Job description
Job title: Development Worker for Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders
Reports to: Cambridgeshire Multi Agency Autism Spectrum Disorders Consortium
through a partnership with Red2Green and the National Autistic Society
Location: Based at Red2Green in Swaffham Bulbeck, and working throughout
Cambridgeshire
Hours: 0.6 post (22.5 hours per week)
Salary: £22,862 (pro rata)
Initially funded for two years by Cambridgeshire County Council
1. Background
Many adults on the Autistic Spectrum, particularly those at the more able end of the
spectrum, do not receive appropriate support services because they do not meet the strict
eligibility criteria to qualify for learning disability or mental health services. In addition,
those that do often find that provision is inappropriate due to lack of expertise/awareness
on the part of service providers.
2. Key purpose of the post
To champion the cause and bring about positive change in outcomes for people who are
on the Autistic Spectrum. This includes focus on care and support, housing, transport,
goods and services, access to decision making processes, personal relationships,
education, training and employment opportunities for people and their carers.
Working with adults on the Autistic Spectrum and their carers to identify best practice and
highlight gaps in provision. They will lead work with commissioners to ensure that
appropriate services are set up to meet the needs of adults with AS/ASD many of whom
do not meet current eligibility criteria for services.
3. Principal accountabilities
To map and document existing resources across the County and work with partners,
especially third sector organisations, to identify and take forward opportunities for shared
developments, thereby maximising potential outcomes
4. Partnership working
• To identify adults/young adults on the Autistic Spectrum.
Job description, page 1 of 3
• To identify their needs, focusing particularly on those who do not have a diagnosis
of learning disability or mental health problem, and to determine whether they are
being met.
• Where there are gaps in provision, to make recommendations to local authorities
and service providers across the range of provision (health, education, social
services, employment etc) for the ways in which these needs can be met.
• Make recommendations as to how organisations pathways and protocols could be
improved to better meet the needs of people on the Autistic Spectrum.
This will include:
• Identifying providers of community care assessments for adults with AS/ASD,
independent of a diagnosis of a learning disability/mental health problem.
• Working with partners to establish a clear pathway for access to the appropriate
support services.
• Ensuring (and/or identifying) that there is expertise within Cambridgeshire or within
a reasonable travel distance, for obtaining a diagnosis of AS/ASD for adults.
• To ensure adequate and ongoing training in matters related to ASD issues in adults
is available to all service providers.
• The balance of work within the post is likely to be 75% work with service providers,
25% work with clients, establishing the broad principles of service provision for this
client group. Due to time constraints within this post, it will not be possible to
provide advocacy for individuals.
• Recording keeping and reporting – monthly reports, client and service provider files,
final report.
5. Participation and consultation
The construction and maintenance of consultation and participation structures to
strengthen representation of people who have ASD and their carers in service planning
and evaluation.
6. Funding applications
To research new funding opportunities and work with partners to put together bids for
grant funding. The post-holder may be responsible for holding budgets arising from
successful bidding.
7. Diversity
Promote diversity within all partner organisations and ensure discrimination is challenged.
8. Reporting
The Development Worker will report on a day-to-day basis to staff at Red2Green.
They would attend quarterly Steering Group meetings where they will report on their
findings and make recommendations for improvements/changes.
Job description, page 2 of 3
10. Monitoring and measures of success
Regular reporting is an essential part of the project and the final report, delivered at the
last Steering Group meeting of the project will provide pointers to further work needed.
Quarterly reports must be submitted to Steering Group meeting.
30 July 2009
Job description, page 3 of 3
