At a Glance
- Tasks: Support autistic individuals to live fulfilling, independent lives through personalised care.
- Company: Join Scottish Autism, a leader in supporting autistic people with compassion and collaboration.
- Benefits: Starting pay of £13.45 per hour, 30 days holiday, and sector-leading training.
- Other info: Flexible hours, including weekends, with excellent career progression opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives 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.
Contract: Full Time & Part Time positions available.
Visa Sponsorship: We are unable to offer visa sponsorship for these roles.
Gender Requirement: Due to the nature of this role, the post holder must be female.
About the Role: 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. We seek 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 with an extensive autism-specific training programme.
Responsibilities:
- 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 remain at the centre of their support.
- Enable supported individuals to take part in chosen activities and access local community opportunities.
- Help maintain their tenancies and support them to make the decisions that matter to them.
- Promote independence and active citizenship, community inclusion, support with household chores and personal care if required.
- Commit to shift work, including weekends and evenings, ensuring flexibility towards working hours.
Qualifications: Experience working within social care is desirable but not essential. A willingness to learn and develop in the role, and alignment with our values (Collaboration, Compassion, Change Makers, & Contribution), are essential.
Additional Information: Full UK Driving Licence preferred. PVG Disclosure check required. New employees must register with the Scottish Social Services Council within 6 months and the PVG membership cost is covered by Scottish Autism. We encourage and welcome applications from people with lived experience of autism.
Benefits: 30 days holiday pro rata (increases with 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%). Employee Assistance Programme.
Contact: For any questions please contact: gillian.smith@scottishautism.org
Closing Date: 27th July 2026
Equal Opportunities: We value diversity and welcome applications from those with lived experience of autism.
Autism Practitioner - Lanark, Biggar & Carluke 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 focus on employee development through sector-leading training and a supportive work culture that values collaboration and compassion, we empower our Autism Practitioners to thrive in their roles. Enjoy generous benefits including 30 days holiday pro rata, a workplace pension, and a commitment to fostering an inclusive environment where every team member can grow and contribute to positive change.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Autism Practitioner - Lanark, Biggar & Carluke
✨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 - Lanark, Biggar & Carluke
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.
