Specialist Neurodivergence Improvement Manager

Vacancy title

Specialist Neurodivergence Improvement Manager

Closing date

01/05/2026, 16:00

Advertising basis

Secondment

Actual starting salary

This opportunity will be a secondment to Welsh Government, and the successful candidate will remain on their employer’s terms and conditions of service and current basic salary.

Salary range or pay band

SEO £47,675 to £56,445

Allowances

No

Work pattern

Full time (applications are welcome from people who work part time, as part of a job share or who work full time)

Duration

Two years

Group

Health, Social Care and Early Years

Directorate

Futures and Integration

Branch

Neurodivergence Policy

Location (s)

Pan Wales

Purpose of post

The post holder will join an integrated team working across health and social care established in 2021 to support neurodivergence policy with clinical knowledge and expertise and will work closely with the Head of Branch and collaboratively with policy leads, having direct management responsibility for members of the team.

They will have a lead role in continuing the delivery of the Neurodivergence Improvement Programme (NDIP). This will manage transforming services for neurodivergent children, young people and adults, including autism, ADHD and Tourettes Syndrome, and will provide additional support for their parents and carers.

The Programme responds to the findings of a demand and capacity review of all age ND conditions which was completed in March 2022. The review confirmed that demand was continuing to increase and waiting lists for assessment and support can be very long and growing, despite increased investment in autism services. There are also significant gaps in provision for many other ND conditions.

The Programme has specific work streams taking action to improve services, address gaps in provision and to promote a whole systems and person centred approach to future service design and delivery, with a focus on cross cutting priorities such as workforce, data improvement and digital innovation.

Programme delivery will be undertaken in partnership with the National Neurodivergence Team, hosted by the Welsh Local Government Association, which is expanding its remit to provide expertise across ND conditions and with NHS Performance and Improvement. There will be close working with Regional Partnership Boards, local authorities and health boards including existing services and with education Additional Learning Needs reform.

The Programme is overseen by a Neurodivergence Ministerial Advisory Group. The Group will oversee the work and report to the Minister for Mental Health and Well-being as neurodivergence sits with the Minister’s portfolio. Further to this, a Programme Board has been established to oversee and receive updates on the delivery of the Neurodivergence Improvement Programme.

Key tasks

• The post holder will have clinical experience and extensive knowledge of neurodivergence to support the cross-government delivery of the Neurodivergence Improvement Programme over the current Senedd term up to March 2028.

Manage relationships with a wide range of external stakeholders including the NHS, 3rd Sector, Social Services, Regional Partnership Boards, education and employment.

Work closely with the Lead for Neurodivergence in NHS P&I to facilitate the transformation of Neurodivergence services and systems in Wales.

Work closely with NHS Performance and Improvement with regard to waiting times for children’s neurodevelopmental assessments.

Establish systems to support people with lived experience of neurodivergence and their families and carers, including children and young people to be involved in programme delivery and to have regular opportunities to feed in their views on the progress being achieved.

Develop and maintain programme documentation to monitor progress including a monitoring framework, risk register and finance monitoring.

Establish and manage the Programme Board to monitor and report on progress in the three work streams, delivering verbal and written updates as required.

Develop strong collaborative relationships with work stream leads who are responsible for the delivery of the actions, establishing a regular exchange of information on progress in delivering the priorities identified.

Oversee and manage the Secretariat for the Neurodivergence Ministerial Advisory Group, including preparing update papers and regular communication with group members.

Provide and deliver regular progress reports to the Ministerial Advisory Group, Programme Board and to the Minister for Mental Health and Well-being.

Manage and monitor programme budget.

Draft briefings, statements, correspondence and other ministerial business in relation to the programme.

Development opportunities

Understand the wider policy and legislative context and processes within Welsh Government

Other vacancy related information

Job Specific Criteria

Essential

• Substantial clinical expertise and hands‑on experience within neurodevelopmental services, demonstrating an in‑depth understanding of diagnostic pathways, multidisciplinary practice, and the needs of neurodivergent children, young people, and adults and their families.
• Proven experience in delivering local government and health board policy commitments, including the ability to monitor, analyse and report progress, provide evidence‑based advice, and manage deadlines across a complex programme of work.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with a wide range of partners and professionals, including clinical teams, policy officials, third‑sector organisations and senior stakeholders to drive forward programme objectives.
• Strong ability to manage multiple workstreams simultaneously, balancing clinical, operational and policy considerations, and responding flexibly to competing demands.
• Excellent written communication skills, with experience producing high‑quality papers, briefings, and formal government communications relating to clinical services and policy.
  
  

Desirable

• Knowledge and experience of working with Regional Partnership Boards and working across health boards, local authorities, education and the voluntary sector.
• An awareness of neurodevelopmental conditions, working with neurodiverse people and in the Welsh Government neurodivergence policy context.
• Ability to communicate in Welsh
• In the event of a large number of applications, an initial sift will be conducted against the lead assessment criterion: Behaviour: Making Effective Decisions. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to assessment/interview.
• This is a temporary seconded post that is expected to end on 31/03/2028.
• The following qualities are desirable and will only be considered if two or more candidates receive the same score at the application or interview stage:

• Knowledge and experience of working with Regional Partnership Boards health boards, local authorities, education and the voluntary sector.
• An awareness of neurodevelopmental conditions, working with neurodiverse people and in the Welsh Government neurodivergence policy context.
• Ability to communicate in Welsh.

A reserve list may be held for this opportunity. Any candidate who is successful in being offered a reserve status, will remain on the reserve list for 12 months.

This opportunity will be a secondment to Welsh Government, and the successful candidate will remain on their employer’s terms and conditions of service and current basic salary.

You must obtain prior agreement from your employer to be released on secondment before applying. Please ensure you have line management approval.

During the secondment, you will remain on the terms, conditions, and payroll of your home organisation.

Inward secondees are not eligible for Welsh Government pay awards or rewards.

There will be occasions when attendance at one of Welsh Government’s office is required and travel to other locations across Wales .

Vetting level

Basic

Number of posts

1

Contact point for further information regarding the post

neurodiversity@gov.wales

Welsh language requirements

3 - Welsh language skills are not essential for this post, they are however desirable and will be considered if two or more candidates receive the same score at the application or interview stage.

Understanding by reading

1 - Can read some basic words and phrases with understanding

Speaking and being understood

1 - Can hold a basic conversation in Welsh

Understanding by listening

1 - Can understand parts of a basic conversation

Writing and being understood

1 - Can write basic messages on everyday topics

Welsh Government, like all other Government Departments use Success Profiles when we recruit. For each role we consider what you will need to demonstrate to be successful. This gives us the best possible chance of finding the right person for the job. It raises performance and improves diversity and inclusivity.

Behaviour 1

The selection process and stages are:

Working Together

Establish professional relationships with a range of stakeholders. Collaborate with these to share information, resources and support.

Behaviour 2

Making Effective Decisions

Analyse and use a range of relevant, credible information from internal and external sources to support decisions.

Behaviour 3

Communicating and Influencing

Communicate in a straightforward, honest and engaging manner, choosing appropriate styles to maximise understanding and impact

Behaviour 4

Managing a Quality Service

Involve a diverse range of colleagues, stakeholders and delivery partners in developing suggestions for improvements.

Evidence to provide

Experience questions

Experience 1

Awareness of policy development.

Experience 2

Ability to use project management methodologies.

Strength 1

Team Player

You will be asked about your nationality and if you are legally allowed to work in the United Kingdom. This is to find out if you are eligible to apply for this vacancy. This is a requirement for working within the Civil Service. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rules

If you do not meet the eligibility criteria your application will not progress. If it becomes clear at a later stage in the process that you are not eligible to apply, your application may be withdrawn, or the offer retracted.

Nationality Requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)

nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)

individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020

Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Secondments

Secondments are fixed term options for no more than two years, open to individuals not employed as a Civil Servant (this includes those employed by Non-Departmental Government Bodies). Sometimes posts are advertised as a secondment opportunity. If this is the case it will state it above. Secondees have different terms and conditions, please refer to the guidance pack before applying. Secondees are not entitled to the benefits listed below including those relating to Social Partnership.

All Welsh Government staff are members of the Civil Service, and as a result are eligible for:

• Civil Service Pension Scheme
• 31 days annual leave (pro-rated for part time)
• training and development opportunities
• Cycle2Work Scheme
• Smart Working flexible working arrangement
• Green Car Scheme (subject to availability)
  
  

If you are an active Civil Service Pension member you can continue your membership throughout your employment with us.

If you are an active Civil Service Pension member you can continue your membership throughout your employment with us.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition. Please see the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles on the Commission's website.

If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with these principles and wish to make a complaint please email complaints@gov.wales . Please ensure that you refer to the vacancy reference number.

If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Welsh Government, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: info@csc.gov.uk.

How To Apply

All applications for this vacancy must be made using our online application system.

Unless stated otherwise in the 'Other vacancy-related information for advert', the Welsh Government cannot offer Visa sponsorship. Welsh Government holds a Visa sponsorship licence, but this can only be used for certain roles and this campaign does not qualify.

Applications are welcomed from people with a diverse range of lived and professional experiences. We are actively committed to becoming an increasingly diverse organisation which represents the diverse communities we serve. There are a number of Diversity networks that staff can participate in, which include the Disability Awareness and Support Staff Network; Minority Ethnic Staff Network; Mind Matters (Mental health and well-being); PRISM (LGBTI+), Women Together and the Neurodivergence Network.

If you have an impairment which prevents you from applying online, please email our recruitment team. You can:

• request an application pack in an alternative format
• request a recruitment adjustment to help you submit your application
  
  

Use the 'Apply' button to submit your application. You will be asked to register if you don't have an account or sign in if you do. Registration takes a few minutes and you will need an email address.

You should check your Application Centre regularly for updates to your application. Please also check your spam/junk folder in case any communication regarding your application and/or assessment details finds its way there.

Once you've registered for an account and logged in, you'll be taken to the online application form. You must complete this and submit it before the deadline on the closing date. We will not consider an incomplete application form.

If you would like to apply for this vacancy in Welsh, please use the Change Language link on this page. We welcome applications in Welsh, and applications submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than applications submitted in English.

Please see the candidate guidance for more information on the recruitment process.

For information on Civil Service Success Profiles please click here .

For TS to G6 recruitment schemes:

When presenting your evidence, you may find it useful to consider the expectations of the grade as set out in the Grade Description as well as the main responsibilities that are essential for the role.

Use the 'Apply' button to submit your application. You will be asked to register if you don't have an account or sign in if you do. Registration takes a few minutes and you will need an email address.

You should check your Application Centre regularly for updates to your application. Please also check your spam/junk folder in case any communication regarding your application and/or assessment details finds its way there.

Once you've registered for an account and logged in, you'll be taken to the online application form. You must complete this and submit it before the deadline on the closing date. We will not consider an incomplete application form.

If you would like to apply for this vacancy in Welsh, please use the Change Language link on this page. We welcome applications in Welsh, and applications submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than applications submitted in English.

Please see the candidate guidance for more information on the recruitment process.

For information on Civil Service Success Profiles please click here .

For TS to G6 recruitment schemes: When presenting your evidence, you may find it useful to consider the expectations of the grade as set out in the Grade Description as well as the main responsibilities that are essential for the role.