About this role
Job summary
Central Services, Doncaster ( with travel to our other services across Yorkshire and Lincolnshire).
Are you a HCPC registered Dietician looking for a role where your expertise truly makes a difference?
Were proud to be creating a new Dietician role within our Clinical Services team. This is a unique opportunity to shape dietetic practice across residential and supported living services for adults with learning disabilities and intensive specialist support needs, placing nutrition at the heart of person-centred care.
As our Dietician, you'll provide specialist clinical consultancy and hands-on dietetic support across our services, working closely with the people we support, care teams, families, and a wide multidisciplinary network including Speech and Language Therapists, GPs, psychologists and inhouse chefs.
You'll combine direct clinical practice with service development, quality improvement and workforce education, helping to embed safe, evidence-based nutrition and hydration as a core part of everyday care while influencing the future growth of our clinical team.
Main duties of the job
Key responsibilities include:
Delivering person-centred, strengths-based dietetic care that respects choice, dignity and autonomyUndertaking holistic nutritional assessments considering communication needs, sensory sensitivities, culture, routines and complex health needsDeveloping individualised nutrition and hydration plans in partnership with people, families and professionalsLeading on menu planning, nutritional standards and hydration strategies in residential settingsProviding training and guidance on nutrition, hydration, sensory needs, safe mealtime practice and dysphagia awarenessIdentifying and managing nutrition-related risks, contributing to safeguarding and Mental Capacity Act processesHelping to shape and develop this new role, using outcomes, audit data and feedback to drive service improvement
About us
For over 50 years, Hesley Group has provided specialist care, support and education for people with complex care needs, including behaviours that challenge and a learning disability, often in association with autism.
What we offer:
Be part of a values led organisation that truly puts people firstShape a new clinical role with real influence and autonomyWork collaboratively within a supportive multidisciplinary teamMake a meaningful impact on independence, wellbeing and quality of life35 days holidayGenerous pension scheme.Ongoing training and development to help you grow.Cycle to Work scheme and retail discounts.Electric car scheme.Employee Assistance ProgrammeIf you're passionate about improving lives through high quality, inclusive dietetic care, wed love to hear from you. Apply now and help us make nutrition a foundation of great support.
Job description Job responsibilities
Overview:
The Dietitian will provide specialist clinical consultancy and hands-on dietetic support across residential and supported living settings, ensuring that nutritional care is safe, person-centred, evidence-based, and responsive to the complex needs of autistic adults and adults with learning disabilities.
Working closely with the people we support, care teams, managers, families, Speech and Language Therapists, GPs, In House chefs and other professionals, you will ensure that nutrition and hydration actively contribute to wellbeing, independence, and quality of life.
This post will influence practice from the outset and generate learning and evidence to support the future expansion of our clinical team. The role combines direct clinical input with service development, quality improvement, and workforce education, ensuring nutrition is embedded as a core element of person-centered care.
Key Responsibilities:
Putting People First
Deliver person centred, strengths based dietetic care that respects choice, dignity, autonomy, and individual lived experience.Undertake holistic nutritional assessments that consider:
oCommunication needs
oSensory sensitivities and preferences
oCultural background and personal routines
oPhysical and mental health needs
Develop individualised nutrition and hydration plans in partnership with people, families, carers, and multidisciplinary professionals.Adapt communication methods and resources (including easy read and visual supports) to ensure people are actively involved in decisions about their care.Support people through complex or distressing situations relating to food, weight, health conditions, or restrictive eating with empathy and compassion.
Passionate About Quality
Act as an autonomous Dietician, ensuring high-quality, evidence based practice across services.Work collaboratively with Speech and Language Therapists, GPs, nurses, psychologists, and care teams to deliver coordinated, effective care.Lead on menu planning, nutritional standards, and hydration strategies suitable for residential environments.Ensure all dietetic practice aligns with:
oBritish Dietetic Association guidance
oNICE recommendations
oSocial care best practice and regulatory standards
Contribute to care reviews, MDT discussions, safeguarding processes, and best interest decision making where nutrition is a key consideration.
Progress Focused
Shape and develop this new role, embedding dietetic practice within the organisation and influencing future clinical service design.Use outcomes, audit data, and feedback to demonstrate impact and inform service improvement.Support quality improvement initiatives and contribute to clinical governance.Deliver training and education to care teams, building confidence and consistency in:
oNutrition and hydration
oSupporting sensory and food related needs
oSafe mealtime practices and dysphagia awareness
Support the development of future dietetic and wider clinical roles as part of the organizations growth strategy.
Prioritising Safety
Identify, assess, and manage nutrition related risks, including:
oMalnutrition and dehydration
oDiagnosis related conditions
oWeight related health complications
Provide expert advice to support safe care planning and risk management.Ensure documentation is accurate, timely, and compliant with professional and organisational standards.Work within safeguarding frameworks and the Mental Capacity Act, contributing to risk assessments, best interest decisions, and care planning.Promote safe practices within residential settings through training, guidance, and ongoing professional oversight.
Person Specification
Skills & Knowledge Essential
Sensory processing differences and food-related behaviours Dysphagia and joint working with Speech and Language Therapists Person-centred, trauma-informed and least restrictive approaches Knowledge of safeguarding, Mental Capacity Act, and social care regulation.
Qualifications Essential
HCPC Registered Dietitian (UK) with a valid registration number. Degree in Dietetics / Nutrition or equivalent recognised qualification.
Desirable
Membership of the British Dietetic Association, ideally with engagement in a relevant specialist group.
Experience Essential
Experience managing complex caseloads and working autonomously. Evidence of ongoing CPD and reflective practice.
Desirable
Substantial experience working with adults with learning disabilities and/or autistic adults.
Personal Attributes Essential
Confident, compassionate, and values-driven clinician. Excellent communication skills, adaptable to different cognitive and communication needs. Organised, proactive, and comfortable shaping a new role. Enthusiastic about service development and contributing to clinical team growth.
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 Hesley Group
Address Stripe Road
Tickhill
Doncaster
South Yorkshire
DN11 9HH
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.hesleygroup.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)