At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dedicated team to support autistic individuals and ensure high-quality service delivery.
- Company: Join Scottish Autism, a charity committed to making a real difference in people's lives.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, 32 days holiday, sector-leading training, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Flexible shifts, ongoing training, and opportunities for career progression.
- Why this job: Make a lasting impact while developing your leadership skills in a rewarding social care role.
- Qualifications: Experience in social care management and a passion for supporting autistic people.
The predicted salary is between 34939 - 37434 £ per year.
Full-Time Position Available – 37 hours per week
Pay Scale: Starting at £34,939 rising to £35,505 after engagement. Opportunity to progress to £37,434 at your own pace.
Reference: SA1175
Are you looking for your next step in your social care career? Are you a dynamic leader who thrives on building strong relationships, adapting to new challenges, and bringing out the best in others? If you're passionate about coaching and developing teams to grow and succeed together, this is your opportunity to lead with purpose and make a lasting impact.
Join our friendly and dedicated team as a Senior Autism Practitioner in Lanark within our South West Area Services. Across our South West Area Services, we support 48 autistic adults across several welcoming locations. Our care is tailored to each person’s needs, including Housing Support, residential care, and transitional assessment services. You’ll be joining a warm, dedicated team that’s passionate about making a real difference and always looking for ways to grow and improve.
About the Role
As the Senior Autism Practitioner, you’ll ensure the successful delivery of each person’s service across our South West Services. Leading a team of dedicated Autism Practitioners, you will inspire them to provide a consistent, high-quality support service to autistic people. You will coach and mentor them to ensure they perform to the best of their ability. Using your outstanding communication skills, you’ll collaborate closely with families, agencies and multi-disciplinary teams to implement and further develop support plans designed to help individuals succeed in their day-to-day lives. Actively involving yourself in the recruitment process, you will always be on the lookout for talented individuals who could make the team even stronger. This is a superb opportunity to gather experience of a different role, to undertake additional training and lead a hard-working team to success.
About You
To be considered for this diverse role, you must have:
- Experience gained within a supervisory and/or management role within social care
- Demonstrated experience in supporting autistic people
- Experience coaching and mentoring colleagues
- A health and social care qualification, or the willingness to gain an SVQ Level 4 in health & social care and Leadership and Management for Care Services (LMC) qualification provided by the organisation
- A good level of IT literacy, including MS Word and Excel
- A full UK driving licence
- Able to work a variety of shifts, including evenings and weekends, and provide regular on-call support. This can be discussed further at interview.
Scottish Autism offers you:
We are proud to offer a comprehensive colleague benefits package which includes a competitive salary and a personalised learning pathway for all. We keep it simple with 3 pay points which you progress at your own pace as you develop.
- 32 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
This post is subject to a PVG Disclosure check. All new employees must have applied to register with the Scottish Social Services Council within 3 months of starting in post and be registered within 6 months. Scottish Autism cover all the costs of PVG membership and SSSC Registration for employees.
Valuing diversity and promoting equal opportunities is at the heart of our vision, mission, and values.
Closing Date – 11th June 2026
Registered charity number is SC.
Senior Practitioner / Team Leader in Scotland employer: Scottish Autism
Scottish Autism is an exceptional employer that prioritises the growth and well-being of its employees while making a meaningful impact in the lives of autistic individuals. With a supportive work culture, comprehensive training opportunities, and a competitive benefits package including generous holiday allowance and a strong pension scheme, you will thrive in a role that values diversity and encourages personal development. Join our dedicated team in Lanark, where your leadership can inspire change and foster a collaborative environment focused on excellence in social care.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Practitioner / Team Leader in Scotland
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the social care sector, especially those who work with autistic individuals. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to leadership and team dynamics. We recommend role-playing with a friend or using online resources to boost your confidence and refine your answers.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your passion for coaching and mentoring during interviews. Share specific examples of how you've helped colleagues grow in their roles. This will highlight your suitability for the Senior Autism Practitioner position.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, you’ll find all the details about the role and our fantastic benefits package there.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Practitioner / Team Leader in Scotland
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your passion for supporting autistic individuals shine through. We want to see how your experiences and values align with our mission of making a real difference in people's lives.
Tailor Your CV:Make sure to tailor your CV to highlight your supervisory and management experience in social care. We’re looking for specific examples that demonstrate your ability to lead and inspire a team, so don’t hold back!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application clear and to the point. Use straightforward language and structure your thoughts logically. We appreciate a well-organised application that makes it easy for us to see your qualifications and fit for the role.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this fantastic opportunity. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Scottish Autism
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, make sure you’re well-versed in the specifics of the role. Familiarise yourself with the responsibilities of a Senior Autism Practitioner and think about how your past experiences align with these. This will help you demonstrate your understanding of the position and show that you're genuinely interested.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Team Leader, your ability to inspire and mentor others is crucial. Prepare examples from your previous roles where you've successfully led a team or coached colleagues. Highlight how you’ve helped others grow and how you can bring that same energy to this new role.
✨Communicate Clearly
Outstanding communication skills are key in this position. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely. Be ready to discuss how you would collaborate with families and multi-disciplinary teams, as well as how you would handle challenging situations with empathy and professionalism.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t forget to ask questions! This shows your interest in the role and the organisation. Consider asking about the team dynamics, opportunities for professional development, or how success is measured in this position. It’s a great way to engage and leave a lasting impression.
