About the Role
The Children's Services Co-ordinator plays a vital role in planning, delivering and developing high-quality services for autistic children, young people and their families across Bedfordshire and beyond.
Start: September/October 2026
Job title: Children’s Services Coordinator
Working base: Elms Farm Industrial Estate, 1 Hammond Road, Bedford MK410UD
Reports to: Children’s Services Manager
Contract type: Permanent
Salary: £27,716 - £31,629 FTE
Contracted Hours: 30 - 37.5 hours per week
Working Pattern: Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm (Evenings and weekends will be required)
Checks needed: Enhanced DBS, Right to Work and 2 satisfactory references
This varied and rewarding role combines programme management, staff leadership, safeguarding responsibilities and partnership working. The successful candidate will coordinate a range of activities and services, recruit and support staff and volunteers, and ensure services are delivered safely, effectively and in line with Autism Bedfordshire's values and standards.
The role requires excellent organisational skills, the ability to manage multiple priorities, and a passion for improving opportunities and outcomes for autistic children and young people.
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Key Responsibilities
Service Delivery and Programme Management
Coordinate and oversee Autism Bedfordshire's children's services, including but not limited to:
· Summer Activity Schemes
· Family Stay and Play sessions
· Wanted Fun youth groups
· Additional social and leisure activities
You will:
· Plan, organise and evaluate programmes and activities.
· Book venues, activities and external providers.
· Ensure services run safely, efficiently and within agreed budgets.
· Monitor attendance and maintain accurate programme records.
· Develop new opportunities based on feedback and identified needs.
· Carry out regular quality assurance visits to services across Bedfordshire.
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Staff and Volunteer Management
· Recruit, interview and onboard staff and volunteers.
· Provide supervision, guidance and ongoing support.
· Organise and assist with staff training.
· Be line manager to term time staff and volunteers.
· Support Team Leaders before, during and after service delivery.
· Provide out-of-hours support where required.
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Safeguarding, Health & Safety
· Promote a culture of safeguarding across all children's services.
· Undertake Designated Safeguarding Lead responsibilities where appropriate.
· Complete and review risk assessments.
· Ensure all services comply with safeguarding, Ofsted and organisational standards.
· Maintain programme files and documentation.
· Support emergency procedures and incident management.
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Family Support and Helpline
Provide support to families through Autism Bedfordshire's helpline by:
· Listening and responding sensitively to enquiries.
· Providing information and signposting.
· Liaising with statutory and voluntary organisations.
· Recording enquiries accurately.
· Identifying emerging needs and trends.
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Partnership Working
· Build positive relationships with schools, local authorities and partner agencies.
· Attend meetings representing Autism Bedfordshire.
· Work collaboratively with colleagues across departments.
· Refer families to appropriate services where required.
· Identify and develop new opportunities to support existing and emerging needs of our autistic community
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Communications, Events and Training
· Contribute information for newsletters, website and social media.
· Organise parent and professional events.
· Arrange venues, speakers and event logistics.
· Deliver presentations and training where appropriate.
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Monitoring and Continuous Improvement
· Evaluate services and produce reports.
· Work alongside the Funding Team and Children's Services Manager to demonstrate impact.
· Identify opportunities to improve services.
· Monitor participant feedback and outcomes.
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General Responsibilities
Data Protection & Confidentiality
- All staff are required to respect the confidentiality of all matters that they may learn relating to their employment, other members of staff and to the public
- All staff are expected to adhere to the regulations regarding the Data Protection Act 2018 and ensure that information is stored correctly
Safeguarding
- Autism Bedfordshire is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults in its care
- The post holder is required to be the named officer for caseload they are overseeing and attend relevant training
- Report and share any safeguarding concerns immediately to the Autism Bedfordshire Designated Safeguarding Officer
- To ensure that this is achieved we expect all employees to share this commitment and staff working with these vulnerable groups will be recruited and selected in line with safer recruitment policies and practises including the completion of an Enhanced DBS check
Health & Safety
- Employees have a legal responsibility not to endanger themselves, fellow employees or the families they are supporting and should always adhere to relevant policies
- Risk Assessment should be carried out, signed off and shared with others in advance of any visits or community support taking place with CYP and their families
Equal Opportunities & Diversity
Autism Bedfordshire is an equal opportunities employer. The aims of the equal opportunities policy are to ensure that no job applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of race, colour, nationality, gender, sexual
orientation, marital status, age, religion or any disability, nor disadvantaged by conditions or requirements which cannot be shown to be justifiable
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How to apply
If you are passionate about making a difference in the lives of autistic children and young people and have the skills to keep a busy team running smoothly, we would love to hear from you. Please complete our online application form and submit to [email protected]
Entitlements/Benefits
Annual Leave: 25 days (pro rata). Increasing 1 day each year/20% of your weekly hours, for up to 3 years
Bank Holidays: All (pro rata)
Staff wellbeing: Weekly wellbeing programme
Parking: Free office-based onsite parking
Learning & Development: Extensive CPD opportunities across a variety of subject areas
NEST pension scheme: Auto-enrolment (employer contributes 4%, employee contributes minimum 4%)
Pay: £27,716.00-£31,629.00 per year
Benefits:
- Free parking
- Health & wellbeing programme
- On-site parking
- Sick pay
Work Location: In person
