Autism Family Support Worker

Job Introduction

Job Title: Autism Family Support Worker – 22.2 hours per week (3 days)

Closing date: 21st September 2026

Interviews: Thursday 1st October 2026

Do you want a challenging and rewarding career with real opportunities to change the lives of people in Northumberland, if you are dynamic, dedicated and enthusiastic then we want to hear from you. Who is Northumberland County Council (NCC)? Northumberland is world renowned as a visitor destination and is also the ideal location to strike a perfect work/life balance. What better way of enjoying the picturesque scenery and stunning coastline than to sample it on an everyday basis?

Our Vision is: “To make Northumberland a county which you regard as a great place to live, and in which you can access the things you enjoy, whilst having the opportunity to learn and thrive”

The Service

The Northumberland Autism Support Team is currently made up of qualified teachers, autism support workers and autism family support workers, who provide a range of advice, support and training for schools and settings throughout Northumberland. The day-to-day operational management and organisation of the team is the responsibility of the Autism Lead Practitioner who in turn reports to the High Incidence Needs Team (HINT) Manager. The service operates from a centralised base in County Hall, Morpeth, working peripatetically across Northumberland.

For further information about the Northumberland Autism Support Team please click here

The role

Northumberland County Council’s Autism Support Team is looking to appoint an additional Autism Family Support Worker. This post offers an exciting opportunity for highly motivated, enthusiastic, and creative individuals who are committed to providing a comprehensive family support service to families of children and young people known to the Autism Support Service, with and without a formal diagnosis of autism, on a need led basis.

The Autism Family Support Worker will work under the direction of the Specialist Teachers for Autism.

The role will involve a range of key duties such as:

· Working directly with families identified as requiring support following an assessment by a Specialist Autism Teacher.

· Liaise with specialist teachers, support workers, schools, and families to develop and deliver coordinated support plans across home and educational settings.

· Deliver planned interventions using a range of support methods, including modelling strategies and introducing resources for use within the home.

· Support families to access and navigate relevant services, providing information, advice, signposting, and coordination with partner agencies where required.

· Promote the active involvement of children, young people, and their families in decisions that affect them.

· Support successful school attendance and engagement by working collaboratively with schools and specialist staff to ensure a consistent approach.

· Deliver parenting support and facilitate specialist Autism-focused programmes, workshops, and groups, including Autism Family Drop-In sessions and programmes that promote independence and preparation for adulthood.

· Signpost families to additional services and community resources, including voluntary sector organisations and specialist support for siblings.

· Maintain an awareness of safeguarding thresholds, identifying and escalating concerns appropriately in line with safeguarding procedures.

· Maintain accurate and timely case management records in accordance with service, professional, and organisational standards.

· Organise and facilitate Autism Family Drop-In sessions across Northumberland.

· Develop and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues, Early Help Locality Teams, partner agencies, and community organisations.

For an informal discussion about the post, please contact Kim Graham, Autism Lead Practitioner Email: kim.graham@northumberland.gov.uk

Northumberland County Council’s (NCC) vision is ‘Land of Great Opportunities’, for current and future generations. We believe there is no better place to live and work.
For further information about working for NCC, please visit our website here.

Why choose us?
We have some outstanding benefits and perks to offer you, including:

• 26 days annual leave plus public/bank holidays, rising to 31 days after 5 years of service (pro rata for part-time employees)
• Automatic enrolment into the Local Government Pension Scheme
• A range of salary sacrifice schemes available
• Staff networks - run by staff, for staff - providing opportunities for peer networking, mutual support & staff development including Armed Forces, ASD, Carers, Enable Disability, Pride, Menopause, Mental Wellbeing, Racial Equality
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To see all our excellent benefits and perks, please click here.

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Facebook: NCC Jobs Group
LinkedIn: Northumberland County Council Jobs

Further information
For guidance on completing your application and for information about our Equality and Diversity principles, please see the attached guidance notes here.

We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We operate a guaranteed interview scheme for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria. If you have a disability and would prefer to apply in a different format, please see the alternative methods below. This information will be treated as confidential and will only be used to check that you meet the essential requirements of the post.

Alternative application format:
British Sign Language: northumberlandcc-cs.signvideo.net
For those with speech difficulties or hearing loss: Text relay service dial 018001 01670 623930

Although we advertise on North East Jobs, and other websites, your application process will be directed to our Tribepad system. Please note that all communication regarding your application for this post will be sent to the email address that you have registered on Tribepad, including your invite to interview if you are shortlisted. Please check your emails regularly, including Spam/Junk, after the closing dates for notifications.