Job Description

Job Title: Autism Family Support Link Worker (Ref: LW1)

(This is not a counselling or advice role)

Reporting To: Family Support Manager

Base: Central Office, Autism NI.

Hourly Rate: £8.00

Contracted Hours per week: 20hrs (over 5 days)

Main Purpose of Job:

-  Develop and manage a link service for parents/carers of an individual with ASD

-  To signpost parents to the full range of services for their child/individual with ASD

-  To link parents with and support the development of Autism NI Parent Support Hubs in the community

-  Build up a portfolio of contacts, services, training, events and activities for the Autism community

-  Be a point of contact for individuals with ASD and their families to offer support before they meet with local support groups

-  To assist the Family Support Manager

-  To contribute towards an effective family support service within the local community and work to reduce the isolation that families and individuals effected by ASD experience

-  To help support the development of new Parent Support Groups and Branches in each of the areas

-  Maintain confidentiality for all areas of Autism NI, its staff and its work

-  To represent and promote the Organisation and its services

-  To provide regular reports as required.

Qualification/Experience

Required:

-  Educated to a minimum of two A Level passes or equivalent and GCSE English grade C or above or equivalent.

-  Have experience of working with the voluntary and community sectors

-  Have at least 1 year’s experience of giving telephone support

-  Be competent in the use of Microsoft Office and the internet

-  Ability to maintain confidentiality and record keeping

-  Awareness of the significance of parental support

-  Good communication skills and telephone manner

-  Ability to work independently, be self motivated, organized and manage time effectively

Desirable Criteria: - A general understanding of Autism

-  Awareness of requirements for parents following diagnosis

-  Willingness to travel to attend meetings

-  Third level qualification in a relevant subject.

Specific Responsibilities:-

-  To provide telephone support to parents of a

child with autism

-  To signpost parents of a child with Autism to

encourage access to the full range of services for their child

-  To link parents with Autism NI Community support groups, training and other services in their local area

-  Maintain records of activity and build database of resources

-  Assist the Family Support Manager to ensure the Project functions within the parameters of the Funding Application

-  It is acknowledged the worker may experience some isolation working alone - maintain links with key staff at Autism NI central office for support when required

-  Respect confidentiality of parent/family, whilst working to the policies and procedures of Autism NI

-  Ensure Project stays to the Ethos of Autism NI

-  Work with new parents and existing Autism NI parents support network to provide support for newly diagnosed families

-  Support the development of parent support groups and branches in each area

General Duties: - Contribute to development of a local resource

of information and updating of information

packs/leaflets where appropriate

-  Respond to queries about Autism and services from parents/carers and extended families

-  Provide regular monitoring and evaluation data as required by Family Support Manager

-  Responsible for the administrative work involved in carrying out duties.

Confidentiality: Maintain confidentiality for parental identity and issues.

All information is confidential to this Project and must be subject to data protection/confidentiality rules of Autism NI

General Ethos &

Code of Conduct: Co-operate with all Autism NI staff in maintaining good relationships with outside agencies and the general public in order to uphold the Organisations image and win increased support for its work.

Promote a positive image of Autism, the service at Central Office, Branches and the Autism NI Network.

Ensure that your conduct within and outside Autism NI Central Office does not conflict with professional expectations of Autism NI

Actively support and promote Autism NI and all its policies including “Equal Opportunities” & “Fair Employment”.

Co-operate with all Autism NI staff in maintaining harmonious inter-personal relations.

Attend staff meetings and training as required.

Ensure the respect, dignity and rights to privacy of callers as far as possible.

Participate in regular Management, Support and Development sessions with your Line Manger.

Carry out any other duties as are within the scope, spirit and purpose of the job, the title of the post and its grading as requested by your Line Manager or his/her higher level of authority.

NOTE:The job description reflects the present requirements of the post. As duties and responsibilities change and develop the job description will be reviewed and subject to amendment in consultation with the post holder.

EMPLOYEE SPECIFICATION

Autism Support Worker

“X” indicates the essential and desirable characteristics of the post holder.

CATEGORY
/
ESSENTIAL
/
DESIRABLE
A /
Qualifications
GCSE English grade c or above or equivalent /

X

2 A Level passes or equivalent
/ X
Relevant 3rd level qualification
/ X
B /
Knowledge
Autism / X
Knowledge of relevant Education Services / X
Knowledge of legislation relating to Children Services / X
Knowledge of range of services
available to meet individual needs / X
Awareness of local services and
resources to be made available to
individuals with Autism / X
The role of a helpline, linking and signposting service / X
C /
Skills
Development and organisational
Skills / X
Excellent Interpersonal skills / X
Planning and prioritising skills / X
Excellent telephone skills and manner
/ X
Microsoft Office and internet skills
/ X
D /
Work Experience
Paid or unpaid work within voluntary or statutory setting / X
Linking with community based
services / X
Experience of working in collaboration with a range of statutory and voluntary agencies / X
Experience of working with children with Autism / challenging behaviour / X
Involved in developing and working
In a support service / X
E
/
Personal Qualities

Commitment to Equal Opportunities

/ X
Self-motivation/ability to work on own initiative/time management / X
Ability to make decisions / X
Ability to encourage and motivate
Others / X
Ability to manage boundaries / X
Tact and diplomacy / X
Confidentiality / X

Working conditions of this post are indicated below:-

TRAVEL

Will be required to travel at times within the local area and to Autism NI Central Office in order to:

·  Attend meetings, training, management support and supervision etc

ANTI-SOCIAL HOURS

May be required to work with parents/others outside usual working hours. There is a Time Off in Lieu Policy

WORKING ENVIRONMENT

Based at Autism NI, Donard (a separate mobile telephone, laptop computer and stationary, will be provided if neccessary)

PRESSURES INHERENT IN JOB

·  Dealing with raised expectations of families

·  Distress and uncertainty of families/callers

·  Isolation

OTHER SIGNIFICANT FACTORS

Strong organizational skills, flexibility plus patience and empathy are essential to enable jobholder to effectively work in this project.