Birmingham, BAYC office – remote would be considered, but knowledge of the locality is essential. About Resources for Autism (RfA)
Since 1997 when we started as a small playgroup set up by parents dismayed at the lack of provision for their autistic children, RfA has grown into a major deliverer of services and support in London and the West Midlands with a turnover of around £2.5m per year. We want to change society’s attitude to autism whilst also providing essential services and enriching opportunities to autistic people. Inclusion, Creativity, Compassion, Courageousness and Expert. Our Services
All of our services across children and adults and parent/carers, mirror the wider organisational mission of providing safe, fun and meaningful support that enables personal development. We provide this support by ensuring our staff are skilfully trained, meet the highest safeguarding expectations and are encouraged to develop and upskill throughout their career with Resources for Autism.
This role is also expected to support the Coordinator team with organising and managing the overall waiting list for short breaks in Birmingham and breaking it down into smaller appropriate waiting lists for each club / service – which would include gathering more information on age, needs and location of each family and updating the database.
This position is well suited to someone with lived experience of autism to offer a general understanding of autism and the challenges it can present for parents and families.
Passing referrals to relevant RfA services with basic details about the referral, for further contact, assessment, or placement on the waiting list.
Offering information, advice and signposting via phone and email to families who are referring to Short Breaks services.
Keeping up to date with statutory and voluntary autism, wellbeing and youth services available in Birmingham.
Working closely with the RfA team to ensure accurate information is maintained regarding the services RfA offers to children, young people, parents/carers, and being clear on the criteria for accessing these services.
Updating and keeping records on RFAs database.
Ensure that any families requiring additional or urgent support are flagged up with the Manager/Coordinator to maintain an effective link to more targeted support and providing continuity of intervention.
Ensure there is always compliance with RfA’s safeguarding policies and procedures.
Flexible working:
Some occasional evening work may be required.
Knowledge and understanding of autism
An understanding of safeguarding in a CYP delivery context
Skills in communicating effectively with members of the public over phone, email and in person
Experience of data collection, IT and monitoring processes
Ability to support data and administrative systems under direction
Knowledge of the local services in Birmingham
Neuroaffirmative approach to autism with demonstrable passion to work with autistic community.
Good understanding of Safeguarding
IT skills: proficient with Office 365
Training in the Children’s Act and Child Protection is also required however this will be provided.
Confidentiality and Safeguarding
All staff have the following safeguarding responsibilities:
Actively promote the safety, wellbeing and inclusion of all children, young people and vulnerable adults accessing our services.
Follow organisational safeguarding policies, procedures and codes of conduct at all times.
Recognise and respond appropriately to safeguarding, welfare or behaviour-related concerns, reporting these promptly and in line with organisational procedures.
Work in a way that reduces risk and supports positive behaviour, emotional regulation and individual communication needs.
Contribute to a culture where safeguarding concerns are shared appropriately, listened to, and taken seriously.
90% of our staff say that Resources for Autism is “a great place to work”.
flexible working patterns with the option to work in a hybrid way (only available for some roles)
~25 days of leave (pro rata for part time roles) each year plus 8 bank holidays and an additional 3 Celebration days that could be used between Christmas and new year, but may be used for other religious days or significant days such as your birthday
~ access to ongoing training and progress in the areas that interest you
~ access to our wellbeing initiatives and an Employee Assistance Programme
~ enrolment on to our pension scheme
~ Non-Regulated roles with some service user contact (e.g. project staff, regular scheme visitors, fundraising roles). The successful applicant will be subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check in line with DBS eligibility criteria and the DBS Code of Practice. We particularly welcome applications from global majority candidates, LGBTQIA+ candidates and disabled candidates, because we would like to increase the representation of these groups at Resources for Autism. We want to do this because we know greater diversity will lead to even greater results for our community.
As you would expect, we are a neuro-affirming employer, with a strengths and rights based approach to neurodiversity which affirms neurodivergent identity – we don’t want to “fix” or “cure” autism, and we don’t see it as a “disability” however we do recognise it can be “disabling”. RfA is a Disability Confidant employer and candidates who meet the minimum essential criteria, that have a disability will be guaranteed an interview.