Autism Support Coordinator

**About Resources for Autism**

Resources for Autism’s vision is a world where people with autism can live fulfilling lives, with equal chances to those of their non autistic peers. For over 27 years, we have provided practical support for autistic people and for those who love and care for them. From 1:1 support to group activities, therapy sessions, from parent and sibling groups to holiday play schemes, we aim to give those whom we support a better and happier life.

As an organisation, we pride ourselves on our openness, commitment to our community, and supporting each other. Many of us enjoy the benefits of flexible working, and our staff turnover is remarkably low - which some attribute to being part of a productive, supportive, non-political and warm working culture.

Our practice as an organisation is founded on the fundamental ethos of acceptance for an individual exactly as they are and from that place we work with their environment (be it parents, teachers, professional networks) to ensure the individual is appropriately understood and supported to be the best version of themselves they could ever be. We do not see an individual’s behaviour as challenging per se, but we see their behaviour as challenging services. Our aim goes beyond developing resilient parents or resilient children but to creating resilient services that are aware and inclusive of neurodivergence.

**Our aims of the Service**

The aim for the community and play service is to mirror the wider organisational mission of providing safe, fun and meaningful support that enable personal development. We introduce those we support to new, creative and stimulating experiences and all we do should encourage social interaction, communication and personal development and build self-confidence. We provide this support by ensuring our staff are trained, meet the highest safeguarding expectations, and are encouraged to develop and upskill throughout their career with Resources for Autism.

The role of the _Autism Support Coordinator_ is key within the services team, responsible for delivering, developing and shaping services, coordinating provisions within our play and community service and providing supervision and support to our excellent team of support workers, volunteers and group leaders.

The main duties of the role will include:
Overseeing the support packages delivered in the community by our support workers and volunteers which will include matching the support workers and volunteers to placements with autistic individuals. You will be responsible for developing our mentoring offer, ensuring those who we support are engaged in meaningful activities which are relevant to their needs, interests and support their development and wellbeing.

As part of the role, you will be writing support plans, introducing support workers and volunteers to autistic individuals, and supporting them through their placement to ensure a successful relationship is formed. You will line manage a team of support workers and/or volunteers to deliver effective support. This may also involve working at some evenings and weekends as these are key times we offer our services. The role will also include advocating for the individual and joining meetings with professionals.

You can expect to have regular supervision with you line manager, a peer support group, and an open and easily accessible wider community of colleagues with whom you can discuss and share skills and ideas across both regions.

**Benefits of the role**

90% of our staff say that Resources for Autism is “a great place to work”.

Not only will the work you do ensure making vital differences and inspiring others, but our other benefits also include:

- flexible working patterns with the option to work in a hybrid way.
- 25 days of leave (pro rata for part time roles) each year plus 8 bank holidays and the additional office closure between Christmas and New Year
- access to ongoing training and progress in the areas that interest you.
- access to our wellbeing initiatives and an Employee Assistance Programme
- enrolment on to our pension scheme
- a supportive, warm and fun working environment made up of values driven people who are passionate about changing the world for autistic people


**The role**:
**The role will combine supporting front line staff and individuals in the community and group settings for about 30%-50% of the week and 50%-70% of your time will be dedicated to practical tasks including overseeing support packages and supporting the quality and development of our teams.**

More specifically:

- Match support workers and volunteers to placements with autistic individuals.
- Oversee community support packages and support work complex cases as needed.
- Write support plans and ensure their successful delivery by our front-line staff and our volunteers.
- Develop, carry out and/or oversee targeted 1:1 support packages e.g., assessing client needs, arranging the home visits, intr