Senior Autism Support Lead

About the Role

We are seeking a Senior Autism Session Lead to join our Care Team and provide high‑quality, autism‑informed leadership across placements, clubs and holiday provision.

This role is suited to an experienced practitioner with a strong background in supporting autistic and neurodivergent children and young people. You will play a key role in maintaining high standards, supporting consistency of practice, and guiding staff across services, while remaining actively involved in direct delivery with young people.

Alongside hands‑on delivery, you will work closely with the Head of Care Services and wider leadership team to support coordination, planning and the ongoing development of our services. While this is a senior role, it may also suit an experienced practitioner who is ready to take the next step in their career, with structured support available to develop leadership and senior practice skills.

Key Responsibilities

• Leading and Supporting Placements
• Deliver high‑quality direct 1:1 support within placements during term time, modelling
• Excellent autism‑informed and person‑centred practice
• Act as a key source of professional support for placement staff, working closely with the Placements Manager
• Provide guidance, problem‑solving support and reassurance in day‑to‑day delivery
• Promote confidence, consistency and quality across placement provision
• Maintain a visible, calm and approachable presence across service

Leading Clubs and Holiday Provision

• Take a senior role in the delivery and ongoing development of evening clubs and holiday activities
• Contribute ideas and improvements to enhance engagement, inclusion and outcomes for young people
• Support staff to plan and deliver sessions confidently, addressing challenges as they arise
• Lead at least one club or session per week, modelling high‑quality inclusive practice
• Work one Saturday Activity Day per month as part of the wider programme
• Provide holiday and sickness cover as required

Supporting Staff Practice

• Provide day‑to‑day professional guidance and informal mentoring to staff across placements, clubs and holiday provision
• Support colleagues to build confidence, skills and consistency in autism‑informed approaches
• Share good practice and promote reflective, person‑centred working
• Act as a role model for professional standards, boundaries and quality of care

Planning, Coordination and Administration

• Use allocated non‑contact time for planning, preparation and coordination across servicesMaintain clear communication, records and documentation to support safe and effective delivery
• Provide mentorship to Autism Session Leads and line manage Autism Support Workers as required

Essential Criteria

• Significant experience working directly with autistic and neurodivergent children and young people, including those with varying support needs
• Strong understanding of autism‑informed, person‑centred and neuroaffirmative practice
• Proven ability to lead sessions and maintain high standards of care and delivery
• Confidence balancing hands‑on work with young people alongside coordination and staff support responsibilities
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to provide calm, clear guidance to staff
• Flexible and responsive approach to working across different services and settings
• Strong commitment to safeguarding, professional boundaries, equality, diversity and inclusive practice
• Willingness and ability to work one Saturday per month and provide cover during holiday periods as required

Desirable Criteria

• Experience providing professional guidance, mentoring or informal leadership to colleagues
• Motivation and readiness to develop further into a senior practitioner role, with support and guidance provided
• Relevant qualification in health, social care, education, psychology or a related field
• Experience contributing to service development, quality improvement or programme planning
• Experience supporting staff training, induction or reflective practice
• Knowledge of SEND frameworks, safeguarding legislation and best‑practice guidance
• Experience working across a range of settings, including community, group and 1:1 provision
• Experience line managing or supervising staff

Job Details

• Hours: 37.5 hours per week (weekday working, plus one Saturday per month)
• Salary: £26,500 – £28,000 (dependent on experience)
• Location: Daisy Chain Norton (site‑wide, including barn, placements and community settings)
• Contract: Permanent
• Posts available: 2