We are seeking Support Workers to join our team. You will work alongside people who use our services, supporting in a range of activities, including developing independence in daily living, accessing work/education and leisure activities.

At Autism Initiatives we work alongside people with autism, providing specialist services tailored to each individual. Our Values, shown below, underpin every aspect of the organisation’s culture and activities in NI:

Autism-Focused, Respect, Excellence, Empowerment, Collaboration, Commitment to Change and Rights-based.

We have the following shifts available in our West Belfast services:

• Long days (7.00am-10.00pm).
• AM shifts (7.00am-11.00am/ 7.00am-3.00pm)
• PM shifts (3.00pm-10.00pm)
• Weekend shifts available (Sat/Sun).
• Night duty available (9.00pm-7.00am).
• Sleepover available (10.00pm-7.00am).

Rotas are issued four weeks in advance.  Please state your availability and shift preference(s) on your application form.

Given the nature of the role, these positions are subject to an enhanced Access NI check for the successful applicants. The cost of which will be met by the organisation.

You will enjoy an enhanced range of benefits designed to reward the outstanding support that staff provide.  Some of these benefits start immediately, whilst others are awarded at later dates in recognition of loyalty, dedication and long service.

• Competitive salary.
• Employer pension scheme.
• Enhanced company sick pay.
• Enhanced maternity pay.
• Access NI paid.
• NISCC fee paid after two years service.
• Generous paid annual leave.
• Incremental increases to annual leave.
• Paid bank and public holidays.
• Birthday leave.
• Option to buy and sell annual leave.
• Long service awards.
• Monthly staff cash prize draw.
• Blue light discount card.
• Employee Refer a Friend initiative.
• Free Autism specific training.
• Comprehensive induction training.
• On the job learning.
• Buddy/mentor for new staff.
• Funded QCF development opportunities.
• Continuous learning & development opportunities.
• Line management support structure.
• Regular 121 meetings.
• Annual Performance review.
• Culture of recognition.
• 24/7 employee assistance programme (confidential counselling helpline) available from day one of employment. Offering free support from experts on a wide range of subjects from childcare and probate, to managing money and work life balance.
• Medicash health scheme, subject to eligibility.
• Menopause support line as part of Medicash scheme.
• Career break policy.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Compassionate & Bereavement leave.
• Wagestream financial planning and support App – enables you to access money earned before pay day, set up savings and more.

Essential Criteria:

• Working, voluntary or personal knowledge of providing care and/or support.
• Be flexible to work on a rota basis that includes unsocial hours and weekends.
• NISCC registered or apply to register on appointment.

Desirable Criteria:

• Full UK Driving Licence for a manual vehicle held for at least one year.
• Must be able to drive a manual vehicle as there is a requirement to drive the people we support in their own vehicles.

Autism Initiatives are an Equal Opportunities employer.  We are committed to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in employment and service delivery.

Registered Charity No: XR72211, NIC 104641.

Currently we are unable to provide Sponsorship or take over Sponsorship of an employment Visa.

Benefits of working with us

In addition to excellent rates of pay, a contributory pension and generous holiday entitlements, you will enjoy an enhanced range of benefits designed to reward the outstanding support that staff provide. Some of these benefits start immediately, whilst others are awarded at later dates in recognition of loyalty, dedication and long service.

Full details of all staff benefits are available on our intranet once you start working with us as benefits may vary from role to role, but here’s a brief run-down of a few of them:

• Monthly staff cash prize draw
• Your birthday off work every year
• Medicash health scheme, providing cash towards medical costs, gym discounts and more
• Employee Assistance Programme – free support from experts on a wide range of subjects from childcare and probate, to managing money and work life balance.
• Additional paid holidays after 2 years’ service
• Extra paid holidays in milestone service years
• Refer a friend scheme with cash rewards for helping us to find more great team members
• Cycle to Work scheme

Before you start

Our application form will ask you for information so it’s a great idea to have these to hand before you get started:

Please ensure that you have the right to work in the UK or a valid working permit as unfortunately we do not provide sponsorship.

• Your previous employment: we will require confirmation of the past five years of your employment history.
• Relevant qualifications to the role (for some roles qualifications are not essential as full training will be given.  Please check the essential criteria).
• A minimum of two reference contact details, one of which must be your current/most recent employer.

For further Tips on completing your application, please refer to our download  on the “Apply Now” section.

If you’re struggling to complete the form, have any questions, or need support simply click on our need help button, pop in a few contact details, and one of recruitment team will be in touch.

Apply now

Support Worker Job Description