Youth Co-ordinator

**Who we are...**

Diversified is Scotland's autistic youth led charity supporting autistic and neurodivergent 10 to 21 year olds in West Lothian. We welcome young people with or without a formal diagnosis. We are the first charity in Scotland exclusively designed and led by young people who are autistic themselves, giving a unique insight into the challenges young people face and the support we can give them.

All our services combine a range of wellbeing and social activities to enable young people to build friendships with like minded peers, reducing isolation and giving neurodivergent young people a safe space to be their “au-thentic” selves. It is a no pressure environment with no judgement, which allows young people to go at their own pace and participate in a way that works for them.

We provide dedicated facilities at our hub in Livingston, including sensory spaces specifically designed by autistic young people. Diversified supports a maximum of 12 young people at any one time in our hub.

**Why we need you**

We are looking for a part time Youth Coordinator, with lived experience of being autistic, to join our Aspire team for 14 hrs per week (Real living wage of £12 per hour).

Our Aspire service is not a replacement for education, but a place to support autistic young people's overall wellbeing during a difficult time when they are struggling to attend school. This support is key to maintaining young people's mental health and wellbeing so they are in the best position to engage with their learning, however that may look for them.

Our alternative learning environment provides a variety of activities and workshops to build confidence and life skills, as well as providing educational resources. Aspire also provides a stepping stone into alternative routes of learning and skill development for young people unable to engage with school, including on site tutoring and partnerships with local organisations and colleges.

**When and where**

**What you will be doing**
- Supporting young people to explore and understand their ideas and build their confidence, develop healthy relationships and make decisions that are right for them.
- Supporting autistic young people between the ages of 12 - 18 who struggle to attend school and have experienced school trauma.
- Providing engaging well-being and alternative learning opportunities and activities.
- Encouraging independence and life skills support.
- Supporting young people to develop and shape our services from a young person’s perspective.

**Qualities, skills and experience we are looking for**
- Empathy with young people and a non-judgemental approach to understand their individual needs.
- Willingness to listen and adapt to ensure young people have a voice and are leading our services.
- The capability to inspire and motivate young people without pressure.
- Out of the box thinking and problem-solving skills.
- The ability to deal with information in a confidential manner.
- The ability to be patient and sensitive in difficult or emotional situations.
- You must be part of, or willing to join, the PVG scheme for this role (you will not need to pay for this) - **ESSENTIAL**.

**As part of our core ethos and organisational goals, we want to ensure autistic people are given the opportunity to thrive in the workplace. In addition to this, we are an autistic led organisation that uses lived experience to understand and support autistic young people, meaning this role is only open to those who are autistic (with or without a formal diagnosis), as per Schedule 9, Part 1, Paragraph 1 of the Equality Act 2010 relating to Work Exceptions and Occupational Requirements applies.**

**Support and training provided**
- Full induction from our autistic led team.
- Safeguarding, first aid and youth development training will be provided.
- Dedicated supervision and support from our management team.

**Main duties and responsibilities...**
- Assess the individual needs of young people to effectively plan and deliver activities related to areas such as mental health, wellbeing, life skills and learning.
- Set up and run various activities, projects, events and residential trips.
- Develop positive relationships with young people based on their individual needs, respect and trust, providing them a safe space where they can be “au-thentially” themselves.
- Provide opportunities for young people to openly talk about their interests and things that are important to them, through mental health and wellbeing activities.
- Empower and support young people to advocate for themselves in matters that are important to them.
- Monitor, support, motivate and encourage skill development and learning.
- Work alongside Youth Mentors to facilitate peer to peer support.
- Work in partnership with families and other key people in the young people’s life, as well as with professionals from other organisations involved with young people, in order to build a strong support network