About this role
Job summary
Join the Central London Adult Autism Service (CLAAS) as a Highly Specialist Clinical/Counselling Psychologist and help deliver high-quality, neuroaffirmative care to autistic adults.
We are a psychology-led diagnostic service for adults without a learning disability across Westminster, Kensington and Chelsea and Hammersmith and Fulham.
This rewarding role focuses on delivering comprehensive autism assessments and providing brief post-diagnostic support. You will work as an autonomous practitioner within a supportive multidisciplinary environment, using your clinical expertise to consider differential diagnosis, co-occurring mental health needs, and presentations that may have been masked or recognised later in life.
We offer a collaborative and supportive team environment, with access to:
Regular clinical supervision Protected continuing professional development (CPD) Specialist Autism assessment training Opportunities to contribute to service development, audit and research We welcome applications from suitably qualified psychologists with relevant autism assessment experience. For an exceptional candidate who demonstrates the potential to develop into the full responsibilities of the post, the role may be offered as a Band 7 to Band 8a development opportunity.
Main duties of the job
As a key member of the Central London Adult Autism Service, you will use your specialist clinical skills to deliver high-quality, person-centred and neuroaffirmative autism assessments and support.
Your responsibilities will include:
Delivering comprehensive autism diagnostic assessments, including the use of ADOS-2 where appropriate Reaching clear, evidence-based clinical conclusions, considering differential diagnosis, co-occurring mental health needs, and masked or later-recognised presentations Communicating assessment outcomes sensitively, clearly and in a neuroaffirmative way Providing brief post-diagnostic support and guidance Offering consultation and specialist advice to other professionals and services regarding autistic presentation Providing supervision and quality assurance for pre-qualified staff, in line with your level of responsibility and professional competence Managing an allocated caseload and working towards agreed activity expectations within a structured clinic model, supported by supervision and job planning Contributing to audit, research, evaluation and service development You will have the opportunity to work independently while being part of a supportive team committed to continuous learning, high-quality practice and improving the experience of autistic adults accessing our service.
About us
We are proud to be one of the largest community healthcare providers in the country, with more than 4,500 colleagues caring for over four million people across London and Hertfordshire. Every day, our teams bring their skill, compassion, and determination to the people who depend on us.
What inspires us is at the heart of who we are: when we work together, we can help people move forward in ways that truly matter. Our teams support children as they take their first steps in life, and they stand beside adults as they rebuild strength, confidence, and independence. From newborn health visiting to community nursing, stroke rehabilitation, and palliative care, we are there for people through some of life's most important moments.
Joining Central London Community Healthcare means becoming part of a community that lifts each other up. It means working in an organisation that values compassion, welcomes new ideas, and believes in the potential of every colleague. Your development matters here. Your wellbeing matters. Your voice helps shape the future of the care we provide.
We offer a competitive employment package because the work you do matters. At Central London Community Healthcare, you will join an inclusive organisation that invests in its people, supports development, and helps you thrive while delivering high-quality care.
Job description Job responsibilities
This is a broad summary of the role. For the full range of duties, responsibilities and criteria, please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification, which candidates are encouraged to read closely before applying.
Person Specification
Education / Qualification Essential
Doctoral level training in clinical/counselling psychology, BPS accredited HCPC registration as a practitioner psychologist Evidence of continued professional development
Desirable
Formal training in standardised autism assessment tools, e.g. ADOS-2, ADI-R Additional qualifications or formal training in autism, supervision or research
Experience Essential
Experience of specialist psychological assessment and support across a range of care settings Experience of working with autistic adults, including those with co-occurring mental health conditions Experience of teaching and supervising junior psychologists Experience of applying clinical psychology across different cultural contexts
Desirable
Experience of conducting autism diagnostic assessments within an adult service Experience of service development, audit or research Experience of co-production or working alongside experts by experience
Knowledge and Skills Essential
Knowledge of differential diagnosis between autism and other conditions, including masked, atypical and late-recognised presentations Knowledge of neuroaffirmative approaches and current autism research, legislation and drivers Ability to communicate complex, sensitive information compassionately to autistic adults, families and professionals
Desirable
Ability to communicate in a community language spoken in the boroughs served Knowledge of local systems and pathways across health, social care and the third sector
Personal and professional attributes Essential
Demonstrates genuine commitment to improving the lives of autistic adults, with specific supporting evidence Evidence of managing own workload autonomously and meeting deadlines under competing demands Evidence of effective team working and constructive contribution to an MDT Evidence of using supervision reflectively and responding meaningfully to feedback
Desirable
Evidence of continued learning about autism, including from autistic voices and lived experience Evidence of advocating for or empowering disadvantaged service users
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details Employer name Central London Community Health Trust
Address 215 Lisson Grove
London
NW8 8LW
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://clch.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)