Specialist Autism Advisor – Helpline and Advice Services
Current Vacancies
Autism West Midlands is a leading charity in the West Midlands for autistic people and their families. We use our expertise to enrich the lives of autistic people and those who love and care for them. Our passionate, expert staff and volunteers work across all age groups and abilities, by providing personalised support.
Where will you be working?
The role is part of a small team responding to calls and emails from autistic people, their families and professionals supporting them. The role will focus primarily on supporting callers from our Coventry & Warwickshire service offer where we manage and navigate callers for an all-age autism service.
The team is also the first point of contact for families and individuals referred into Autism West Midlands commissioned Community Support Services. Our helpline is free from scripted calls as each contact is responded to individually, tailored to individual needs.
You will respond to requests for advice and information primarily by phone and email, but support may also be offered by video call and face-to-face appointments.
Callers may present with a single issue or more complex linked problems. You will provide detailed information, advice and guidance to callers but for those cases that require more in-depth support which you will need to refer to suitable services. You will also undertake triage assessments and deliver a limited amount of ongoing support session, where appropriate.
A hybrid role based at the Head Office in Kings Norton, working on various days from Monday-Friday with some evening work. Covering 3 days (18 hours) a week.
Key aspects of the Autism Specialist Advisor role:
- Listen to callers to gather facts to establish how best to advise them.
- Provide information about autism and advise on the implementation of autism strategies, where necessary.
- Signpost callers to relevant local services.
- Support callers in developing their own understanding of autism, how it impacts their life, and encourage independence and self-advocacy
- Ensure that all actions taken on caller’s behalf are undertaken with their understanding, approval and with awareness of confidentiality guidelines.
- Carry out research where necessary to find out more in-depth and/or local information
- Provide practical help such as mailing out information sheets and preparing visual resources
- Maintain a broad and up-to-date knowledge of local services to signpost service users appropriately, liaising with other agencies as required
- Undertake triage assessments and make internal referrals to the Community Services Team
- Develop information resources downloads for Autism West Midlands website, working in conjunction with the Communications Team.
- Manage time effectively and independently, working within the guidelines set by your line manager
- Liaise effectively and professionally with organisations, and other Autism West Midlands departments and staff, families and the people we support.
- Keep and manage case records securely and dispose of them according to legal requirements and Autism West Midlands policy.
- Collect, record and present statistical information by imputing data onto the database.
- Report 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.
- Take the time to develop your knowledge, skills and understanding of the needs of people with Autism and how to support and communicate effectively with the individuals you support.
- Attend and participate in mandatory and relevant training courses as and when required.
- Work flexibly and be prepared to undertake work outside your normal hours if required for the effective delivery of the service.
- Positively promote and raise the profile of autistic people and Autism West Midlands.
- Build effective relationships within the wider Autism West Midlands team, sharing ideas, research and developments.
- Work in accordance with Autism West Midlands policies and procedures.
- Any other duties commensurate with the role.
- In return we can offer you:
- £11,078.39 salary per year
- A supportive management team
- £50 shopping voucher after 3-month probation
- Free DBS check paid for by Autism West Midlands
- Free Bupa Healthcare cash back scheme
- Employee assistance scheme providing support
- Extensive training
- Life assurance
- Company Sick Pay Scheme
- Refer a friend scheme – £200 for each referral!
We are looking to recruit a Specialist Autism Advisor – Helpline and Advice Services
Salary: £11,078.39
Hours: 18
Location: Hybrid (office 1 day per week)
Becoming a Support Worker with Autism West Midlands means you are someone who will:
Your main focus will be to understand the person you support by identifying his/her likes/dislikes hobbies and interests. It’s important that you listen, understand and respect each person you are providing support for.
“My senses might affect me in ways you don’t experience, please try to understand.”
You must be able to adopt a flexible approach and identify what the individual wants and how you can support to achieve it. We want our support workers to be creative and proactive in discovering how goals can be worked towards and achieved together.
“My routine is important to me but sometimes I like a change and want something different. Support my choices and understand that I have the right to change my mind.”
The people we support are vulnerable adults and therefore a part of your role is ensuring that we hold accurate and reliable records and safeguard the individuals against any perceived or actual harm
“I may not always be able to say how I feel so pay attention to me and see the changes in my behaviour, that’s how you’ll know if somethings not right. Do the right thing by me”
Benefits
Apply
The information that we receive from your CV is requested for the ‘Legitimate interest purposes.’ As an employer, we require the information contained within your CV in order to make a assess your suitability for the position. The information will be shared with HR team and recruiting Manager. Your CV will be deleted if it is not progressed past the shortlisting stage within 2 months of providing you with feedback