Dedicated Lead Autism Support Practitioner and Team Leader required for a rewarding and challenging role.

Would you like to join a team of dedicated practitioners and family carers to provide genuine person-centred support to a man with autism, mild learning difficulties and complex needs?

Would you like to co-lead our small team, with the confidence that you have become a specialist in his support and gained his trust, first?

You will provide social & emotional support while he explores the countryside around Bristol and the surrounding counties. You will help him develop confidence within his community, so expanding the range of settings and opportunities he is able to access and enjoy. You will support his wellbeing and increase his independence through planning and delivering structured activities in his home, which enable him to develop his independence skills and interests.

You will provide and inspire outstanding Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) and create an environment that enables him to reduce his anxiety and manage his behaviour, so he can thrive and achieve his life-goals.

You will have the opportunity to gain professional qualifications in PBS and leadership while working, and develop an advanced understanding of autism.

This is dual-role in which you will spend the majority of your time providing direct support to our client. As such, you will remain a hand-on ‘practice leader’, leading and inspiring the team by example. In addition, you will have dedicated time each week to assist the manager with management duties. As your expertise grows, you will take on specific responsibilities such as training, supervision, coaching & supporting the team, implementing & reviewing support plans and care co-ordination. The Manager and you, the Team Leader, will work closely and in partnership to lead the team, each working to our strengths and with clear areas of responsibility.

You will require a driving license and your own car.

The role will require at least 2 full days 9am -5pm, plus 2-3 mornings per week. In addition, you will be required to support the client on a 3-4 night holiday per year in the UK. Working days may be negotiated to some degree.

Salary £29,250 - £32,175 pro-rata (based on 37.5 hr week).

The M.R. Trust

Over 2000 learning disabled or autistic people in England are still living unnecessarily restricted and distressed lives in inpatient mental health hospitals due to a lack of specialist support in the community. James’ support is an example of a small individualised support service which is at the heart of ‘Transforming Care’ for such individuals. A close and creative collaboration between family and skilled and dedicated support workers enables James to benefit from those pillars of security and liberty we all need: home, family, lasting relationships with people who understand us, freedom to go out, choice and control over our lives, opportunities to follow a special interest, to learn and contribute. By working with us you will make a difference to the life of one individual who is amongst the most vulnerable adults in our community, and in doing so will develop specialist knowledge and skills which are much needed, and therefore are greatly valued.

We seek employees who we are also passionate about enabling those with autism to enjoy full rights and access to our community, and who are able to provide him with the emotional security and the structured, stimulating days he needs.

We offer extensive training and on-going support to our extremely valuable staff.

If you share our values, and have personal or work experience of supporting or teaching/tutoring people with autism/ASD, learning disabilities, challenging behaviour, brain injury and/or mental health problems we would love to hear from you.

Further details of role:

Key role and responsibilities:

• To listen, strive to understand and empathise with the client
• To support client with communication and help him articulate his thoughts, feelings, needs and preferences.
• To support client on his 1-2 hour walks of his choice in the countryside around Bristol and surrounding counties. To drive your vehicle to take him on his outings.
• To provide client with emotional support and help him manage his anxiety.
• To support client on a 2:1 basis in the community, and a 2:1 or 1:1 basis in the home, according to level of experience.
• To provide client with a stimulating programme of activities during the day.
• To help client to increase his life skills & confidence through structured activities such as cooking, literacy, using his PC, horticulture  and DIY.
• To positively manage risk, to enable the client to do his chosen activities safely.
• To support the client with his anxiety, and help him manage his behaviour using Positive Behaviour Support.
• To participate in training, weekly team meetings and regular supervision
• To work collaboratively with the client, his family, care team and other professionals to ensure he receives consistent support.
• To use ‘planning & preparation time’ to ensure client outings go smoothly, to prepare indoor educational sessions, and to ensure important information is recorded and communicated across the team.
• To participate in any training required to become a proficient Practice Leader in Positive Behaviour Support
• To work in close partnership with the manager (James’ sister) and, once your training period has ended, co-lead the team and take responsibility for the implementation of PBS Plan & other person-centred care plans.

 Minimum requirements

• Having a full UK driving licence and willingness to use car for work purposes.
• Sharing our values.
• Experience of working with individuals with challenging behaviour either in a personal or professional capacity.
• At least one year experience of supporting or teaching/tutoring individuals with emotional or social functioning difficulties, such as ASD, learning disabilities, brain injury or mental health problems.
• Qualification/s at Level 3 of the Regulated Qualification Framework (e.g. A Level, BTEC, NVQ 3) or above.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, verbal communication and team working skills
• Personal qualities such as empathy, interest in the psychological world of others, ability to understand complicated & diverse viewpoints, kindness, dedication, patience, attention to detail and good organisation skills.
• Strong motivation and enjoyment for this type of work
• An average level of fitness or above.

What we will offer:

• Higher than average pay for the sector
• Generous mileage allowance
• Job security.
• NEST Pension
• Extended induction period, extensive PBS & Autism training (including the opportunity to gain regulated qualifications to Level 5 (e.g. BILD BTEC Certificate in PBS & Diploma in Practice Leadership in PBS)
• Ongoing professional support and supervision
• Career progression: The opportunity to develop & expand skills and take on a Practice leader or Deputy manager role after training and experience.
• A highly supportive, collaborative team culture which is open to learning.
• Pleasant work settings.
• Varied and rewarding work