EOTAS Support Worker

POST:
Education Other Than At School (EOTAS) Specialist Support Worker

LOCATION:

Wandsworth
, Lewisham - with the possibility of working in other areas of London.

HOURS:

Full time (Mon-Fri 9-3:30) term time only

Duration: 1 academic year fixed term
, with the possibility of extension.

Reports to:

EOTAS Coordinator

Direct Reports:
None

Since 1997 when we started as a small playgroup set up by parents dismayed at the lack of provision for their autistic children, RfA has grown into a major deliverer of services and support in London and the West Midlands with a turnover of around £2.5m per year. Our mission is to support and enable autistic people to live happy and fulfilling lives.

We want to change society’s attitude to autism whilst also providing essential services and enriching opportunities to autistic people. We are a values-driven organisation which employs values-driven people who want to make a difference. Our values are:
Inclusion, Creativity, Compassion, Courageousness and Expert. You will play a vital part in ensuring that we can resource and sustain this amazing work.

All of our services across children and adults and parent/carers, mirror the wider organisational mission of providing safe, fun and meaningful support that enables personal development. We provide this support by ensuring our staff are skilfully trained, meet the highest safeguarding expectations and are encouraged to develop and upskill throughout their career with Resources for Autism.

We are seeking compassionate, trauma-informed Specialist Support Workers with extensive experience supporting Autistic children and young people. You will work on a 1:1 or 2:1 basis with children with varying levels of need, within a bespoke Education Other Than At School (EOTAS) package, helping them re-engage with learning through a highly personalised and flexible, child / interest-led approach.

Note:

Annual leave is paid as part of the salary allowance so no annual leave can be taken during the specified term time working hours.

Deliver educational and life skills activities based on a tailored timetable.

Build a trusting, respectful relationship with the young people using low-demand, flexible approaches and strategies we know are effective with autistic individuals.

Support the development of independence and confidence in home and community settings.

Collaborate with a small team, communicating effectively and being flexible.

Maintain clear communication with the EOTAS manager, Behaviour Support and Lead Teacher.

Contribute to regular reviews and progress updates.

Keep daily logs and complete target tracking on the Individual Learning Plan (ILP) liaising with the Lead Teacher when needed.

Uphold and adhere to the values of RfA at all times

Ensure there is always compliance with RfA’s safeguarding policies and procedures

All staff are expected to promote equality in the workplace and in our services

Undertake any other duties asked of you that are commensurate with your grade

• Proven experience working with autistic children with varying needs and who could display distressed behaviours
• Understanding of and experience in supporting children with a PDA profile of autism
• Deep understanding of trauma-informed practice and low-arousal approaches.
• Ability to work flexibly and creatively in a non-traditional educational setting.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills.
• Commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.
• Experience supporting children in EOTAS or alternative provision settings.

• Have Physical Intervention training (for example Team Teach)
• Relevant qualifications in education, psychology, or therapeutic disciplines.
• Familiarity with EHCP processes and person-centred planning.
• Experience supporting children who have been out of mainstream education for a significant period of time

• Excellent communication skills (written and verbal) adaptable to different populations including: colleagues, external professionals, service users, families, volunteers, donors
• Strong organisational and prioritisation skills
• Good understanding of Safeguarding
• IT skills: proficient with Office 365
• Self-starter and able to work independently, using own initiative
• Non-judgemental, compassionate

You will have access to confidential information concerning families and other service users and will be required to maintain…