At a Glance
- Tasks: Co-ordinate daily service delivery and manage a passionate team supporting autistic individuals.
- Company: Join Autism West Midlands, a leading charity dedicated to enriching lives of autistic people.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, 28 days annual leave, healthcare scheme, and specialist training opportunities.
- Other info: Flexible working hours with excellent career growth potential.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of autistic adults and families while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Experience in team management and knowledge of autism is essential.
Autism West Midlands – Leading charity for autistic adults, children, and families
Autism West Midlands is a leading charity in the West Midlands for Autistic adults, children as well as offering families support and guidance. 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?
Autism West Midlands are commissioned by local authorities, NHS and other funders to provide services in Birmingham and The Black Country for both autistic adults and families. We are seeking an Assistant Manager to co‑coordinate the day‑to‑day delivery of the service and line manage the staff team.
The Assistant Manager will offer direct line management and support to a team of Autism Specialist Advisors (ASAs). The role will involve overseeing the activity of ASAs through delegation of tasks, maintaining safe working practices, quality checks and ensuring adequate training has been provided for the role. The ideal candidate would have experience in supervising teams and relevant experience in previous roles around supporting adults and children with autism related needs.
The post holder will need flexibility to work as part of a small team including the need to offer support to members of the team out of office hours.
A full driving licence and access to a car is desirable for this role. The role will involve working across Birmingham, Solihull and The Black Country.
This is a Monday to Friday role with some flexibility for work out of office hours.
Key aspects of the Assistant Manager
- Keep oversight of staff workloads, allocating, reducing or redistributing work as required.
- Provide case load support for Autism Specialist Advisors, including coordinating case review meetings, preparing for/debriefing after difficult sessions, assisting with complex cases as required.
- Provide regular supervision and appraisals for direct reports.
- Managing staff sickness and annual leave.
- Ensure team meetings take place on a regular basis, and any issues are addressed and actioned in a timely manner.
- Oversee the quality‑of‑service delivery and provide updates and reports to senior managers.
- Offering impartial advice and guidance in key areas relating to autism.
- Advising and support on the implementation of autism strategies.
- Liaison with other professionals/organisations, signposting and completing appropriate referrals.
- Advocating the needs and preferences of autistic individuals.
What we are looking for from you as an Assistant Manager
- Experience of managing a small team – Essential
- The ability to support and motivate others in your team.
- Experience and knowledge around autism – Essential
- Ability to work independently without direct supervision.
- Experience of providing advice, information and support to a team.
- Knowledge of how autism and other co‑occurring conditions may interplay.
- A passion and interest in promoting good practice around supporting autistic individuals.
- Knowledge of community services in the local area.
- Have a genuine desire to improve the lives of autistic adults and families.
- The ability to communicate with people who have a range of different needs.
- IT literate, with practical experience of using Microsoft Teams, Word, Excel and Office 365.
In return we can offer you
- £30,000 per annum
- A supportive management team
- Development/career prospects
- 28 days annual leave to increase yearly to 33 days over 5 years
- Free DBS check paid for by Autism West Midlands
- Free Medicash Healthcare cash back scheme
- Employee assistance scheme providing support to you and your family
- Specialist autism training you are paid to attend and travel to
Assistant Manager – Adult and Family in Birmingham employer: AUTISM WEST MIDLANDS
Autism West Midlands is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a supportive and empowering work environment for its staff. Located in the vibrant community of Marston Green, employees benefit from generous annual leave, professional development opportunities, and a collaborative culture that prioritises the well-being of both staff and the individuals they support. Joining our team means being part of a mission-driven organisation that values your contributions and encourages personal growth.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Manager – Adult and Family in Birmingham
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at AUTISM WEST MIDLANDS.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from AUTISM WEST MIDLANDS!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like AUTISM WEST MIDLANDS, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at AUTISM WEST MIDLANDS or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Manager – Adult and Family in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to AUTISM WEST MIDLANDS:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to AUTISM WEST MIDLANDS! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at AUTISM WEST MIDLANDS
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
