University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust

Learning Disabilities and Autism Nurse Specialist

The closing date is 12 February 2026

Job summary

This is an exciting new role. Working within the nursing, quality and safety team and the safeguarding team to develop and implement key initiatives related to supporting staff in wards and departments to maintain the safety of patients with learning disabilities (LD) and / or autistic people. This role will support clinical groups trust wide to implement safe and effective care to patients who have LD and / or autistic people throughout their healthcare journey at the Trust. The role will involve the development of clinical guidelines, standard operating procedures and Clinical protocols based on national/local guidance and best practice. The post holder will be able to provide education to registered and unregistered healthcare staff in a variety of settings. Working within the principles of continuous improvement, involving relevant stakeholders to ensure agreed standards, aims and targets are met. A key part of this role will be to develop and support ward teams to therapeutically manage complex health needs by implementing person-centred communication strategies and management plans for patients with LD and /or autistic people, which includes discharge planning. Additionally, utilising UHCWi methodology, this role will identify opportunities to involve people with LD and autism and their families in reviewing the quality of our services, and then also being part of associated improvement plans.

Main duties of the job

  • Review patient care and create management plans for people with LD and / or autistic people, working alongside ward and department teams
  • Lead process development
  • Provide specialist advice and support to ward and department teams that care for people with LD and / or autistic people
  • Liaise with members of the multidisciplinary team to ensure care is appropriate, considering the Mental Capacity Act and consent, ReSPECT decisions, end of life /advance care planning, medication review and discharge planning
  • Link closely with ward managers, matrons and the patient experience team, to help develop focus areas for quality improvement
  • Represent the Trust on Internal and External groups/meetings where appropriate
  • Review and identify themes from incidents, rounding to inform Trust wide objectives and actions
  • Develop and deliver education for nurses, midwives and AHPs trust wide related to the care and management of people with LD and / or autistic people, and include reasonable adjustments

Secondment will be considered for internal candidates - If you are successful after interview, you must obtain approval from your current line manager to accept the offer.

Successful applicants will be required to provide an immunisation and vaccination report, from either their current UK occupational health provider or their UK GP.

About us

University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, rated as good by the Care Quality Commission, is one of the largest teaching Trusts in the UK.

We are extremely proud of our employees across our hospital sites, with high quality patient care at the heart of everything we do.

Boasting some of the most modern facilities in Western Europe, the Trust is renowned for being at the forefront of research and innovation as part of its blossoming reputation as a worldwide leader in healthcare.

We are proud to be recognised as a Pathway to Excellence designated organisation - please click the link for further details about this prestigious award. Pathway To Excellence - University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire (uhcw.nhs.uk)

By joining our exciting journey, you will form part of a passionate, talented team and will be able to access a wide range of learning and development opportunities. There has never been a better time to join our team.

The Trust is committed to building an organisation that makes full use of the talents, skills, experience, and different perspectives available in our diverse society. We want everyone to feel they are respected, valued, can achieve their potential and receive the most appropriate and relevant care. We will create an environment where the equality and human rights principles of fairness, respect, equality, dignity and autonomy are promoted and are part of the organisation's core values.

Details

Date posted

29 January 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£47,810 to £54,710 a year per annum

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

18 months

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

218-NM-B7-7756981

Job locations

University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire

Clifford Bridge Road

Coventry

CV2 2DX


Job description

Job responsibilities

  • Improve the quality of care received by people with a LD and / or autistic people in the acute hospital setting
  • Act as a resource for staff related to LD and/ or autism
  • Lead and coordinate the delivery and development of pathways for patients with LD and / or autistic people, using national guidance, standards and clinical practice and local protocols
  • Provide direct care to patients with LD and / or autistic people, act as an advocate and ensure their voice is heard
  • Support wards and departments to manage complex patients with LD and autistic people, including outpatients and patients coming to the hospital for elective procedures
  • Support families and carers to ensure good decision making about care and management, providing advice and information
  • Build links with external care providers and support discharge planning for people with LD and / or autistic people
  • Work with Matrons, Ward Managers and Clinical Teams identify opportunities to drive internal improvements
  • Act as a link between community-based learning disabilities services and acute Trust
  • Collate, conduct analysis and validation of data related to the care and management of people with LD and / or autistic people
  • Responsible for producing and ensuring reports are submitted within agreed timescales
  • Facilitate open and easy access to all Trust services
  • Review and develop communication methods for people with LD and / or autistic people
  • Review cases and lead on any multiagency reviews related to the learning from deaths for people with a LD and / or autistic people

For further details of the role please see the attached job description.

Job description

Job responsibilities

  • Improve the quality of care received by people with a LD and / or autistic people in the acute hospital setting
  • Act as a resource for staff related to LD and/ or autism
  • Lead and coordinate the delivery and development of pathways for patients with LD and / or autistic people, using national guidance, standards and clinical practice and local protocols
  • Provide direct care to patients with LD and / or autistic people, act as an advocate and ensure their voice is heard
  • Support wards and departments to manage complex patients with LD and autistic people, including outpatients and patients coming to the hospital for elective procedures
  • Support families and carers to ensure good decision making about care and management, providing advice and information
  • Build links with external care providers and support discharge planning for people with LD and / or autistic people
  • Work with Matrons, Ward Managers and Clinical Teams identify opportunities to drive internal improvements
  • Act as a link between community-based learning disabilities services and acute Trust
  • Collate, conduct analysis and validation of data related to the care and management of people with LD and / or autistic people
  • Responsible for producing and ensuring reports are submitted within agreed timescales
  • Facilitate open and easy access to all Trust services
  • Review and develop communication methods for people with LD and / or autistic people
  • Review cases and lead on any multiagency reviews related to the learning from deaths for people with a LD and / or autistic people

For further details of the role please see the attached job description.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • See supporting documents

Desirable

  • See supporting documents

Experience

Essential

  • See supporting documents

Desirable

  • See supporting documents

Knowledge

Essential

  • See supporting documents

Desirable

  • See supporting documents

Skills

Essential

  • See supporting documents

Desirable

  • See supporting documents

Commitment to Trust Values and Behaviours

Essential

  • See supporting documents
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • See supporting documents

Desirable

  • See supporting documents

Experience

Essential

  • See supporting documents

Desirable

  • See supporting documents

Knowledge

Essential

  • See supporting documents

Desirable

  • See supporting documents

Skills

Essential

  • See supporting documents

Desirable

  • See supporting documents

Commitment to Trust Values and Behaviours

Essential

  • See supporting documents

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Additional information

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

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

University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust

Address

University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire

Clifford Bridge Road

Coventry

CV2 2DX


Employer's website

https://www.jobsatuhcw.co.uk (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust

Address

University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire

Clifford Bridge Road

Coventry

CV2 2DX


Employer's website

https://www.jobsatuhcw.co.uk (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Associate Director of Nursing

Emma Fish

emma.fish@uhcw.nhs.uk

02476966158

Details

Date posted

29 January 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£47,810 to £54,710 a year per annum

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

18 months

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

218-NM-B7-7756981

Job locations

University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire

Clifford Bridge Road

Coventry

CV2 2DX


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

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