Referral Advice Officer in Birmingham

Location: Birmingham, BAYC office – remote considered but local knowledge essential.

Hours: 10 hours per week.

Salary: Pro‑rata salary: approx. £6,994 pa (£26,228 FTE pa).

Duration: Ongoing, dependent on funding.

Reports to: Coordinator.

About Resources for Autism (RfA): Since 1997, Resources for Autism has grown into a major provider of services and support in London and the West Midlands, with a turnover of around £2.5 m per year. Our mission is to support and enable autistic people to live happy and fulfilling lives. We are a values‑driven organisation operating under the principles of Inclusion, Creativity, Compassion, Courage, and Expertise.

The Role: Family Information & Waiting List Administrator – first point of contact for families seeking short‑break services in Birmingham. The role involves managing referrals, signposting families, and maintaining the waiting list for short‑break services.

Main Responsibilities:

• Respond to referrals and signpost internally and externally.
• Pass referrals to relevant RfA services with basic details for further contact, assessment or placement on the waiting list.
• Provide information, advice and signposting via phone and email to families seeking short‑break services.
• Keep up to date with statutory and voluntary autism, wellbeing and youth services available in Birmingham.
• Work closely with the RfA team to ensure accurate information about services offered to children, young people, parents/carers, and clarity on criteria for access.
• Update and maintain records on RfA’s database.
• Follow up calls with a summary of information via email.
• Attend team meetings and share information on changing trends in referrals.
• Provide an efficient and welcoming access point for families, working as part of a team supporting effective service delivery.
• Flag families requiring additional or urgent support to Manager/Coordinator to maintain link to targeted support and continuity of intervention.
• Manage the waiting list and gather relevant information for appropriate service allocation.
• Uphold and adhere to the values of RfA at all times.
• Ensure compliance with RfA’s safeguarding policies and procedures.
• Promote equality in the workplace and in our services.
• Undertake other duties as required, commensurate with the role.

Flexible Working: Some occasional evening work may be required.

Person Specification – Essential Skills:

• Friendly, empathetic listener.
• Experience working successfully in a people service delivery position.
• Knowledge and understanding of autism.
• Understanding of safeguarding in a CYP delivery context.
• Experience in an administrative role.
• Skills in communicating effectively with members of the public over phone, email and in person.
• Experience of data collection, IT and monitoring processes.
• Ability to support data and administrative systems under direction.
• Knowledge of local services in Birmingham.
• Values-driven and passionate about making a difference to marginalised voices.
• Neuro‑affirmative approach to autism.

Desirable Skills:

• Understanding of partnership and multi‑agency working and ability to work well alongside colleagues with different roles.
• Previous experience working within a coproduction lens.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills adaptable to different populations.
• Strong organisational and prioritisation skills.
• Good understanding of safeguarding.
• IT skills: proficient with Office 365.
• Self‑starter, able to work independently.
• Non‑judgemental, compassionate.

Training: Training in the Children’s Act and Child Protection is required and will be provided.

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 to safeguarding, welfare or behaviour‑related concerns, reporting promptly in line with procedures.
• Work in a way that reduces risk and supports positive behaviour, emotional regulation and communication needs.
• Contribute to a culture where safeguarding concerns are shared appropriately, listened to and taken seriously.

Benefits:

• Flexible working patterns with option to work in a hybrid way.
• 25 days of leave (pro‑rata for part‑time roles) each year plus 8 bank holidays and 3 Celebration days for religious or significant occasions.
• Access to ongoing training and progress in areas of interest.
• Wellbeing initiatives and an Employee Assistance Programme.
• Enrollment into pension scheme.
• Supportive, values‑driven working environment.

EEO Statement: We particularly welcome applications from global majority, LGBTQIA+ and disabled candidates, and as a neuro‑affirming employer we are committed to diversity and inclusion.