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Job Details

Location

Belfast, Northern Ireland

Closing Date

2018-03-15 00:00:00

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Autism Project Worker (15 hours weekly)

  • Specialisterne Northern Ireland is an Autism at Work consultancy, which opened in Belfast in April 2014. As part of the Specialisterne International Network, which spans 15 countries for 14 years, we aim to support autistic people to get ready for, secure, and sustain, rewarding careers. We are now looking to expand our team.
    This is an excellent opportunity to join a unique not-for-private-profit organisation in Northern Ireland where you will have the opportunity to work with a small team of autism specialists seeking to develop new tools and techniques which support the career development and well-being of autistic adults.

    Job Title: Autism Project Worker (15 hours weekly). Project: Recruit++

    The Recruit++ project was designed following consultation with autistic people in 2016 through surveys and focus groups (with 100 autistic people) and consultation with employers, recruitment consultancies, university and college staff and employment training providers. It is designed to provide the additional supports that will help autistic people secure rewarding careers.

    This recruitment is subject to funding being in place in March 2018, which, if provided, will mean that Recruit++ will commence in April 2018.

    Objective
    Working as part of the Recruit++ Project team, the Recruit++ Autism Project Worker’s aim is to support participants, who are young people or adults on the Autistic Spectrum, to experience reduced attitudinal and communication barriers, and to progress in relation to having a career.

    By providing Autism specialist support, the Recruit++ Project Worker will help participants feel more ready to meet employers, education and training providers, and to make a positive start to a new career.

    The Recruit++ Project Worker will also connect with an exciting employer, gatekeeper and training/education provider forum, who will inform the Recruit++ curriculum, ensuring participant’s learning pathways are relevant to their chosen career at this time, and who will provide learning opportunities for participants.

    Job Description
    • One to one meetings with Recruit++ participants, to support participants to develop strategies in relation to:
    o Having a career
    o Reducing attitudinal and communication barriers
    • Coaching participants in relation to strategies of autistic people.
    • Support of Learning hubs and Career Clubs. For example, helping participants develop employability skills and resilience strategies for working life.

    • Recruitment consultancy and employer briefings.
    • Support of group workshops. Recruit++ involves co-designing workshops with employers.
    • Undertaking weekly activities, along with the Recruit++ project team, to support participants to achieve project aims, such as securing employment and further training or education.
    • Support of the Recruit++participant Panel, who review and advise on Recruit++project activities.
    • Maintaining records in relation to all project activity, in line with Specialisterne NI quality standards and GDPR regulations.
    • Ongoing learning of tools and techniques which may support Recruit++ participants to achieve project objectives
    • Any other activity which fits the remit of the Recruit++ project.

    Person Specification

    Essential
    • Study in a relevant subject area at undergraduate or post graduate level (this includes currently studying or completed) Examples of relevant study include Atypical Development, Psychology, Autism Spectrum related, Sensory Integration. Other subject areas will also be considered in terms of relevance.
    • Demonstrated interest in and knowledge of Autism.

    Desirable
    • Demonstrated in-depth knowledge of Autism
    • Experience in supporting children, young people, or adults on the Autistic Spectrum to achieve the changes they want
    • Experience in supporting people in small groups
    • Experience in documentation of work according to quality standards.
    • Demonstrated willingness to learn and a commitment to developing new solutions for autistic people.
    • A driving licence or ability to travel to various locations across Belfast where the project will be delivered.

    Terms and Conditions
    • 15 hours weekly, times to be agreed with the successful candidate. Hours typically between 8am-5:30pm, Monday -Friday.
    •Recruitment is subject to funding becoming available in March 2018. If funding does not become available a shortlist will be made with a view to offer should funding become available at a later date. If funding does become available in March 2018, the funding period is expected to run from April 2018 to March 2022, which would be the fixed term period of a contract of employment. Salary would be commensurate with experience.
    • Specialisterne NI is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. Employment to this post is therefore subject to an Access NI Enhanced Check.
    • Specialisterne NI is an equal opportunities employer.

    Application Process
    • Interested applicants should send a Curriculum Vitae to:
    Sharon Didrichsen, Manager, Specialisterne NI
    By email: sharond@specialisterne.com
    Or by post to:
    Sharon Didrichsen
    Specialisterne NI
    Skainos
    239 Newtownards Road
    Belfast
    BT4 1AF
    • Closing date for applications: 15 March 2018
    • For additional information regarding Specialisterne NI, visit https://www.specialisterneni.com or contact Sharon Didrichsen at sharond@specialisterne.com Mobile 07565 936191
    Bank of Autism Support Workers

    • With applicant permission, applicants from the shortlist for this post may also be considered for a Recruit++ Autism Project Worker (full-time post), a Recruit+ Autism Project Worker post (full-time post) and/or the Specialisterne NI Bank of Autism Support Workers.