Children & Young People Autism Assessment Pathway Navigator
At a glance
- Band
- Band 4
- Contract
- Permanent
- Pattern
- Part-time
- Posted
- 17/09/2026
- Closes
- 30/09/2026
Sponsorship verdict
This contract type is not eligible for Skilled Worker sponsorship.
NHS Trusts cannot issue a Certificate of Sponsorship for part-time, bank, locum, zero-hours, job-share or short fixed-term (under 12 months) contracts under current Home Office rules. This applies even when the wider Trust holds a Skilled Worker licence.
Role summary
This role involves supporting and guiding families through the diagnostic Autism assessment process for children and young people across Cumbria. The Pathway Navigator will be a key point of contact, providing information, advice, and advocating for families within the multi-disciplinary team and with external agencies. They will manage the waiting list, perform welfare checks, and ensure families are updated on their children's progress along the pathway. The aim is to improve the experience for families navigating the autism assessment process.
Essential criteria
- oEvidence of ability to study successfully at NVQ level 4 or equivalent
- oInformation technology skills sufficient to the undertaking of the post
- oExperience of supporting children / family / carers of those with autism.
- oManaging own workload with effective liaison with others.
- oAble to work autonomously and as a member of the multi-disciplinary team
Desirable criteria
- oLived experience with children with autism, and learning disabilities
- oExperience of multi-agency working, preferably including childcare, health and social care
- oExperience of community / voluntary / parent / partner agency links
- oKnowledge of strategies and interventions relevant to children and young people with autism
- oKnowledge of issues affecting families and parenting needs of children
- oKnowledge of available support services and referral routes
- oKnowledge of legislation and developments relevant to the field of children and autism.
- oUp to date knowledge and awareness of safeguarding matters
- Skills and Aptitudes
- oAn ability to be flexible and adapt to the changing needs of the developing service.
- oGood interpersonal skills
- oAbility to build relationships and trust with family carers
- oAbility to deal with difficult situations and/or individuals in a calm, fair but effective manner
- oUnderstanding of different professional roles and perspectives
- oCriminal records Bureau enhanced clearance.
- oAbility to travel frequently to different work bases.
- personal circumstances
- oFull driving licence
- o Demonstrate importance of Equality and Diversity
- oEvidence of ability to study successfully at NVQ level 4 or equivalent
- oInformation technology skills sufficient to the undertaking of the post
- oExperience of supporting children / family / carers of those with autism.
- oManaging own workload with effective liaison with others.
- oAble to work autonomously and as a member of the multi-disciplinary team
- oLived experience with children with autism, and learning disabilities
- oExperience of multi-agency working, preferably including childcare, health and social care
- oExperience of community / voluntary / parent / partner agency links
- oKnowledge of strategies and interventions relevant to children and young people with autism
- oKnowledge of issues affecting families and parenting needs of children
- oKnowledge of available support services and referral routes
- oKnowledge of legislation and developments relevant to the field of children and autism.
- oUp to date knowledge and awareness of safeguarding matters
- Skills and Aptitudes
- oAn ability to be flexible and adapt to the changing needs of the developing service.
- oGood interpersonal skills
- oAbility to build relationships and trust with family carers
- oAbility to deal with difficult situations and/or individuals in a calm, fair but effective manner
- oUnderstanding of different professional roles and perspectives
- oCriminal records Bureau enhanced clearance.
- oAbility to travel frequently to different work bases.
- personal circumstances
- oFull driving licence
- o Demonstrate importance of Equality and Diversity
Useful to know
Agenda for Change 2024/25 pays Band 4 at £26,530 – £29,114 a year, across England.
This advert: £28,392 – £31,157 — outside the standard scale; check for HCAS/London weighting.
Posted 1d ago · Closes in 13d
Plenty of time to prepare a strong application.
Full advert · preview
North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust
Children & Young People Autism Assessment Pathway Navigator
The closing date is 30 September 2026
Job summary
We are recruiting to an Autism Pathway Navigator, to support and guide families across Cumbria during the diagnostic Autism assessment process.
The Autism Pathway assessment is the process for children and young people who are being assessed for an autism spectrum disorder. The pathway begins with an Early Support Offer, and is completed when family carers and the young person have been offered opportunity to discuss the outcome of the assessment. The role of the Pathway Navigator has been developed specifically to support family carers during the pathway and to ensure a better experience in response to feedback from family carers that the Pathway is difficult to understand and navigate.
Our team provide an effective system of support and supervision, which may include 1:1, pair or group supervision, covering management, clinical and safeguarding supervision.
You will work closely with the Pathway Navigator's already working around the county, to provide equity of service for families across Cumbria.
Main duties of the job
As an integral and highly valued member of the Community Paediatric Service, the Pathway Navigator, they will support the Autism Pathway team to manage the waiting list for the a
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