Neurodevelopmental Practitioner (Early Years Assessment Pathway)NHS

Job summary

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, weve 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, were looking for a compassionate and skilled Neurodevelopmental Practitioner to join our supportive, forward-thinking team. If youre passionate about clinical excellence, wellbeing, and making a genuine impact, wed love to hear from you.

Main duties of the job

The Role What Youll 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 postholders 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.

Job description

Key Responsibilities:

1. 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), 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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 us

At Oakdale, a leading private mental health service provider, our people are at the heart of everything we do. Were more than a team were a community of passionate, talented professionals committed to delivering excellence in mental health care, case management and service development