Autism West Midlands will work in partnership with NHS Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health Trust to deliver a dynamic service for autistic adults who are at risk of admission to inpatient services or who require additional support to help assist quicker discharge from inpatient service.
The Keyworker Service provides coordination and direct support to autistic adults, who also have mental health needs. This project uses intensive, direct interventions with the aim of supporting neurodiverse people to remain living at home, in the community, preventing avoidable admissions to inpatient mental health services.
The post holder will need flexibility to work as part of a small team including the need to offer support out of office hours.
A full driving licence and access to a car is essential for this role.
This is a Monday to Friday role with some flexibility for work out of office hours.
Key aspects of the Autism Specialist Key Worker role:
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To be a key point of contact for autistic adults allocated to you, identifying gaps in their support and coordinating efforts to bridge those gaps.
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To work closely with inpatient settings, local mental health teams (including crisis teams), social care and other organisations involved to ensure that the system is working in a coordinated and joined up way for the person, helping to reduce any blockages/barriers to accessing support.
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Develop positive working relationships with individuals in your caseload and gain insight into each person’s specific autistic needs and develop support plans accordingly. This will involve seeking consent for people to share their “health passport” to help influence how they receive support from other professionals.
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When necessary, advocate on behalf of a person based upon predetermined preferences, choices and wishes.
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Coordination of support by promotion of multidisciplinary approaches. This will involve developing positive working relations to enable a person to benefit from input from a variety of sources.
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Pro-actively initiate and chair MDT meetings either in the community or in acute hospital settings.
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Arrange and participate in assessments (including risk assessments) considering a range of information provided by other professionals and the person being supported.
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Develop and utilise other available services that can contribute to the overall support of a person.
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When appropriate work alongside parent/carers and (dependent on consent given by person being supported) involve them as part of support planning.
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Report vulnerable adult safeguarding/child protection issues that may arise directly to the appropriate agency in coordination with the Assistant Manager and Designated Safeguarding Lead and together agree appropriate action, following Autism West Midlands’s procedures.
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Collate and compile performance information based upon a person’s individual support plan and the overall objectives of the Key Worker Service
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Provide cases studies to evidence outcomes, promote good practice and demonstrate system/process/practice issues
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Provide feedback gathered by people using the service to help develop the service to best meet needs
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Comply with General Data Protection and Regulation (GDPR) when partnership working ensuring that consent is obtained.
What we are looking for from you as a Autism Specialist Key Worker:
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Support colleagues across the system to become autism aware and provide autism friendly services.
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Rethink systems and approaches based on what is in the best interests of people and can provide the best possible outcomes.
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Champion the use of reasonable adjustments to support better engagement and overcome barriers for engagement with support from Key Workers and mental health support.
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Positively raise awareness of the needs of autistic adults when opportunities arise and specifically by attending information events and strategic working groups meetings.
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A relevant qualification related to Autism or Mental Health or associated field or discipline
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Knowledge of how autism and mental health challenges may interplay.
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Detailed understanding of the autism spectrum
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A good understanding of a variety of mental health issues and how difficulties can affect people.
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Working knowledge of safeguarding practice and confidentiality.
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Specific experience of working with autistic adults with complex additional needs including mental health.
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Experience of carrying out needs. assessments, developing recovery-focused support plans and risk assessments.
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Experience of working collaboratively using multi-disciplinary approaches.
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Experience of working as part of a team.
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The ability to manage a caseload and to prioritise workloads based on needs.
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IT literate, with practical experience of using Microsoft Teams, Word, Excel and the internet.
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Current driving license, access to a vehicle and a willingness to travel.
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Have a genuine desire to improve the lives of autistic adults.
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Your values are in line with those reflected below.
** If you would like to apply for this post, please provide a supporting statement as well to be considered for this position**
In return we can offer you:
