Graduate Behavioural Therapist (ABA Training Programme)

Graduate ABA Therapist – Structured Training Pathway

Location: Aberdeen, Scotland

Start Date: September 2026

Hours: ~35 hours/week

1. Role Purpose & Context

We are seeking a high-potential ABA Therapist (graduate or early-career) to join a structured, and clinically supervised, home-based programme in Aberdeen, Scotland supporting an 8-year-old non-verbal autistic child.

The child was diagnosed with autism prior to age three and has additional diagnoses of ADHD, Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD), and epilepsy (well controlled with medication). He is a kind, energetic, and affectionate child who benefits greatly from structured support, particularly in functional communication, self-regulation, and adaptive life skills.

In summer 2025, he completed an 8-week intensive ABA program in Orlando, Florida, and a further six weeks in March / April 2026. The ABA therapies were also integrated with occupational therapy (OT) and speech-language therapy (SLT). Progress was significant, including successful toilet training and the adoption of a speech-generating AAC device, now a core part of daily life.

Building on this success, the family is implementing a continuity-of-care model, with clinical oversight provided by the team at PediaBloom (including experienced BCBA;s and phycologists) based in Orlando, FL, in order to support in-home ABA delivery in Scotland.

This role now aims to build on an established ABA programme and is designed to operate to a high professional standard aligned with leading UK and US clinical practice.

This is not a typical home-based role. It is a structured clinical position designed as an accelerated development pathway toward becoming a Lead ABA practitioner.

2. Treatment Model & Clinical Oversight

Existing ABA programs designed and overseen by Orlando-based clinical supervisors

Ongoing remote supervision and case review throughout the assignment, provided remotely on a weekly basis from the team in Florida.

• Weekly BCBA supervision during Year 1 (high-support phase)
• Transition to fortnightly BCBA supervision thereafter (based on demonstrated competency)

Structured weekly internal clinical review (data, goals, planning)

Session recording (where appropriate) to support supervision and feedback

Focus on:

• Functional communication (AAC-based)
• Emotional regulation and coping strategies
• Adaptive and daily living skills
• Skill generalisation across home, school, and community settings

Strong emphasis on assent-based, child-centred, ethical ABA practice

3. Core Responsibilities

The therapist will operate as the primary on-the-ground practitioner responsible for delivering and supporting the programme.

Deliver 1:1 ABA therapy aligned with the child’s existing treatment plan

Implement and adapt behavior support and skill-acquisition programme

Adapting programmes in collaboration with supervising clinicians

Collect, analyse, and review accurate daily treatment data

Participate in:

• Weekly reviews with parents
• Regular clinical check-ins with supervising team

Support generalisation of skills across settings

At the appropriate time, deliver parent training (“train-the-parent” model) to ensure consistency and sustainability

Maintain clear documentation and contribute to periodic progress reports

4. Professional Environment

This is a structured and professional working environment with clear expectations and boundaries.

• Defined working hours and responsibilities
• Therapist operates as a clinical practitioner within the programme
• Strong emphasis on consistency, professionalism, and respect

Dedicated Therapy Environment:

A dedicated therapy room within the home is established and designed specifically for ABA delivery and related therapies.

This provides:

• A structured, distraction-controlled setting for sessions
• Consistency in programme delivery
• Clear separation between therapy and family living space

The therapist will have ownership of this space during working hours, supporting a focused and professional environment.

5. Career Progression Framework

Progression is structured, competency-based, and clearly defined.

Year 0–1: Trainee Therapist

• Intensive learning phase
• Weekly supervision
• Focus on skill acquisition and consistency

Year 1–2: Developing Therapist

• Increasing independence
• Greater contribution to programme delivery
• Beginning to support planning and adjustments

Year 2–3: Senior / Emerging Lead

• Leading sessions independently
• Contributing to programme design
• Supporting parent training

Year 3–5: Lead Therapist

• Ownership of day-to-day programme delivery and outcomes
• Leading parent training and consistency
• Acting as primary interface with BCBA team in USA

6. Working Model & Schedule

Target therapy hours: 25–30 hours of direct and indirect clinical work

Total working hours: ~35 hours/week (including direct therapy, planning, collaboration, previews, supervision, training and general support with child)

Outside School Term

• Monday–Friday: 10:00am – 5:00pm

Indicative Schedule During School Term (to be agreed with successful candidate)

Example 1 (Saturday and Sunday off):

• Mon–Wed: 1:00pm–6:00pm
• Thurs - Fri: 9:00am–5:00pm
• Optional top-up hours evenings/weekends if appropriate

Example 2 (Sunday and Monday off):

• Tue–Thurs: 1:00pm–6:00pm
• Fri & Sat: 9:00am–5:00pm
• Optional top-up hours if appropriate

Scheduling is flexible and collaborative, responsive to the child’s needs and therapist guidance. There is a need to be flexible during school terms, where the child will be in school under reduced hours three days per week, and therapies will work around that. 

7. Qualifications & Experience

Required

• Degree in Psychology, Social Sciences, Social Care, Education, or related field OR relevant experience
• Strong interest in autism and behavioural science
• Professional, reliable, and coachable
• Ability to work within a structured, high-standard environment

Preferred

• Experience with school-aged children and/or SEN
• Exposure to ABA or behavioural approaches
• Confidence working within hybrid / remote supervision models

8. Professional Standards & Safeguarding

• Commitment to ethical, assent-based ABA
• Respectful, child-centred practice
• Ability to maintain professional boundaries

9. Parental Collaboration

• Parents are highly engaged, supportive, and motivated
• Expect:
• Bi-weekly or agreed progress reporting
• Occasional school collaboration to support consistency

10. Compensation & Benefits

• Starting salary: £28,000–£35,000 (with progression based on skills development)
• Funded supervision and training (significant additional value)
• Structured international training exposure (USA)
• Candidate will need to complete a mandatory 40 hour RBT (Registered Behaviour Technician) training course, through Relias Academy only (this will be funded by the employer)

·       Clear professional working environment

11. Values & Culture

The family values:

• Evidence-based intervention
• Open communication and teamwork
• Therapist wellbeing and autonomy

How to Apply

Please submit:

• CV / Resume
• Brief cover note outlining interest in opportunity
• References will be required