Social Enterprise Coordinator

About Autism Plus
Autism Plus are a leading Yorkshire Charity supporting adults and young people with autism, learning disabilities, mental health conditions and complex needs.

In 1986 the Charity was created by a group of parents looking for the very best support for their children who were about to leave a specialist school. Once they reached the age of 17, they found there was little or no support. The belief set by our founding parents, to empower more people to live independent, fulfilling lives remains our focus today.

We employ over 350 people across the north of England in care support services, employment support and social enterprise businesses.

About the Role:
Hours: Monday - Friday 8am till 4pm, occasional evening and weekend work may be required to cover organised events.
Location: Knaresborough

Essential: Full Driving Licence and access to a vehicle

This role is to oversee and coordinate the Knaresborough Social Enterprise Service where individuals with Autism and other disabilities are supported to learn new skills and develop their work experience opportunities whilst also promoting physical, emotional and social wellbeing. The Social Enterprise Coordinator will take responsibility for the day to day running of the Knaresborough Enterprise by supporting the Session Leaders and Session Support Workers to achieve all session aims and objectives to develop the skills of individuals accessing the service.

Key Responsibilities

• To oversee the service when the Service Manager is not on site. To help coordinate the day-to-day provision of work experience placements and activities, planning timetables and running the daily sessions, working closely with the Service Manager to deliver safe and meaningful work experience and sessions to trainees that enable them to reach their targets.
• To ensure staff cover due to staff absences if the Service Manager is not available (at times with little notice) for work experience and sessions. Run sessions and be able to work from the session plan/timetable or have a contingency session ready that can be delivered. To support the personal care needs of trainees as necessary.
• To ensure the smooth running of the building, ensuring it is clean, tidy and safe. Carry out the designated Health and Safety checks as requested by the Service Manager and report any repairs.
• Make sure all resources are available in advance for planned activities. To monitor session content and ensure staff are recording trainees’ target progression. To advise Support Assistants in delivery of the sessions where required and evaluate each session to identify the achievements against targets and any changes required to increase the impact and outcomes for trainees. Helping trainees set their targets annually, recording the information and ensuring this is shared with the relevant staff.
• Supporting trainees on work experience in the community, our café/shop and our chocolate factory to learn work-based skills in catering, customer service, administration, marketing and retail. To assist in ensuring that the environment is safe and responsive to individual needs and support the trainees, enabling them to integrate with each other and members of the staff team, To ensure that trainees are enabled to become as independent as possible and to grow in confidence, competence and personal effectiveness. To achieve this through the provision of practical assistance, support, teaching, advice, role modelling, encouragement and positive feedback.
• Supporting staff to identify risks and ensure staff supporting trainees complete a written risk assessment. Revising and adapting risk assessments as required and sharing these for approval with the Service Manager.
• To be the first point of contact on a daily to basis to ensure the smooth running of the service. Liaising with parents/carers, transport etc. and supporting staff with their queries, offering guidance and advice as and when needed, escalating questions or concerns to the Service Manager.
• To support in the induction of new staff, volunteers or work experience students. To support work experience students when they are with us and along with the Service Manager is their first point of contact for support. To contribute to the training of new and existing staff and volunteers, through comprehensive induction programs or focused training sessions.
• To encourage the involvement of volunteers in sessions, providing support and guidance enabling them to make the maximum contribution to the sessions safely and appropriately.
• Conduct staff meetings as and when required by the Service Manager, liaising with other members of the team as necessary.
• To hold a full cleaning driving license and be prepared to drive workplace vehicles.
• To assist, when needed, the Service Manager to showcase the service we offer to potential new clients.
• To adhere to organizational financial policies and procedures including the safe handling of cash.
• To ensure that all Health and Safety policies and procedures are followed to maintain a safe environment for trainees and staff, reporting and following up any faults or health and safety concerns. To follow security procedures for the building.
• To adhere to organisational Safeguarding procedures reporting any concerns in line with the procedures.
  
• To ensure that all policies and procedures are followed, contributing to the development and review of policies and procedures as necessary.
  
• To attend mandatory training relevant to your role and responsibilities and attend additional training relevant to your role at the request of the Service Manager.
• To contribute to the promotion of the organisation and high standards of interaction with customers, supporting the growth of income and development of the organisation.
• To work occasional weekends/evenings at annual events/busy periods with appropriate prior notice and planning.
• To carry out the role in accordance with the law, the policies on equality of opportunity and collective responsibility, and the organisations values.

This is an outline of the post-holder’s duties and responsibilities, but it is not an exhaustive list and may change from time to time to meet the changing needs of the Charity.

We are looking for an individual with:

• Full Driving Licence and access to a vehicle

• Knowledge and experience of Social Enterprise

• Ability to devise task based work programmes

• Empathy, compassion and patience.

• Dedication to helping support individuals with additional need to flourish in their everyday lives.

• Experience in assisting individuals with Autism and other learning disabilities.

• Ability to communicate clearly and sensibility with vulnerable people and their families whilst always adopting a person-centred approach.