Adult Autism Support Lead

**Job brief**

Are you passionate about making a meaningful difference to the lives of autistic and neurodi-vergent individuals? Do you have the knowledge, skills, and dedication to provide high-quality, accessible support to autistic adults? If so, we want to hear from you

Daisy Chain is looking for enthusiastic and experienced individuals to join our team as Adult Autism Support Leads. In this role, you will deliver tailored support to autistic young peo-ple and adults (16+) through psychoeducation, one-to-one, and small group sessions.

We offer a comprehensive training package, ongoing supervision, and the opportunity to work in a dynamic, supportive environment where no two days are the same. Join us and be part of a service that empowers autistic individuals to thrive.

- Hours
- 30 hours per week (2 x posts available)
- £26,000 per annum (pro rata)

**Key Tasks**

Under the guidance of the Service Manager, you will provide high-quality and accessible support to autistic young people and adults across Durham. This service, commissioned by Durham County Council, will accept referrals from individuals with a formal autism diagnosis as well as those on the waiting list for assessment.
- Deliver a bespoke package of psychoeducation, 1:1 and group support to autistic young people and adults.
- Maintain and develop an up-to-date knowledge of local service provision across the re-gion for appropriate signposting and referrals.
- Engage with adults that are hard to reach in order to ensure that they are able to ac-cess the support that they need.
- Support the Service Manager to develop and maintain positive relationships with rele-vant stakeholders across the region and work in partnership with these organisations to effectively deliver the programme.
- Build and maintain positive, trust-based relationships with autistic young people/adults, in order to identify the key issues which are relevant to them.
- Contribute towards the protection of individuals from abuse by adhering to Daisy Chains Child and At Risk Adults Safeguarding policies at all times.
- Ensure the service is flexible and adapts to meet the needs of the neurodivergent community.
- Ensure the voice of neurodivergent young people and adults are heard and play an ac-tive role in reviewing and evaluating the service.
- Ensure confidentiality is maintained and that Daisy Chains GDPR Policy is adhered to at all times.
- Ensure effective and accurate recording and reporting systems in line with Daisy Chains procedures.
- Undertake administrative tasks necessary for the efficient and effective delivery of the key responsibilities in this role.

**Additional responsibilities**
- Comply with the Charities Health and Safety policy in all employment practices.
- Maintain the integrity of the Daisy Chain brand in all internal and external communications.
- Work in ways, which promote equality of opportunity, participation and responsibility.
- Maintain a proactive approach to your role and responsibilities along with a commitment to contribute and maintain the positive working ethos within the Charity.
- Ensure attendance at staff meetings.
- Undertake any training and development deemed necessary within the post.
- Any other duties from time to time, commensurate with the level of the post

This job outline is intended to indicate the broad range of responsibilities and requirements of the post. It is neither exhaustive nor exclusive but, while some variation can be expected in duties, the outline is considered to provide a reasonable general description of the post.

This post is deemed to require an Enhanced DBS Check with the Disclosure and Barring Service due to the fact that there is access to children and vulnerable adults.

**Person Specification**

**Experience**
- Experience working with and providing support to autistic and neurodivergent individu-als and their families E
- Experience of safeguarding with a good understanding of safeguarding protocols and policies E

**Qualifications**
- Level 3 qualification in a relevant field (e.g. autism, education, health & social care) E

**Knowledge & Skills**
- Ability to communicate effectively with individuals from a variety of backgrounds and with varying needs E
- An ability to remain calm, objective and proactive when faced with sensitive infor-mation, including safeguarding E
- A thorough understanding of the challenges faced by autistic and neurodivergent indi-viduals E
- Awareness of local service provision in the Tees Valley for effective signposting and re-ferrals - D
- Excellent written and verbal communications skills E
- IT literate and able to use all appropriate software packages and record information accurately E

**Other**
- Empathy and cultural sensitivity when working with autistic individuals - E
- A commitment to delivering high-quality, person-centered services - E
- Resilience and flexibility to adapt to changing demands and challenges - E
- Ability to work flexibly and travel