Autism Session Lead

**Autism Session Lead (My Life My Community Project)**

**Job brief**

Daisy Chain is a well-established Tees Valley Charity that provides support to autistic and neurodivergent people and their families. We have a fantastic opportunity to join our thriving services team as an Autism Session Lead. If you are passionate about reducing loneliness and isolation, and you are a compassionate communicator with the skills to deliver engaging and fun social groups for diverse individuals, then we would love to hear from you. Sessions will be based at suitable community-venues across the Tees Valley, with regular planned excursions into the community to access local amenities, such as coffee shops, pubs, cinema, escape rooms, etc. Autism experience is not essential, training will be provided.

Please note that due to the nature of this role you will be required to work in the evening. We are open to discussing flexible working options including additional or reduced hours, so please feel free to get in touch to discuss further.

Hours-12 hours per week (with the possibility of additional hours)

Salary-£23,000 per annum (pro rata)

**Key Tasks**
- Plan and deliver weekly social groups for autistic and neurodivergent adults within community venues.
- Ensure that session content is fun, engaging, and focuses on empowering group members to develop friendships and increase independence skills.
- Consult regularly with group members and ensure that their feedback is reflected in planned activities.
- Develop and maintain positive and supportive relationships with service users and staff.
- Provide cover for additional clubs when this is necessary and possible.
- Provide support and guidance to care support staff and volunteers when required.
- Maintain effective and accurate recording and reporting systems in line with Daisy Chains procedures, undertaking other administrative tasks as required.
- Contribute towards the protection of individuals from abuse by adhering to Daisy Chains Child and At-Risk Adults Safeguarding policies at all times.
- Ensure confidentiality is maintained and that Daisy Chains GDPR Policy is adhered to at all times.

**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 for the pursuance of the post
- Work in a way that contributes to the continuous improvement of the Charitys services and embraces the organisations quality initiatives
- 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 particular duties, the outline is considered to provide a reasonable general description of the post.

**Person Specification**

**Experience**
- Experience of working successfully with diverse individuals with varying needs. A, I & E
- Experience planning and delivering effective support sessions, clubs or community groups A, I & E
- Experience working with autistic and neurodivergent young people or adults. A, I & D

**Qualifications**
- Level 3 qualification in childcare/education/health & social care or equivalent (or willing to work towards) A&E
- Level 3 qualification in autism (A&D)

**Knowledge & Skills**
- Ability to build and maintain effective and productive working relationships with staff and diverse service users A, I & E
- Ability to plan and deliver fun, engaging and impactful social group sessions A, I & E
- Ability to plan activities to enhance independence skills A, I & E
- Good admin skills and the ability to use a computer A, I & E
- Organised with a positive, can do attitude A, I & E
- Knowledge & understanding of safeguarding A, I & E
- Knowledge & understanding of autism & neurodiversity A, I & D
- Confidentiality and GDPR A, I & D

**Other**
- Willingness to undertake safeguarding training A& E
- Willingness to undertake First Aid training and become a designated First Aider A&E
- Ability and willingness to work during the evening on a weekly basis A, I & E
- Ability to work flexibly to meet the needs of the service A, I & E
- Ability to work well independently and as part of a team A, I & E
- Understanding of and commitment to the aims and ethos of Daisy Chain A, I & E
- Access to own transport and the ability to travel to community venues A, I & E

**Company Benefits**

Our staff do amazing jobs and as such we want to reward our staff that is why we offer
- Enhanced holiday leav