Autism family support officer

Autism Family Support Officer – Part Time 25 Hours Per Week

We have an excellent opportunity available for an Autism Family Support Officer to join our dedicated Children’s Services Team at Wokingham Borough Council, on a permanent, part time basis (25 hours per week).

As an Autism Family Support officer, you will play a pivotal role in offering practical help and emotional support to families experiencing short or long-term difficulties. This role will work collaboratively with children, young people, families, and professionals across education, health, and social care to support holistic, autism-informed approaches and promote consistent strategies across all settings.

We are seeking a compassionate, knowledgeable, and motivated individual for this rewarding opportunity, which will make a meaningful impact on the lives of autistic children and young people, and their families within the borough.

Benefits:

Not only is this an excellent opportunity, but it’s a fantastic time to join our team. You will receive an extensive range of employee benefits including:

⭐ A generous annual leave entitlement of 27 days pro-rata (rising to 32 days pro-rata after 5 years continued local government service), plus Bank Holidays 

⭐ An excellent local government pension scheme

⭐ An employee assistance programme including 24/7 wellbeing helpline

⭐ A range of local & lifestyle discounts

⭐ Use of a free onsite gym (located at Shute End office)

⭐ Salary sacrifice car & cycle to work schemes

⭐ And much more!

Key responsibilities:

• Working directly with families, offering practical help, signposting and supporting families to understand and implement an autism approach within their family through the delivery of the National Autistic Society EarlyBird suite of parent programmes as a NAS licenced trainer.
• Supporting the delivery of a variety of workshops to parents, carers, members of the public, other agencies and organisations.
• Holding a caseload and working directly with children, young people and their families in their homes or other venues.
• Working in partnership with all professionals, practitioners and support agencies towards positive outcomes for autistic children, young people and families which may include regular attendance at meetings.
• Receive and deal with customer queries in relation to autism effectively, eg sharing information, advice, strategies and signposting.

Candidate requirements:

• Minimum L3 qualification in childcare, social care, youth work, health, education or a relevant professional qualification
• Educated to GCSE level including an English language qualification
• Substantial experience (at least two years) in either a paid or voluntary capacity working with children, young people and their families.
• Knowledge and understanding of autism.
• Experience of relating to adults, children and young people positively - both as individuals and in groups, encouraging participation, involvement, empowerment and achievement.
• Ability to travel around the Wokingham Borough and sometimes further afield.
• Able to work flexibly as the service requires and will include some evenings and weekends.
• The role is hybrid, based at the Woodley airfield centre and home working, however, candidates should be willing to also work in a variety of settings including WBC offices, families’ homes, schools, local community.
• An enhanced DBS check.

Our Area

Wokingham Borough is set in the heart of Berkshire with excellent transport links to Reading and central London. Our area comprises of a vibrant and historical market town, attractive villages, and miles of beautiful countryside. 

We’re home to a range of high performing schools, a host of international businesses and an incredible community. The borough has a strong local economy with accelerated growth, a range of excellent public facilities and low levels of crime, offering an exceptional quality of life. 

If you’re interested in this exciting opportunity, click the link below and apply today!

Alternatively, for an informal discussion about the role please contact our team via email assist@wokingham.gov.uk

Closing date: Sunday 22^nd June 2025, 11pm

Interview date: TBC

Please be aware that we will be reviewing the applications we receive on a daily basis, and we reserve the right to close the advert early if suitable candidates are identified.

If your application is shortlisted for an interview, you will be required to provide proof of your right to work in the UK at that stage. Additionally, successful candidates must present proof upon receiving a job offer.

Please note that all offers are conditional and subject to the satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks.   

Wokingham Borough Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff, other workers and volunteers to share this commitment. All successful candidates for this role will be subject to Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks along with other relevant employment checks.

Wokingham is an equal opportunities employer.