Weekend Autism Support Practitioner

Empower Lives. Build Confidence. At Hft, we support learning disabled adults to live with independence, confidence and choice. As an Autism Support Practitioner at our service in Coleford, you’ll play a meaningful role helping people build skills, stay connected to their community and live life their way. No two days are the same. You could be supporting someone with daily routines, helping them access hobbies and activities, or building confidence with travel and independence.

We support four young males at this service, living in four self-contained flats with access to a lovely shared garden. Each individual has access to their own vehicle and they enjoy getting out and about with their support team.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Enable people to live with independence and dignity, offering support that builds skills, confidence, and achievement.
• Provide thoughtful, person‑centred care; from daily routines and personal support to helping people take on new challenges.
• Create meaningful opportunities for people to discover hobbies, learn new skills, and stay connected with family, friends, and community life.
• Support individuals to manage everyday tasks like cooking, shopping, budgeting, and travelling, so they feel in control of their own lives.
• Use your experience with Autism and behaviours that challenge to create safe, supportive environments where people can truly thrive.
• Role model Hft’s values; kindness, respect, and inclusion; and inspire others to do the same.
• Work flexibly, including sleep‑ins, ensuring people have the right support whenever they need it.

Who you are

• You’re passionate about standing alongside learning disabled adults and supporting them to live life their way.
• You’ll bring experience supporting individuals with Autism and behaviours that can challenge.
• Patience, supportiveness, and respect for people’s choices.
• A positive, encouraging approach that celebrates achievement.
• Strong communication skills to build trusting relationships.
• Willingness to learn and work towards a Health and Social Care qualification.
• Confidence providing personal support when it’s needed.
• Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, waking and sleep‑in shifts.

Life at Hft

Joining Hft means becoming part of a warm, inclusive team that values both your wellbeing and the impact you make. We believe every learning disabled adult should have the chance to live the best life possible, and that begins with supporting our colleagues. Our values guide everything we do: we’re diverse and inclusive, kind and compassionate, positive and solution‑focused, and visionary about what the best life possible can look like. Here, your work has real purpose. You’ll be part of a welcoming team that values what you bring, supports your growth, and ensures you feel included and appreciated every step of the way.

What We Offer

• A role with real impact, where your work empowers others.
• A warm, supportive, and inclusive team culture.
• 33 days’ annual leave (including bank holidays).
• Access to award‑winning training and career development.
• Flexible pay options via Wagestream.
• Wellbeing support including Digital GP, counselling, and mental health services.
• Discounts on mobiles, life assurance, and referral rewards.
• Family‑friendly policies and return‑to‑work bonuses.

Accessibility: We believe everyone should have the support they need to succeed. If you require any reasonable adjustments during the application process or in the role itself, Hft – proudly a Disability Confident Employer – is committed to ensuring disabled people can apply, succeed, and thrive with us.

Background checks: We’re committed to keeping the people we support safe, so this role requires a satisfactory DBS and background checks. Don’t worry; we’ll guide you through the process. Previous experience in supporting individuals with Autism is essential.

Additional details

Shifts: 7am‑2:30pm, 2:30pm‑10pm, Sleep‑In 10pm‑7am.