Job summary
We are looking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic person to join the Bristol Autism Spectrum Service (BASS) as an Autism Community Link Worker.This is a full-time, substantive position. BASS is a passionate, innovative and creative multi-disciplinary team, providing services to autistic adults across Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire (BNSSG). We are constantly developing ideas and interventions to improve the lives of autistic people.
The post-holder will be an integral part of this team, providing a Social Prescribing intervention to autistic adults.
At AWP we actively encourage applicants from all backgrounds; we are particularly keen to encourage applications from people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, those with disabilities and from the LGBTQ+ community. We want people to bring their unique blend of experiences, backgrounds, perspectives and knowledge to AWP, as diversity makes us stronger.
Right to Work in the UK This position is not eligible for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship. Applicants must already hold the legal right to work in the UK at the time of application, as the organisation is unable to support sponsorship for this post
Main duties of the job
The purpose of this post is to provide a social prescribing intervention to autistic individuals, supporting them to access social opportunities (e.g. hobbies, volunteering, education, support groups),through one to one support, advice, and signposting. The job will involve a lot of travel around BNSSG.
Alongside 1:1 interventions, we have developed Social Prescribing groups that the successful candidate will be expected to support. These include an EcoHome Garden, an allotment, and a monthly social group at different cultural spaces across the BSNSSG.
The autism community link worker will also work alongside other members of the BASS team to form good quality relationships with key people in local services across the care pathway, with the aim of improving their ability and motivation to provide high quality, accessible services to autistic people.
Experience of social prescribing is desirable, as is experience of teaching/training staff, facilitating groups and conducting service evaluations. What is essential is that any prospective candidate has some experience of working with autistic people, a genuine respect for service users and a profound commitment to reducing the levels of social exclusion often experienced by autistic people and their families.
About us
We are AWP (Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust):a diverse organisation with over 5,000 dedicated staff providing inpatient and community-based mental health care.
We provide services from a range of locations to approximately 1.8 million people living in Bath and North East Somerset (B&NES), Bristol, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire, Swindon, across the county of Wiltshire and in parts of Dorset.
Our outstanding people promote mental health and wellbeing. The expertise and resources within AWP are dedicated to a person-centred approach for those who use our services and for all employees. We recognise that happy and fulfilled employees give better care.
AWP is committed to support and create a positive research and evidence-based environment and culture, which can have a beneficial impact on everyone who works for the organisation and the care we provide to those who use our services.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To undertake the role of autism community link worker for an agreed number of service users, organising and participating in the ongoing assessment, planning, delivering and review of care to meet identified social care and wellbeing needs. This will include:
-
- Explaining the role of the autism community link worker
- Organising and participating in defined assessment methods/activities
- Developing and reviewing appropriate action plans identifying and organising other resources as appropriate.
- Completing relevant paper and electronic documentation in line with the autism community link worker role and the wider te
Planning and undertaking defined interventions to enable the individual to meet and develop their social care and wellbeing needs, to increase confidence and independence in line with agreed action plans. This might include supporting individuals to:
-
-
- access information on appropriate and safe social opportunities
- move into new accommodation or respite care
- complete forms or letter e.g. housing benefits
- contact employment advisors or education facilitie
Effectively build hope inspiring relationships which acknowledge the personal journey of each person, and focus on strengths and aspirations to allow the creation of meaningful personal action plans.
Communicate effectively with a wide range of people in order to build and sustain effective, and positive relationships with individuals, and carers, team members and other agencies. This may include accessing translation and interpreting services.
To work collaboratively with service users and their carers to understand and manage their needs in line with their personal action plan
To undertake specific activities and interventions in the support of carers including engagement and involvement, assessment and provision of support or services.
Organise and participate in the development of risk assessments
Respond to the needs of individual with sensitivity with regard to their age, culture, race, gender, ethnicity, social class or disability, modifying behaviour to optimise the helping relationship.
Promote the rights of individual by recognising differences and acting in accordance with the relevant legislation, recognising and reporting discriminatory behaviour, and taking appropriate action.
To be responsible for maintaining own caseload on a day to day basis, ensuring that time is prioritised effectively.
Contribute to the protection of individuals from abuse and harm in line with local safeguarding policies and procedures, by recognising and reporting any signs that may indicate an individual is at risk of neglecting or harming themselves, or at risk from others, and by participating in processes with other agencies to keep the individual safe.
Develop own knowledge and practice, and contribute to the development of others, making use of available feedback, supervision and appraisal to identify appropriate areas of development for this work role, taking responsibility for accessing identified learning and training opportunities.
Maintain accurate, confidential records of patient activity, writing reports and letters, utilising electronic record and other systems available within the organisation.
Report and record within agreed timeframes, all activity relating to information reporting and performance requirements.
See Job Description for full details
Job description
Job responsibilities
To undertake the role of autism community link worker for an agreed number of service users, organising and participating in the ongoing assessment, planning, delivering and review of care to meet identified social care and wellbeing needs. This will include:
-
- Explaining the role of the autism community link worker
- Organising and participating in defined assessment methods/activities
- Developing and reviewing appropriate action plans identifying and organising other resources as appropriate.
- Completing relevant paper and electronic documentation in line with the autism community link worker role and the wider te
Planning and undertaking defined interventions to enable the individual to meet and develop their social care and wellbeing needs, to increase confidence and independence in line with agreed action plans. This might include supporting individuals to:
-
-
- access information on appropriate and safe social opportunities
- move into new accommodation or respite care
- complete forms or letter e.g. housing benefits
- contact employment advisors or education facilitie
Effectively build hope inspiring relationships which acknowledge the personal journey of each person, and focus on strengths and aspirations to allow the creation of meaningful personal action plans.
Communicate effectively with a wide range of people in order to build and sustain effective, and positive relationships with individuals, and carers, team members and other agencies. This may include accessing translation and interpreting services.
To work collaboratively with service users and their carers to understand and manage their needs in line with their personal action plan
To undertake specific activities and interventions in the support of carers including engagement and involvement, assessment and provision of support or services.
Organise and participate in the development of risk assessments
Respond to the needs of individual with sensitivity with regard to their age, culture, race, gender, ethnicity, social class or disability, modifying behaviour to optimise the helping relationship.
Promote the rights of individual by recognising differences and acting in accordance with the relevant legislation, recognising and reporting discriminatory behaviour, and taking appropriate action.
To be responsible for maintaining own caseload on a day to day basis, ensuring that time is prioritised effectively.
Contribute to the protection of individuals from abuse and harm in line with local safeguarding policies and procedures, by recognising and reporting any signs that may indicate an individual is at risk of neglecting or harming themselves, or at risk from others, and by participating in processes with other agencies to keep the individual safe.
Develop own knowledge and practice, and contribute to the development of others, making use of available feedback, supervision and appraisal to identify appropriate areas of development for this work role, taking responsibility for accessing identified learning and training opportunities.
Maintain accurate, confidential records of patient activity, writing reports and letters, utilising electronic record and other systems available within the organisation.
Report and record within agreed timeframes, all activity relating to information reporting and performance requirements.
See Job Description for full details
Person Specification
Essential and Desirable
Essential
- NVQ Level 3 completed in Mental health setting or City and Guilds Certificate in Community Mental Health
- Experience in working with autistic individuals
- Demonstrate well developed written and verbal communication skills.
- Experience of delivering a range of interventions.
- Ability to form and sustain a working relationship with service users, carers and external stakeholders
- Experience of using IT packages
- Understanding of how supervision supports safe working practices
- Able to demonstrate a broad understanding of the concept of confidentiality.
- Able to demonstrate an appreciation of equal opportunities/diversity issues.
- Able to travel freely and flexibly across the local area.
- Flexible and adaptable to change.
Desirable
- Experience of teaching/training staff.
- Experience of facilitating groups.
- Experience of gardening/managing green spaces
- Has worked as a Social Prescriber
- Experience of conducting service evaluations
Person Specification
Essential and Desirable
Essential
- NVQ Level 3 completed in Mental health setting or City and Guilds Certificate in Community Mental Health
- Experience in working with autistic individuals
- Demonstrate well developed written and verbal communication skills.
- Experience of delivering a range of interventions.
- Ability to form and sustain a working relationship with service users, carers and external stakeholders
- Experience of using IT packages
- Understanding of how supervision supports safe working practices
- Able to demonstrate a broad understanding of the concept of confidentiality.
- Able to demonstrate an appreciation of equal opportunities/diversity issues.
- Able to travel freely and flexibly across the local area.
- Flexible and adaptable to change.
Desirable
- Experience of teaching/training staff.
- Experience of facilitating groups.
- Experience of gardening/managing green spaces
- Has worked as a Social Prescriber
- Experience of conducting service evaluations
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
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