Specialist Autism Coordinator: Early Help

**POST: Specialist Autism Coordinator: Early Help (maternity cover)**
**LOCATION: Various in and around London**
**SALARY: 22K-25K PER ANNUM, depending on experience.**
**HOURS: Full time: 37.5hours, including one weekend day and evenings**
**Reports to: Service Manager**

**Mission of Resources for Autism**

The mission of Resources for Autism as an organisation is to provide practical support to individuals on the spectrum, wherever they are on the spectrum, and to those who love them. We do that by providing a safe, fun and meaningful service that enables an individual to be themselves and to thrive. We accept people for who they are and we introduce children and adults to new, creative and stimulating experiences which encourage interaction, communication and independence. Our work is holistic so we work closely with families to support, educate and increase their understanding of autism and resilience.

**About the Specialist Autism Coordinator role**

The Early Help Project is an exciting and developing service aimed to reduce behaviour challenges and family breakdown.

The role of the Early Help Specialist Autism Coordinator is to support families to understand their child’s behaviours and introduce sustainable ways of support while empowering individuals and families, and building their resilience.

Each family will receive up to 12 weeks of support with intensity and frequency levels during this period based on need.

As an experienced autism specialist, you will work closely with our behaviour managers to develop and implement individualised support

A strong advocate of the organisation’s values and positive behaviour management (PBM) you will be able to demonstrate those qualities and skills in your interactions with clients, the staff and other professionals.

You will receive further training and development around behaviour management, mental health, trauma and in the areas that matter to you professionally.

**Benefits of the role**

Staff benefits are widely offered and available to attract, support, develop and retain our valued staff, enabling them to reach and use their full potential. Benefits include, but are not limited to a family friendly working environment, 25 days of annual leave, pension scheme, office closure over the Christmas period, access to a wellbeing employee programme, flexible working patterns and continual professional development aligned with your personal goals.

**Duties**:
**1. **Offer high quality autism support based on the individual and unique needs of the family.

**2. **Willingness to support individuals and their carers wherever they are on the spectrum.

**3. **Work in accordance to the Positive Behaviour Support Values and implement appropriate de-escalation strategies.

**4. **Demonstrate the Resources for Autism values of acceptance and inclusion in all the work undertaken.

**5. **Ensure planning, recording and administration is completed in good time and to the highest standard.

**6. **Be able to develop strong relationships with carers and individuals, empathising with their needs and building their resilience.

**7. **Attend meetings and liaise with professionals and/or provide reports for those meetings as necessary for the welfare and benefit of the service users.

**8. **Form and maintain appropriate professional boundaries with service users, parents/carers, managers, staff and a range of professionals.

**9. **Attend training to continue to develop professionally.

**10. **Carry out risk assessments.

**11. **Support and mentor new team members and demonstrate positive role modelling.

**This is not meant to be an exhaustive list and the job holder may be required to undertake other duties as determined by management as necessary to the needs of a service user or the Organisation.**

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Specialist Autism Coordinator

**Essential criteria**
General Background
1. Appropriate professional qualification/training, including Team Teach

2. Minimum two years’ experience of working with autistic children, young people and adults and their carers and have extensive knowledge of the issues involved.

3. Demonstrable experience of working with a range of ages and at all points of the spectrum.

4. Good written and verbal communication skills.

5. Knowledge of issues surrounding child development, play and communication, and Mental Health

6. Knowledge of issues surrounding Safeguarding, Health and Safety and Risk Assessments and the practical implementation of these.

7. Have an enhanced DBS check and subscribe to the update service.

Abilities and skills
8. Excellent understanding of child development, communication and sensory issues and ways to support the development of those.

9. Ability to plan and implement creative programmes to meet needs.

10. Demonstrable understanding of confidentiality.

11. Ability to maintain client monitoring and information systems.

12. Ability to support those who may experience challenging beh