Skills Mentor/Support Worker

Job Title: Skills Mentor/Support Worker
Hours of Work: Full time 35 hours per week (09.30 to 16.45 hours Monday – Friday and one Thursday in every eight, late night until 20.00 hours). Part- time hours negotiable, but a minimum of 3 consistent days per week preferably.
Base: Shipley, but may be required to work at other sites.
Responsible to: Service Co-Ordinator
Salary: £11.64 p/h
Mission Statement:
Specialist Autism Services’ (SAS’) mission is to support people with Autism and Asperger Syndrome by the provision of health, education, training, sports, creative art and counselling activities, which promote their social inclusion, training opportunities and ultimately employability.
Context of Role
To enable our members (clients/service users) on a daily basis to access our provision of specialist services and to support, empower and encourage them to progress and gain skills that lead to increased independence. This demanding environment requires the commitment of its entire staff team to SAS’s mission statement and to conduct themselves in a professional, discreet yet sensitive and friendly manner. Skills Mentors are expected to support our members on a one to one basis with a view to encouraging them to work with in different group settings in periods of transition whilst in schools/college and to use community facilities as well as in the workshops and learning opportunities that are provided on the premises.
1. Main Duties
- To provide one to one support and assistance to members to enable and empower them.
- To assist the Senior Skills Mentor in the implementation of the Individual Learning Plans.
- To work as part of a team in developing good communication systems, maintaining effective relationships and promoting good practice within our Autism specific environment.
- To reinforce appropriate behaviours and be a role model and mentor to the individuals we support.
- Teach and further develop skills in communication, interaction and social behaviour.
- To analyse information and situations and take appropriate action seeking advice where necessary.
- Whilst encouraging self advocacy, advocate for the individuals at Specialist Autism Services where necessary, to speak up where and when they cannot and valuing individual rights at all times.
- To carry out the information as described in guidance material such as ‘Skills Mentor Expectations’.
- To provide written reports, carry out administrative tasks and update members’ files.
- To attend and contribute to meetings and discussions.
- To provide a positive, Autism specific environment which supports and meets the needs of our members.
- To constantly be aware of and be flexible in meeting the needs of our members.
- Create opportunities for members to gain new experiences or practice the skills they possess or are in the process of learning.
- To provide support to members outside of Specialist Autism Services’ premises including Schools, College trips to theme parks, social outings (including licensed premises, work placements, colleges or other leisure facilities), this also may include within the members own home.
- Enable members to maintain friendships and relationships with other people.
- Work within the staff team to identify and assess difficulties and behaviours and agree constructive solutions to problems in partnership with the members and other staff.
- To implement Specialist Autism Services’ policy and procedures to the highest possible standards.
- To learn and try to understand more about Autism Spectrum Conditions and operate within the organisation’s best practice approach for each individual.
2. Activities
- Assist in the preparation and implementation of a wide range of activities and workshops in both groups and 1:1 activities on a day to day basis as instructed by the senior staff.
- Support and engage Specialist Autism Services’ members in tasks and duties both on site and within external environments at all times, including breaks and lunch times.