At a Glance
- Tasks: Support an autistic adult in their home and create personalised support plans.
- Company: Appletree Housing Support Service, a compassionate and inclusive community.
- Benefits: Starting pay of £14.46 per hour, 30 days holiday, and comprehensive training.
- Other info: Flexible shifts available, including evenings and weekends, with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in someone's life while working in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Compassionate, collaborative, and eager to learn; UK driver's license preferred.
Starting at £14.46 per hour, rising to £14.68 at confirmed. Opportunity to progress to £15.16 at your own pace. (Inclusive of rural allowance) Full and Part Time Positions Available. Additional £107.60 for sleepovers worked.
About the role: Join our team at Appletree Housing Support Service, located near Auchterarder, where you’ll support an autistic adult in his own home. As an Autism Practitioner, you’ll help create personalised support plans, build relationships with the supported person, their family and other stakeholders, and work to support the person to lead a happy, healthy and fulfilling life. You’ll use a low arousal approach in your day-to-day practice. Appletree Community is a close-knit, rural environment which supports the low arousal approach you’ll adopt. With excellent indoor and outdoor space, the supported person enjoys time with their team and as part of their local community by participating in a range of activities.
About You:
- Compassionate, collaborative and committed to supporting someone to lead a happy, healthy and fulfilling life
- Enthusiastic about learning on the job
- Able to work a range of shifts which are agreed in advance as part of a rolling rota, including evenings, weekends and sleepovers
- Able to learn and apply a low arousal approach to your practice
- Able to take a trauma informed approach to support
- Share our organisational values
- A UK driver’s license is desirable
What We Offer: Scottish Autism values our team’s wellbeing and provides a competitive benefits package including:
- 30 days holiday pro rata (increases with service)
- Comprehensive training from day one, including funded SVQ support
- Non-contributory life assurance
- Workplace pension (employer matched up to 9%)
- Discount platform and Employee Assistance Program
Information Session: 7th August 2026 Interview Date: 12th August 2026 Register for our online information session to have your questions answered!
Valuing diversity and promoting equal opportunities is at the heart of our vision, mission and values. We encourage and welcome applications from people with lived experience of autism.
Please note this position is not in Dundee or Perth.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Autism Practitioners (Support Workers) in Auchterarder
✨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 Scottish Autism.
✨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 Scottish Autism!
✨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 Scottish Autism, 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 Scottish Autism 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 Auchterarder
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 Scottish Autism:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Scottish Autism! 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 Scottish Autism
✨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.
