At a Glance
- Tasks: Support autistic individuals to live fulfilling, independent lives and access community opportunities.
- Company: Join a compassionate team dedicated to inclusion and personal growth.
- Benefits: Starting salary of £13.45, increasing with experience, plus 30 days holiday and extensive training.
- Other info: Flexible hours, including weekends, with opportunities for career progression.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your skills in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: No prior experience needed; just a passion for helping others and a willingness to learn.
The predicted salary is between 13.45 - 13.45 £ per hour.
Reference No: LO399
Location: Lanark & surrounding areas
Hours: Full Time & Part Time
Salary: Starting at £13.45 per hour, rising to £13.67 after engagement. Opportunity to progress to £14.15 at your own pace. Sleepover rate – £107.60
Closing Date: Friday 10th July 2026
Why should you apply for this role: Exciting projects and challenges
Job Overview
Join our Southwest team who currently support over 30 autistic people across Lanark, Biggar & Carluke to live fulfilling, independent lives. From supporting individuals to access work placements and voluntary projects to supporting meaningful social opportunities, no two days are the same. Be part of a team that encourages potential, champions inclusion, and supports autistic people to access the opportunities that matter most to them.
We acknowledge the specialist support our staff provide to autistic individuals, therefore those doing support work are known as Autism Practitioners. We continuously improve to ensure all our Autism Practitioners are supported and have the skills to deliver a quality service. This post is a good opportunity for those with generic support worker experience to specialise.
As an Autism Practitioner, experience of working within social care is desirable but not essential as we are seeking to appoint people who are willing to learn and develop into the role and share our organisational values: Collaboration, Compassion, Change Makers, & Contribution. We will support you to do this by offering an extensive autism specific training programme.
Benefits include:
- 30 days holiday pro rata (which increases with your length of service)
- Sector leading training from day one, including fully funded support to complete your necessary SVQ
- Non-contributory life assurance scheme
- Workplace Pension (Employer matched up to 9%)
- Discount platform
- Employee Assistance Programme
Main Duties & Responsibilities
Key Tasks
Autism Practitioners work as part of a team to:
- Develop, review and implement personalised support plans for the supported individual
- Build positive relationships with the supported individual
- Work in partnership with the supported individual, and their support network
- Work with stakeholders to ensure the supported individual's life goals and aspirations are at the centre of their support
On a day-to-day basis, Autism Practitioners enable supported individuals:
- To take part in their chosen activities, and access local community opportunities
- To help maintain their tenancies and support them to make the decisions that matter to them
- To promote independence and active citizenship, community inclusion, support with household chores. Required support may include personal care
As part of your role, you will be required to undertake shift work, including weekends and evenings, so flexibility towards working hours is key. We encourage and welcome applications from people with lived experience of autism.
Employer Expectations
Skills/Knowledge/Experience
- Engaging, and able to inspire joy & happiness
- Resilient, with an understanding of transactional stress and reflective practice
- Committed to creating stress-free, low-arousal environments
- Willing to work as part of a close-knit, supportive team, including partnering with families and other professionals
- Motivated to be a part of someone's life, actively looking for ways to support them to reach their goals and aspirations
- Interested in supporting holistic wellbeing, including getting outdoors & close to nature
- Able to demonstrate a commitment to continuous learning to enhance the lives of those we support
- An understanding of wellbeing and human development
- Experience or understanding of different communication styles and strategies
- An awareness of developmental stages and how to support them
- Familiarity with low-arousal approaches
- Knowledge of stress and emotional regulation support
- Previous work with community-based settings (e.g. local scout halls or activity groups)
Qualifications/Tickets/Licences Required
- Full UK driving licence (preferred)
- To maintain mandatory training requirements and develop knowledge of autism in order to demonstrate continuous professional development
- Develop understanding of and implement low arousal support, following Studio 3 principles, focusing on reducing restraint and achieving our aspiration of eliminating restraint
- To be registered with SSSC or equivalent and hold or be willing to work towards a relevant qualification
- To be a member of the Protecting Vulnerable Groups scheme (PVG)
Autism Practitioners (Support Workers) in Cumbernauld employer: Routes To Work South Registered company in Scotland under SC217367 with charitable status under
Join our dedicated team in Lanark, where we empower autistic individuals to lead fulfilling lives through tailored support and community engagement. As an Autism Practitioner, you'll benefit from sector-leading training, a supportive work culture that values collaboration and compassion, and opportunities for personal growth, all while making a meaningful impact in the lives of those you support. With competitive pay and generous holiday allowances, this role offers not just a job, but a rewarding career path in a nurturing environment.
Contact Details:
Routes To Work South Registered company in Scotland under SC217367 with charitable status under Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Autism Practitioners (Support Workers) in Cumbernauld
✨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 Routes To Work South Registered company in Scotland under SC217367 with charitable status under.
✨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 Routes To Work South Registered company in Scotland under SC217367 with charitable status under!
✨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 Routes To Work South Registered company in Scotland under SC217367 with charitable status under, 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 Routes To Work South Registered company in Scotland under SC217367 with charitable status under 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 Autism Practitioners (Support Workers) in Cumbernauld
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 Routes To Work South Registered company in Scotland under SC217367 with charitable status under:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Routes To Work South Registered company in Scotland under SC217367 with charitable status under! 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 Routes To Work South Registered company in Scotland under SC217367 with charitable status under
✨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.
