Job Coach, Education ​/ Teaching, Youth Development

Join to apply for the Job Coach role at Ambitious about Autism

Are you passionate about making a real difference in the lives of autistic young people? Do you want to be part of a groundbreaking programme that helps students transition from education to meaningful employment? If so, we want to hear from you!

St John's College is excited to announce an opportunity for a Job Coach with Follow on Job Coach responsibility to join our team, delivering transformative educational experiences for students on our Supported Internship (SI) programmes. These programmes follow the DFN Project SEARCH model, a globally recognised framework that supports young people with autism to gain valuable work skills and experience.

You’ll be working as part of our St John's College team, with the exciting opportunity to shape and deliver our Supported Internship Programme in collaboration with host employer Chartwells (Compass Group) at the University of Sussex site in Falmer, just outside Brighton and Hove. Chartwells is the leading provider of catering and support services to schools, colleges, and universities. Through this partnership you will support students on their journey to independence and employment.

As a Job Coach, you will play a pivotal role in our interns' journey towards paid employment and independent living. You’ll have the chance to work closely with our interns, providing on-the-job coaching and implementing improvement strategies tailored to their unique needs and aspirations.

You will also provide follow‑on Job Coach support for graduates of the St John's College supported internship. This includes supporting all graduates with job search, application and interview preparation, and the provision of one‑to‑one job coaching and employer support to enable them to secure and maintain employment and to maximise their independence, competence and integration in the workplace.

What makes this opportunity truly exciting is our young people have a wide range of opportunities to learn and develop, each internship is crafted to match the individual's talents and interests, fostering a supportive environment where growth and achievement are celebrated.

At Ambitious about Autism, we’re committed to making a positive impact on the lives autistic young people. You’ll be joining a dynamic, supportive team, and you’ll have the opportunity to make a tangible difference in shaping the futures of our students.

This is a fantastic opportunity to be part of a cutting‑edge programme that has already made a real impact at other prestigious locations such as The Whittington Hospital and Chessington World of Adventures Resort (part of our Ambitious College London offer). As part of St. John’s College, you will also benefit from a well‑established, supportive academic environment.

If you’re ready to contribute to the success of our Supported Internship Programme and empower young people with autism to achieve their career goals, we encourage you to apply.

Advert closes: 8th January 2026

Shortlist: 9th January 2026

Interview: 15th January 2026

This is a fixed‑term position until September 2026, with the potential to transition into a permanent role—either as a Job Coach or Follow‑On Job Coach—at that time.

Ambitious about Autism is committed to fostering equity, diversity, and inclusion at every level of our organisation. We warmly welcome applications from all qualified candidates, valuing the diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives they bring. We encourage applications from individuals regardless of race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or parental status, disability, or age.

Our recruitment process promotes equal opportunities, and we are committed to providing reasonable adjustments for candidates with disabilities or additional needs throughout the recruitment process. Please contact our Recruitment Team for accommodations. We recognize disability as a physical or mental impairment that significantly and long‑term affects a person's ability to perform…