Group Programme Oversight

• Oversee and deliver Sparks and Flame groups (x 4).
• Plan group themes and curriculum.
• Ensure activities support social skills, wellbeing, independence and transitions.
• Support staff and volunteers during sessions.
• Lead delivery of sessions directly.

Volunteer Management

• Work with HR to recruit, then induct and supervise volunteers.
• Deliver training and support.
• Allocate volunteers to mentoring and group activities.
• Monitor volunteer performance and wellbeing.

Safeguarding & Quality

• Act as a safeguarding lead within the project.
• Maintain risk assessments.
• Ensure safe practice in community and group settings.
• Maintain records and case notes.

Monitoring & Evaluation

• Complete Outcomes Star assessments.
• Collect participant and parent feedback.
• Produce reports for funders and senior management.
• Develop case studies and evidence of impact.

General

• Uphold and adhere to the values of RfA at all times
• Ensure there is always compliance with RfA’s safeguarding policies and procedures
• All staff are expected to promote equality in the workplace and in our services
• Undertake any other duties asked of you that are commensurate with your grade

Flexible working

This role requires out of hours working at evenings and weekends. This is non negotiable.

Person Specification

Essential Skills

• Experience supporting autistic children and young people.
• Experience coordinating projects or services.
• Experience supervising staff or volunteers.
• Understanding of autism and neurodiversity.
• Strong safeguarding knowledge.
• Ability to build partnerships with schools and community organisations.
• Excellent organisational and report-writing skills.
• Experience of mentoring, coaching or supporting young people on an individual basis.
• Experience of monitoring outcomes and demonstrating impact through data and evaluation.
• Knowledge of community engagement, community development or inclusive participation.
• Knowledge of local Barnet and Brent community services.

Desirable Skills

• Relevant degree or professional qualification in health/social care/ teaching or similar

Standard Skills Expected of all Staff

• Excellent communication skills (written and verbal) adaptable to different populations including: colleagues, external professionals, service users, families, volunteers, donors
• Strong organisational and prioritisation skills
• Good understanding of Safeguarding
• IT skills: proficient with Office 365
• Self-starter and able to work independently, using own initiative
• Non-judgemental, compassionate.

Confidentiality and Safeguarding

You will have access to confidential information concerning families and other service users and will be required to maintain confidentiality at all times. 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.
• Maintain clear professional boundaries and model safe, respectful and appropriate behaviour.
• 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.

Staff Benefits

90% of our staff say that Resources for Autism is “a great place to work”. Not only will the work you do ensure we are making vital differences and inspiring others, but our other benefits also include:

• 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
• a supportive, warm and fun working environment made up of values driven people who are passionate about changing the world for autistic people

Application process

In order that we adhere to Safer Recruitment processes, all applicants are required to complete an application form which must include your full employment history with clear details, any gaps in employment need to be outlined and explained. You are also required to provide details of your full education history.

Regulated activity roles statement (anyone working directly with children or vulnerable adults such as support workers, group leaders): This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. All applicants will be subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, including a check of the relevant Barred List(s), in line with DBS eligibility criteria and the DBS Code of Practice.

In your personal statement we would like to see how you feel you meet the person specification and the requirements/responsibilities of the role. 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”. We are working to improve the ways in which we recruit and support neurodiverse employees and those with lived experience of neurodiversity. RfA is a Disability Confidant employer and candidates who meet the minimum essential criteria, that have a disability will be guaranteed an interview.