At a Glance
- Tasks: Support autistic individuals to live fulfilling, independent lives and access community opportunities.
- Company: Join Scottish Autism, a leading charity making a real difference in people's lives.
- Benefits: Starting pay of £13.45 per hour, increasing with experience, plus 30 days holiday and comprehensive training.
- Other info: Flexible hours, including weekends; ideal for those passionate about inclusion and support.
- Why this job: Make a meaningful impact while developing your skills in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in social care is a plus, but a willingness to learn is essential.
The predicted salary is between 13.45 - 13.45 £ per hour.
Pay Scale: 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. Full-time & Part-time positions available. Please note that we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for these roles.
Due to the needs of this service, the post holder must be female. Looking for a career that truly makes a difference? Join our South West 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. The supported individuals within this service love being out in the car, going on local walks and doing arts and crafts. At Scottish Autism, 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.
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, and 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. Due to the nature of this role, there is a genuine occupational requirement for the post holder to be female.
Scottish Autism offers you a comprehensive benefits package for our colleagues, including:
- 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.
These posts are subject to a PVG Disclosure check. All new employees must have applied to register with the Scottish Social Services Council within three months of starting in post and be registered within six months. Scottish Autism cover all the costs of PVG membership and SSSC Registration for employees. Full UK Driving Licence Preferred. Any questions, please contact Gillian Smith. Closing Date: 27th July 2026. We value diversity and welcome applications from those with lived experience of autism.
Locations
Autism Practitioner in Lanark, Scotland employer: Scottish Autism
Scottish Autism is an exceptional employer dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the lives of autistic individuals across Lanark, Biggar & Carluke. With a strong emphasis on employee development through extensive autism-specific training and a supportive work culture that champions collaboration and compassion, we offer a rewarding environment where you can grow your career as an Autism Practitioner. Our comprehensive benefits package, including generous holiday entitlement and a non-contributory life assurance scheme, ensures that our staff feel valued and supported in their vital roles.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Autism Practitioner in Lanark, Scotland
✨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 Practitioner in Lanark, Scotland
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.
