Working for Autism West MidlandsInformation for applicants

Autism is...

Seeing the world differently

Message from the Chief ExecutiveI’m delighted that you’re interested in our charity and hope that you find this leaflet useful and informative. We provide high quality care – recognised by the Care Quality Commission as good or excellent – and are always looking to improve what we do.

We rely on dedicated staff to care for our service users and to help and support their families. We also provide expert training to our own staff and others. Staff training is key to continually improving our services, and all our staff are given training in autism awareness, with additional levels of training depending on their role. Additionally, we provide mentoring support for new employees, and we aim to provide a supportive learning environment.

As a charity, our prime focus is on the people we care for. We don’t have shareholders, and all our spare money is used for our charitable purposes. We are part of the Autism Alliance – the major network of UK autism charities – and we share good practice with the other Alliance charities.

If you are interested in working with us – either as member of staff, or as a volunteer – please look for vacancies on our website (www.autismwestmidlands.org.uk) or contact us directly at hello@autismwestmidlands.org.uk. There are often vacancies for support workers, and there are real opportunities for progression within the organisation.

Best wishes,

Jonathan ShephardChief ExecutiveAutism West Midlands

General informationWe are the leading provider of specialist autism care and support in the West Midlands. We work with people, of all ages, across the autism spectrum, their families and carers to empower them to create a better future.

We also work alongside professionals at local, regional and national levels to raise autism awareness and help to develop high quality services based on real life experiences of people on the spectrum.

Our vision is a world where all people on the autism spectrum have the specialist care and support they need to lead fulfilling and rewarding lives.

At the heart of our core values is the belief that specialist-trained and dedicated staff with an understanding of autism will make a positive difference to people’s lives. Our staff do this by enabling people with autism to live independently, to be successful in finding and keeping a job and in equipping families to cope with their child’s individual autism needs.

Our commitmentsWe will:

•Provide the best person-centred support and increase the life skills and independence of people with autism

•Help people with autism towards employment and enable them to become part of their local community

•Champion the rights of people with autism and increase public awareness and understanding of autism

•Offer help and advice to the families of people with autism and provide specialist training on all aspects of autism

•Form strong and positive links with other charities and organisations

About AutismAutism is a life-long condition which affects a person’s understanding of the world and of other people. Everyone with autism is different and the autism spectrum covers a huge range. Some people with autism can lead independent lives. Others need lifelong care. In the middle, there are many thousands of people who need some degree of help. There are over half a million people in the UK with autism - that’s around 1 in 100. If you include their families, autism touches the lives of over two million people every day.

When people with autism are given the support they need, it can and does make an enormous difference to their lives.

HistoryOur history began in 1965 when groups of parents with children on the autism spectrum in Birmingham joined together to provide each other with support and encouragement. By the 1980s, parents were campaigning to raise funds to set up Oakfield House, our first residential home, opened by Princess Anne in 1988.

We now have six residential homes; supported living establishments, and provide support in the community to hundreds of people on the autism spectrum and their families. Parental support groups remain very important: we have large numbers of support groups throughout the West Midlands.

Where we operateWe operate across the West Midlands region. Some of our services are open to all regions, others are located in a particular area. The map below shows what services operate in each area.

SandwellHelplineInformation & adviceTrainingFamily outreachShort breaks serviceCriminal Justice Sector adviceDWP Work ChoiceAccess to workEmployment - specialist interventionsSt. Paul's supported livingOutreach / community care

DudleyHelplineInformation & adviceTrainingCriminal Justice Sector adviceDWP Work ChoiceAccess to workEmployment - specialist interventionsOutreach / community care

WalsallHelplineInformation & adviceTrainingCriminal Justice Sector adviceDWP Work ChoiceAccess to workEmployment - specialist interventionsOutreach / community care

StaffordshireHelplineInformation & adviceTrainingFamily outreachCriminal Justice Sector adviceEmployment - specialist interventionsOutreach / community care

Telford & WrekinHelplineInformation & adviceTrainingCriminal Justice Sector adviceEmployment - specialist interventionsOutreach / community care

ShropshireHelplineInformation & adviceTrainingFamily outreachShort breaks serviceCriminal Justice Sector adviceEmployment - specialist interventionsOutreach / community care

CoventryHelplineInformation & adviceTrainingCriminal Justice Sector adviceEmployment - specialist interventionsOutreach / community care

WarwickshireHelplineInformation & adviceTrainingFamily outreachCriminal Justice Sector adviceEmployment - specialist interventionsOutreach / community care

WorcestershireHelplineInformation & adviceTrainingCriminal Justice Sector adviceEmployment - specialist interventionsOutreach / community careResidential care - Upper Ford Lodge

SolihullHelplineInformation & adviceTrainingCriminal Justice Sector adviceAccess to workAdvance programme (14+)Outreach / community careResidential care - Gorse FarmResidential care - Wagstaff Way

BirminghamHelplineInformation & adviceTrainingCriminal Justice Sector adviceFamily outreachDWP Work ChoiceAdvance programme (14+)Access to workAdult support groupsStudent supportOutreach and community careResidential care - Oak�eld HouseResidential care - PoplarsResidential care - Pinetrees

HerefordshireHelplineInformation & adviceTrainingCriminal Justice Sector adviceEmployment - specialist interventionsOutreach / community care

Shropshire

Staffordshire

Herefordshire

Worcestershire

Warwickshire

Birmingham

Sandwell

Wolverhampton

Telford & Wrekin

Dudley

Solihull

Walsall

Coventry

Our activitiesResidential CareWe operate six services across the West Midlands which provide residential care to 54 adults with autism. These homes vary in size from small to large. Three are in south Birmingham, two in north Solihull and one in Droitwich. We believe in the potential of each person, so residents in all of these homes are encouraged to take part in leisure and education activities within the community.

Supported Living & OutreachWe offer support to people with autism in their own home, the family home, college or University or within the community. Each package of support is individually designed to meet the needs and goals of the person with autism. We support people with:

•Leisure and social activities•Attending health and social care appointments•Managing finances•Looking after the home•Staying safe • ...and much more.

We currently support a range of people across the autistic spectrum including those with learning disabilities, mental health difficulties or challenging behaviours.

Training & ConferencesWe’ve spent the last 25 years working with people with autism to improve their quality of life. As an organisation we have not only trained our own staff but also a range of external organisations including the police, probation services, teachers, healthcare professionals and businesses. We offer:

•Practical Autism Awareness training

•Bespoke courses•Consultancy and behaviour management support•Conferences•Specialist seminars and workshops

Family supportFamilies and carers of people with autism of all ages often need support too, especially around education, transition, rights, emotional needs, behavioural and social strategies and techniques. We offer:

•One to one practical support in the home•Short breaks•Family activity and training days•Free and subsidised workshops for families•Resource cafés •Autism awareness sessions

Information and adviceWe run an information helpline, staffed by people with substantial knowledge of autism. They provide factual information and signposting to other services. They also offer emotional support over the phone, listening with empathy to concerns. The helpline staff provide advice and support to parents, siblings and other family members and anyone with an interest in or query about autism. We also provide information sheets on aspects of autism including challenging behaviour, choosing a school, and sibling issues.

Employment supportWe operate a specialist advice service to help people with Asperger syndrome into employment - ASpire. We have more than ten years’ experience working with Jobcentres, employers and people with Asperger syndrome, and have achieved many successful outcomes. We adopt a person centred approach, embrace special interests and adapt to needs. We have supported people in work goals that have included everything from Administration to Zoo Keeping! We offer:

•DWP Work Choice

•Personal development programme - Future Possibilities•Job coaching•Workplace support•Autism Awareness training for employers

Student supportOur student programme offers support to students on the autism spectrum. This support is tailored to individual needs, and can be group or 1:1 delivered on campus.

Criminal Justice SectorPeople with autism can get into trouble with the police, when police intervention may not be needed. This can be due to a number of reasons potentially linked to their autistic behaviour. We are working with CJS agencies including the police, probation services and solicitors to raise awareness of autism and provide training to staff.

Staff benefits•Competitive salary•25 days annual leave plus bank holidays•Health Matters employee assistance programme•Simply Health cash plan•Comprehensive, ongoing training• Induction and workplace mentoring•Staff development and talent recognition

Further informationFor further information about Autism West Midlands you can:

•Visit our website at www.autismwestmidlands.org.uk•Email us on hello@autismwestmidlands.org.uk•Give us a call on 0121 450 7582