Adult Autism Support Leader (Newcastle)
Job brief
Are you passionate about making a meaningful difference to the lives of autistic and neurodivergent individuals? Do you have the knowledge, skills, and dedication to provide high-quality, accessible support to autistic adults? If so, we want to hear from you!
Daisy Chain is looking for enthusiastic and experienced individuals to join our team as Adult Autism Support Leads. In this role, you will deliver tailored support to autistic young people and adults (18+) through psychoeducation, one-to-one, and small group sessions.
We offer a comprehensive training package, ongoing supervision, and the opportunity to work in a dynamic, supportive environment where no two days are the same. Join us and be part of a service that empowers autistic individuals to thrive.
Hours-20 hours per week Fixed term until the end of March 2027 (With possible extension subject to additional funding)
Salary-£26,000 per annum (pro rata)
Daisy Chain is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of everyone in our care and therefore this post is subject to an enhanced DBS check
Please note that if enough applications are received we will close the job early, please ensure you apply as soon as possible
Key Tasks
As part of a new team, and under the guidance of the Service Manager, you will provide high-quality and accessible support to autistic adults residing in Newcastle. This service, commissioned by NENC ICB, will accept referrals from individuals with a formal autism diagnosis as well as those on the waiting list for assessment.
Key Responsibilities:
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Deliver a bespoke package of psychoeducation, 1:1 and group support to autistic young people and adults.
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Maintain and develop an up-to-date knowledge of local service provision across the region for appropriate signposting and referrals.
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Engage with adults that are hard to reach in order to ensure that they are able to access the support that they need.
- Support the Service Manager to develop and maintain positive relationships with relevant stakeholders across the region and work in partnership with these organisations to effectively deliver the programme.
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Build and maintain positive, trust-based relationships with autistic young people/adults, in order to identify the key issues which are relevant to them.
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Contribute towards the protection of individuals from abuse by adhering to Daisy Chains Child and At Risk Adults Safeguarding policies at all times.
- Ensure the service is flexible and adapts to meet the needs of the neurodivergent community.
- Ensure the voice of neurodivergent young people and adults are heard and play an active role in reviewing and evaluating the service.
- Ensure confidentiality is maintained and that Daisy Chains GDPR Policy is adhered to at all times.
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Ensure effective and accurate recording and reporting systems in line with Daisy Chains procedures.
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Undertake administrative tasks necessary for the efficient and effective delivery of the key responsibilities in this role.
Additional responsibilities:
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Comply with the Charities Health and Safety policy in all employment practices.
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Maintain the integrity of the Daisy Chain brand in all internal and external communications.
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Work in ways, which promote equality of opportunity, participation and responsibility.
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Maintain a proactive approach to your role and responsibilities along with a commitment to contribute and maintain the positive working ethos within the Charity.
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Ensure attendance at staff meetings.
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Undertake any training and development deemed necessary within the post.
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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 duties, the outline is considered to provide a reasonable general description 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
Successful candidates will have a strong work ethic, and share our Company values of Passionate, Inclusive, Empowering, Ambitious, Open and Innovative. If you have worked in a similar setting before all the better, but most importantly we are looking for people who share our ethos of improving the lives of autistic and neurodivergent children, adults and families. The below details what we are looking for in an ideal candidate if it is Essential (E) Desirable (D) and how we will assess that skill, via your application (A) at Interview (I) or as part of a task during the interview process (T)
Experience
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Experience working with and providing support to autistic and neurodivergent individuals and their families E
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Experience of safeguarding with a good understanding of safeguarding protocols and policies E
Qualifications
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Level 3 qualification in a relevant field (e.g. autism, education, health & social care) E
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Trained to level of a Designated Safeguarding Officer or willing to work towards
Knowledge & Skills
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Ability to communicate effectively with individuals from a variety of backgrounds and with varying needs E
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An ability to remain calm, objective and proactive when faced with sensitive information, including safeguarding E
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A thorough understanding of the challenges faced by autistic and neurodivergent individuals E
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Awareness of local service provision in Newcastle for effective signposting and referrals - D
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Excellent written and verbal communications skills E
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IT literate and able to use all appropriate software packages and record information accurately E
Other
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Empathy and cultural sensitivity when working with autistic individuals - E
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A commitment to delivering high-quality, person-centred services - E
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Resilience and flexibility to adapt to changing demands and challenges - E
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Ability to work flexibly and travel across Newcastle - E
Company Benefits
Our staff do amazing jobs and as such we want to reward our staff that is why we offer
- Enhanced holiday leave of 33 days annual leave (pro rata for part time employees) rising to 35 after 5 years service.
- A bespoke induction plan specific to you and your role which starts as soon as a job offer is accepted.
- Alongside your induction plan new members of staff have a 9 month induction programme and planned meetings with their line manager to ensure the employee is settling in and offer any support needed to fulfil their role.
- Ongoing training and development.
- Our Employee Assistance Programme offers a full range of confidential services designed to ensure you receive professional support that may affect work and home life.
- Company Pension Scheme.
- Staff discount.
- Free on-site car parking and refreshments.
- Social and charitable events.
- Company sick Pay after successful completion of probationary period.
- Savings Club
- Give as you earn scheme for staff to make donation to a charity of their choice if they wish.
- If your role requires membership of a professional Body we will pay your membership fees.
ETHOS & CULTURE
I am passionate about improving the lives of Autistic children and adults and committed to Daisy Chains values, culture, and ethos. I will represent Daisy Chain in a positive manner and will always behave professionally. I will demonstrate empathy and support towards families and collaborate with staff and volunteers in the Daisy Chain team.
Vision: Our shared vision is for every person we support to live a life they enjoy and is meaningful to them at every stage
Mission: To support and empower autistic and neurodivergent individuals through the provision of holistic person-centred services, whilst promoting training, wellbeing, inclusion and acceptance regionally and nationwide
Values: Passionate; Inclusive; Empowering; Ambitious; Open; Innovative
Daisy Chains Six Core Values
Passionate Caring deeply about what you do and where you work. Having a personal investment and motivation to see Daisy Chain succeed.
Open Welcoming discussion, inquiry, and criticism. Having a mind open to new ideas and thoughts.
Inclusive Including many different types of people whom we treat all fairly andequally.
Empowering To give power to someone to enable them to be stronger and more confident within their role.
Ambitious Having or showing a strong desire and determination to achieve.
Innovative Bringing new ideas and creating improved products and services.
To be considered for the role click on the apply button above and submit your CV and details along with The Daisy Chain Application Form. If you have any gaps within your employment history, please state the reasons for these gaps within your CV. If you have any questions or require further information, please contact us on 01642 531248.
We are committed to equality of opportunity for all and do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation or marital status.
If you require any adjustments to the recruitment process, to enable you to perform to the best of your ability, please let us know when submitting your CV.
