At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children with autism in community activities and help them achieve their goals.
- Company: Positive Futures, a caring organisation transforming lives across Northern Ireland.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, vacation time, employee development, and wellbeing support.
- Other info: Flexible hours and opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in young people's lives while having fun and being part of a supportive team.
- Qualifications: Experience with children and a valid UK driving licence; kindness and patience are key.
The predicted salary is between 13.12 - 13.12 £ per hour.
Location: Derry/Londonderry
Hours: Part - Time (14 hours per week)
Positive Futures is positive about people. We transform people's lives every day. We support people who have a learning disability, acquired brain injury and autism. The bottom line is this: wonderful things can and do happen when people get the right support, at the right time, from the right people.
What does an Autism Outreach Worker do? Put simply, your job is to support children and young people with autism to take part in activities which meet their needs and aspirations. To help you to do this, you will:
- Receive a full and paid induction
- Spend time getting to know the children and young people you are supporting
- Learn how best to support them
- Work as part of a dedicated team to provide support
You don't need formal qualifications, but you do need to be kind, patient, and have a sense of fun.
About this role: Positive Futures Autism Outreach Service (AOS) seeks to offer support to families who have a child or young person who has autism. Much of this is practical support to enable the child or young person to take part in social activities within their community e.g. after school clubs, youth groups, crafts and sports; however, we also work hard to help each to build sustainable relationships with their peers. Additionally, we offer advice and support to enable parents to connect with other supports available to them and to access key information they need, as well as provide practical support to siblings.
Main Responsibilities:
- Liaise with families of children and young people supported to co-ordinate, plan and evaluate activities.
- Assist in the process of compiling and reviewing Risk Assessments concerning children and young people, activities and venues, and Person-Centred Plans.
- Complete all records on an ongoing basis e.g. Learning Logs, Risk Assessments relating to venues and people supported, team meeting minutes etc.
- Promote and encourage the involvement of the people we support in the everyday work of our services and the wider Organisation.
- Support children with a diagnosis of Autism aged 4-18 years old across the Derry/Londonderry area. You will have a caseload of 8 children at any time. Your role will be to complete an initial assessment, plan activities in the community, support the young person to take part in these, set goals and evaluate how these are being met and feedback to Social Workers.
- There may be occasions when the Job Holder is required to fulfil some duties outside of normal working hours and flexibility is therefore essential.
Required Criteria:
- Experience of planning, organising and implementing activities for children and young people.
- Six months' experience of supporting children/young people with a learning disability, acquired brain injury or autism in recreational activities in a paid or voluntary capacity.
- Full valid UK Driving Licence to fulfil the needs of the role.
About The Company: Founded in 1995, Positive Futures has spent 30 years supporting people with learning disabilities, acquired brain injury and autism to live full, meaningful lives as valued members of their communities across Northern Ireland. At Positive Futures, we foster a culture of respect, innovation and empowerment. We believe in putting people first - both those we support and our staff. We create environments where colleagues feel valued, where ideas for improvement are welcomed, and where continuous learning is encouraged. We support staff to grow professionally and personally, and we emphasise collaboration, listening and trust. Working with us means being part of a team that genuinely cares, is proactive in shaping futures and embraces the possibility in every situation.
Company Culture:
- People First: Our people are at the heart of everything we do.
- Opportunities: We seek out opportunities that enrich lives and empower people.
- Sustainability: We strive for positive social, economic and environmental benefits for now and in the future.
- Innovation: We embrace creativity and continuous learning to reimagine and refine our unique person-centred support.
- Tenacious: We don't give up - we believe in making the impossible, possible.
- Inclusion: Our staff and people we support are our strength, we listen and learn together.
- Value for Money: Delivering impactful, life-changing results with efficiency and integrity.
- Expertise: We look beyond limitations in our pursuit of excellence.
Company Benefits: Our staff and people we support are our strength and our people are at the heart of everything we do. Working at Positive Futures means doing work that matters - and being supported by people who genuinely care about your growth and wellbeing. We want you to feel valued, encouraged and set up to thrive, both in and outside of your role. That's why our benefits are built around one simple idea: when you're supported, you can make an even bigger difference to the people we support.
- Vacation
- Paid time off
- Paid sick days
- Retirement plan and/or pension
- Employee development programs
- Sabbatical leave
- Referral bonus
- Competitive salary
- Employee Assistance Scheme
- Wellbeing Scheme
- Blue Light Card
- Social Opportunities
- Annual performance review
- On the job learning
- Progression opportunities
- Access to Health & Wellbeing app
- Bereavement leave
Salary: £12.71 - £13.12 per hour
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Autism Outreach Worker in Londonderry County Borough
✨Get Involved in Community Events
Dive headfirst into community events and social work fairs in your area. These are great opportunities to connect with potential employers like Positive Futures, grab some insider info, and showcase your passion for social work. Plus, meeting people face-to-face can really make you stand out!
✨Join Social Work Networks
Tap into social work networks and online communities, like local charities and organisations. Engaging in discussions or volunteering can help you build a strong reputation and could lead to part-time roles just like the one at Positive Futures. The connections you make could be the key to landing your next opportunity!
✨Make Your Passion Shine
When approaching part-time roles, be sure to highlight your passion for social issues in conversations and informal chats. Bring your experiences to life through storytelling – this can resonate well with organisations looking for someone who genuinely cares about making a difference!
✨Keep an Eye on Local Job Boards
Part-time roles in social work might not always be advertised in the usual places. Keep checking local job boards or community centres for openings, and don't hesitate to apply directly through Positive Futures's website – we love seeing proactive candidates who take the initiative!
We think you need these skills to ace Autism Outreach Worker in Londonderry County Borough
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let your passion for social work shine through. Talk about why you're drawn to this field and how you've been involved in community service or support roles. We want to see your commitment and the heart you bring to the table!
Highlight Relevant Experience:Make sure to spotlight any hands-on experience you have! Whether it's internships, volunteering, or relevant coursework, detail how your past experiences relate to the role at Positive Futures. We love seeing candidates who have practical skills and a real understanding of social issues.
Certificates and Training Matter:If you've got any relevant certifications or training specific to social work (like safeguarding training or counselling qualifications), don’t forget to include these in your CV! These details can set you apart and show us you’re serious about your professional development.
Be Flexible with Your Availability:Since this is a part-time role, explain your availability clearly in your application. Let us know when you can start and how many hours you’re looking to work. Being upfront about your schedule will help us see how you fit into the team at Positive Futures.
How to prepare for a job interview at Positive Futures
✨Show Your Passion for Helping Others
In social work, it's all about your commitment to making a difference. Be ready to share specific experiences that highlight your passion for helping others, whether that's through volunteering, placements, or personal stories. We want to see that genuine drive during your chat with Positive Futures.
✨Know Your Social Work Theories
You might be quizzed on social work theories or models that inform your practice, like the person-in-environment approach. Brush up on these concepts and be prepared to discuss how you'd apply them in a practical setting. This could be a game changer in your interview for a Autism Outreach Worker at Positive Futures.
✨Flexibility and Availability are Key
As you're going for a part-time role, highlight your flexibility and how it would fit with the organisation's needs. Have examples ready that demonstrate your availability for various shifts or urgent situations—that's just gold for a social work role.
✨Prepare for a Situation-Based Discussion
Expect scenario-based questions where you'll need to demonstrate how you'd handle specific situations with clients or stakeholders. Think of a couple of real-life scenarios you've encountered and articulate your thought process. This will show Positive Futures that you're ready to hit the ground running in the Autism Outreach Worker role.
