevant experience in Positive Behaviour Support and management. We love seeing how your skills match the key responsibilities outlined in the job description.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured applications that make it easy for us to see your qualifications and experiences without wading through unnecessary fluff.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Royal Mencap Society
✨Know Your PBS Inside Out
Make sure you have a solid understanding of Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) principles. Brush up on your knowledge of functional assessments and how to translate them into effective support plans. Being able to discuss specific examples from your experience will show that you’re not just familiar with the theory, but you can apply it in practice.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Since management experience is essential for this role, be prepared to share examples of how you've successfully led a team in the past. Think about challenges you faced, how you motivated your team, and the outcomes of your leadership. This will demonstrate your capability to manage and develop others effectively.
✨Prepare for Real-Life Scenarios
Expect to be asked about high-risk situations and how you would handle them. Prepare some scenarios where you’ve had to coach colleagues or intervene during challenging moments. Highlight your ability to stabilise situations and implement best practices, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Engage with Multidisciplinary Teams
Familiarise yourself with how to coordinate input from various professionals and families. Be ready to discuss how you’ve worked with multidisciplinary teams in the past and how you ensure clinical recommendations are practical and actionable. This shows you understand the importance of collaboration in providing person-centred support.
