Autism Assessor for Children and Young People (Bank/Self-Employed)

About Paloma

We aim to provide families with high-quality NHS autism assessments within 4 weeks of GP referral. 

Our children and young people’s autism assessments went live in November 2024, and we are launching children’s ADHD assessments and treatment in the summer of 2025.

We were founded as we are deeply annoyed that families are waiting 2-10 years for NHS children’s autism and ADHD assessments, and this crisis has recently been highlighted by the Children’s Commissioner for England: https://www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/blog/childrens-commissioner-warns-of-invisible-crisis-as-delays-and-inequalities-laid-bare-among-children-with-neurodevelopmental-conditions/

How is Paloma different?

• We are clinically led and Care Quality Commission (CQC) registered, with a friendly and approachable team
• We have built our own software platform to:
• Give our patients a more consumer-like experience of healthcare
• Free our assessors from admin to focus on patient care
• Our strong culture, including transparency, a sense of community, and supporting staff career development
• The experience of our founders (Dr Mark Jenkins & Darshak Shah), who have previously built tech-enabled NHS obesity and ophthalmology services. Combined, their previous companies have treated over 1 million NHS patients in the last 15 years!
• Being backed by leading healthcare investors (Triple Point Ventures and Heal Capital), allowing us to move fast

The Opportunity

Paloma Health has developed a new gold-standard autism assessment pathway and our own Patient Record technology system, which allows us to offer:

• An exceptional service and timely assessments, as well as clear strengths and needs-based outcomes, regardless of whether an autism diagnosis is made. 
• High assessor role satisfaction by improving the experience of delivering assessments. For example, we are building a tool to streamline diagnostic report writing, which we know is a pressure of the role.

You will work as a member of a multidisciplinary assessment team, delivering:

• Remote parental interviews (via video calls)
• Peer MDT diagnostic decision-making, with the support of the senior clinical MDT where required
• Tech-enabled outcome report writing 
• Outcome calls with parents and families (via video call)

From a cultural perspective, you are:

• Comfortable working in a dynamic environment and embracing change
• Excited about using new technologies in your role
• Always looking for ways to improve our patient experience

We commit to supporting your development and well-being, including:

• Regular clinical supervision.
• Clear weekly timetables that support a role mix across appointments and administration.

Responsibilities:

• Conduct high-quality autism assessments.
• Act in accordance with our Safeguarding Policy, including conducting a risk assessment where necessary.
• Keep up to date with mandatory training and your professional qualification requirements, including CPD.

Qualifications, experience and location:

Required:

• Registration as any one of the following:
  • Occupational therapist (HCPC)
  • Speech and language therapist (HCPC)
  • Nurse, including mental health or learning disability nurse (NMC)
  • Psychologist, including counselling psychologist, educational psychologist and clinical psychologist (HCPC)
  • Medical doctor (GMC)
  • Social Worker (Social Work England)
  • Assistant psychologist (BPS registered)
• At least 4 years experience in children and young people's autism diagnostic assessments with specific knowledge including:
  • Having a sound understanding of co-occurring conditions and differentials.
  • Demonstrate an ability to concisely present findings, including diagnostic formulation, into a client-centred clinical report that includes a strengths and needs profile.
• Completion of a recognised ADOS-2 course
• Good time management skills, including caseload management
• High-quality parent and patient communication skills
• Enhanced DBS with barred list check (as you will be working with children)

Desirable:

• Formal training in autism developmental histories e.g. ADI-R 
• Experience in conducting risk assessments within an autism assessment service

Time commitment: We ask for a minimum of 1 day per week for bank/self-employed clinicians, and ideally 2-3 days per week.

Location: This is a fully remote role.

Reporting to: Autism Service Team Manager

Why join Paloma Health?

At Paloma Health, you will be part of a mission-driven organisation that’s transforming access to Autism Assessments in England. We offer:

• A strong and positive culture that prioritises staff well-being, transparency, and career opportunities.
• Competitive self-employed assessor rates

Equality & Diversity

Paloma Health is an equal-opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace and throughout the application process. We do not discriminate based on any protected characteristic.

Application process

We understand that applying for a new role takes a lot of work, and we value your time. We are looking forward to reading your application.

Join us and be part of our journey to revolutionise access to Autism Assessments in England!