Clinical Nurse Specialist (CYP Learning Disability and/or Autism)
The closing date is 14 August 2026
We are recruiting for a Clinical Nurse Specialist (CYP Learning Disability and/or Autism) who shares our vision to be trusted to provide consistently outstanding care and exemplary service to our patients.
We are in the unique and privileged position of having our acute, community and continuing care services together in one Trust and this brings many benefits for our children and young people (CYP) in terms of a seamless understanding of each others’ services and working together across acute and community services.
We love to listen and use the ideas of our CYP and their families for improvement. Together we have secured funding for this exciting new role.
We look forward to welcoming someone who shares our passion and our vision to provide exceptionally outstanding care and exemplary service to CYP with Learning Disabilities and/or Autism and to support their families and carers.
This role will demonstrate drive and commitment to advocate for CYP, sharing knowledge and experience as a sustainable approach to benefit all Children and Young People accessing services across East and North Hertfordshire Teaching NHS Trust.
At the heart of everything we do are our core values: Include, Respect, and Improve. We encourage you to embrace these values throughout the recruitment process and in your role with us.
Main duties of the job
The role of the Clinical Nurse Specialist will be to act as the clinical expert and professional resource to children and young people (CYP) with learning disabilities and/or autism, and their families and carers, as well as to the multi‑professional teams involved in meeting care needs.
To enable CYP, alongside their family/carers and multidisciplinary teams, to optimise health outcomes, increase CYP knowledge and understanding of individual health needs as they transition into adulthood, and use excellent communication skills and specialist expertise to work collaboratively across teams to lead on the review and improvement of access pathways and quality care delivery.
The post holder will support a culture and environment within ENHT that is conducive to understanding individual needs of CYP with Learning Disabilities and/or autism, and to support those CYP and their families/carers to have a voice, feel supported, informed and engaged in their health care. To advocate for CYP with a learning disability and/or autism.
About us
East and North Hertfordshire Teaching NHS Trust provides a range of general & specialist services staffed by about 6,000 dedicated professionals, delivering high‑quality compassionate care. We run three hospitals: The Lister Hospital, Stevenage; New Queen Elizabeth II (New QEII), Welwyn Garden City; and Hertford County Hospital, Hertford.
We are committed to a positive work‑life balance, offering flexible working patterns and supporting requests formally while balancing service needs.
Job responsibilities
Please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification applicant pack for detailed information regarding this role.
Person Specification
Qualifications/Training
- NMC Registered Nurse (RN Child/RSCN)
- First level degree in a relevant subject
- Post‑basic qualification in a relevant specialist nursing area, such as palliative care
- Evidence of continued professional development and training
- Evidence of master’s level learning or a willingness to work towards it
- Advanced Communication Skills Training or a willingness to work towards it
Previous Experience
- Relevant post registration experience in children’s nursing
- Experience working with children with medical complexity
- Experience of mentorship and teaching
- Proven clinical, organisational and leadership/management experience
- Evidence of multi‑professional working
- Patient coordination experience and evidence of advanced communication skills
- Ability to lead and influence change
Skills
- IT literate
- Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
- Teaching/assessment skills
- Able to undertake pertinent clinical skills
- Self‑motivated with ability to plan, organise and prioritise workload
- Ability to work autonomously and as part of a team
- Ability to be flexible, adaptable and innovative
- Teaching and presentation skills
Knowledge
- Sound knowledge and experience of safeguarding children and vulnerable adults
- Clear understanding and commitment to clinical governance and quality assurance
- Relevant post‑registration training/qualification
- Knowledge of communication with children with special educational needs or sensory impairment
- Ability to interpret and implement research and audit, awareness of current developments in knowledge and service development pertaining to children’s complexity
Other requirements
- Understanding of, and commitment to, equality, diversity, and inclusion
- Experience and evidence of engagement around equality, diversity, and inclusion issues in relation to policy, service development and service delivery for users and staff management
- Role model our Trust values every day
- Act as an ambassador for the Roald Dahl Marvelous Children’s Charity
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
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 (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
East and North Hertfordshire Teaching NHS Trust
£49,387 to £56,515 a year per annum, pro rata
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