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Vacancies and Volunteering

Current Vacancies

Adult Services Hertfordshire Vacancies

Volunteer in our services

Charity Shop Volunteers

Office Vacancies

Engagement and Co-Production Support Officer

Location: Bedfordshire, hybrid working

Salary: £21,000 FTE £11,200 actual plus 4% stakeholder pension. Maternity leave cover

Hours: 20 hours per week

Line Manager: Engagement and Co-Production Lead

Closing Date: 6:00pm 20th October 2022

This exciting role will work closely with the Engagement and Co-Production Lead to deliver projects raising awareness and acceptance of the challenges autistic adults face. Our passionate and knowledgeable team are on a mission to create systemic change within the public health and social care sectors – you will be an enthusiastic self-starter with a passion for helping people. The varied role will include creating marketing materials, supporting online and in person events and workshops, and listening to adults in our community talk about their experiences so we can help change things.
To apply please download an application form, guidance notes and the job description and person spec below. Return your completed form to recruitment@autismbeds.org.

Application Form
Application Form Guidance Notes
Job Description and Person Spec

All vacancies are subject to safer recruitment processes including a DBS check.

Children’s Services

Team Leader – Loads of Autistic Fun in Bedford

Part-Time: alternate Saturday mornings during term-time

£9.75 (plus £1.18 holiday pay) per hour

We are looking for motivated and enthusiastic Team Leader at our LOAF (Loads of Autistic Fun) family group to run activities for autistic children and their siblings.
The ideal candidate will have a NVQ Level 2/3 or equivalent in health, education, childcare, or social care. Good communication and organisational skills are essential.
Key aspects of the role involve planning sessions, managing a small staff team and ensuring all policies and procedures are adhered to. Working closely with the Children’s Services team you will continue to support excellent service delivery for our existing and future families.

  • Experience of Health/Education/Social Care Roles;
  • Experience of Managing Challenging Behaviour;
  • Knowledge of Autism;
  • Knowledge of Asperger’s Syndrome;
  • GCSEs or Equivalent Qualifications;
  • Health/Education/Social Care Qualifications (Level 3).

To apply please download an application form, guidance notes and the roles and responsibilities below. Return your completed form to recruitment@autismbeds.org.

Application Form
Application Form Guidance Notes
Team Leader Roles and Responsibilities

All vacancies are subject to safer recruitment processes including a DBS check.

Team Leader – Loads of Autistic Fun in Biggleswade

Part-Time: alternate Saturday mornings during term-time.

£9.75 (plus £1.18 holiday pay) per hour.

We are looking for motivated and enthusiastic Team Leader at our LOAF (Loads of Autistic Fun) family group to run activities for autistic children and their siblings.
The ideal candidate will have a NVQ Level 2/3 or equivalent in health, education, childcare, or social care. Good communication and organisational skills are essential.
Key aspects of the role involve planning sessions, managing a small staff team and ensuring all policies and procedures are adhered to. Working closely with the Children’s Services team you will continue to support excellent service delivery for our existing and future families.

  • Experience of Health/Education/Social Care Roles;
  • Experience of Managing Challenging Behaviour;
  • Knowledge of Autism;
  • Knowledge of Asperger’s Syndrome;
  • GCSEs or Equivalent Qualifications;
  • Health/Education/Social Care Qualifications (Level 3).

To apply please download an application form, guidance notes and the roles and responsibilities below. Return your completed form to recruitment@autismbeds.org.

Application Form
Application Form Guidance Notes
Team Leader Roles and Responsibilities

All vacancies are subject to safer recruitment processes including a DBS check.

Support Workers – Loads of Autistic Fun in Bedford, Biggleswade and Leighton Buzzard

Part-Time: alternate Saturday mornings during term-time

£9.18 (plus £1.11 holiday pay) – £9.50 (plus £1.15 holiday pay) per hour

We are looking for motivated and enthusiastic team players to join the Autism Bedfordshire team. Successful applicants will provide support for autistic children and young people who attend our LOAF groups in Bedford, Biggleswade and Leighton Buzzard.
Applicants will need to have relevant experience & qualifications:

  • Experience of Health/Education/Social Care Roles;
  • Experience of Managing Challenging Behaviour;
  • Knowledge of Autism;
  • Knowledge of Asperger’s Syndrome;
  • GCSEs or Equivalent Qualifications;
  • Health/Education/Social Care Qualifications (Level 3).

To apply please download an application form, guidance notes and the roles and responsibilities below. Return your completed form to recruitment@autismbeds.org.

Application Form
Application Form Guidance Notes
Support Worker Roles and Responsibilities

All vacancies are subject to safer recruitment processes including a DBS check.

Support Workers – Wanted Fun in Bedford and Kempston

Part-Time: alternate Saturday mornings during term-time

£9.18 (plus £1.11 holiday pay) – £9.50 (plus £1.15 holiday pay) per hour

We are looking for motivated and enthusiastic team players to join the Autism Bedfordshire team. Successful applicants will provide support for autistic children and young people who attend our Wanted Fun group in Kempston and our new group in Bedford.
Applicants will need to have relevant experience & qualifications:

  • Experience of Health/Education/Social Care Roles;
  • Experience of Managing Challenging Behaviour;
  • Knowledge of Autism;
  • Knowledge of Asperger’s Syndrome;
  • GCSEs or Equivalent Qualifications;
  • Health/Education/Social Care Qualifications (Level 3).

To apply please download an application form, guidance notes and the roles and responsibilities below. Return your completed form to recruitment@autismbeds.org.

Application Form
Application Form Guidance Notes
Support Worker Roles and Responsibilities

All vacancies are subject to safer recruitment processes including a DBS check.

Adult Services

Registered Support at Home Manager

Hours: 37.5 (including some evenings and weekends)

£30,000 – £40,000 (depending on experience)

Pension: 4% Employer contribution

Annual Leave: 25 days + Bank holidays, rising to 28 within 3 years

Location: Based in Bedford, but travel throughout the Bedfordshire will be required

Reporting to: Adult Services Director

Closing Date: Friday 30th September 2022

Interviews: Wednesday 12th October 2022


Are you looking for a new opportunity where you can really make a difference?

If so, a new exciting and challenging opportunity has arisen at the centre of our brand-new support at home service.

In 2023 we will be opening our brand-new support at home service; the successful candidate will be recruiting, training, and implementing this new structure and service with the support of our Adult Service Director. Together with a small bespoke team, you will manage our support at home service, this post will be based central office/properties in Bedford alongside over seeing support workers who are delivering services in people’s homes.

We are seeking someone who is qualified by experience, with proven leadership capability, a friendly and outgoing personality, and great interpersonal skills.

  • You should have extensive experience of leading others in social care in a homecare service
  • You should have experience of supporting staff out in the community and making sure that autistic adults across Bedfordshire receive the best support and are empowered to live a life of independence and choice
  • You should be skilled at providing direct supervision, coaching, and mentoring to support staff and have the ability to Identify staff training needs
  • You should be able to establish and maintain effective communication with families and relevant others
  • You should have a robust knowledge in all safeguarding matters and be confident to escalate to the Local Authority safeguarding team in a timely, giving clear and concise information and ensuring any follow up actions are implemented where appropriate
  • Ensure that autistic people are supported in a respectful manor where their choices are valued and supported
  • Ensure that the day-to-day physical and emotional health of those living within the residential service is met within a caring and safe environment
  • Ensure that there are good communication channels of information between all those within the service, other Autism Bedfordshire services and other relevant service providers
  • Ensure relevant parties are regularly updated through regular, planned reviews and reports
  • Working with individuals who can display challenging behaviours hurting self or others, running away, throwing things, swearing, shouting
  • A good level of productivity and solution-focused thinking is also essential
  • Undertake such other duties as are required


    • Sounds like you? Then you would be a highly valuable member of the Autism Bedfordshire family.


    If you think this might be the role for you and want to discuss it in more detail, then contact Sharna Raine on 01234 350704 or email:sharna.raine@autismbeds.org

    To apply, please download an application form, guidance notes and the person spec below.
    Return your completed form to recruitment@autismbeds.org.

    Application Form
    Application Form Guidance Notes
    Job Description and Person Spec

    All vacancies are subject to safer recruitment processes including a DBS check.

    Team Leader

    Part-time: up to 6 hours per month, alternate Thursday evenings

    £9.75 (plus £1.18 holiday pay) per hour

    Location: Bedford

    We are looking for an experienced, motivated and enthusiastic person to help run our evening social group in Bedford.

    These groups provide an opportunity for autistic adults to socialise, gain confidence and develop their skills. The group meets regularly and enjoy a range of different activities such as attending the local cinema, bowling and visiting different restaurants in and around Bedford.

    Key aspects of the role involve planning sessions, working directly with the adults who access the sessions and ensuring all policies and procedures are complied with.

    The ideal candidate will be an approachable person with experience of working with autistic adults, be decisive and quick thinking.

    For further information please contact us on 01234 214871 or emailrecruitment@autismbeds.org
    To apply, please download an application form, guidance notes and the person spec below.

    Return your completed form to recruitment@autismbeds.org.

    Application Form
    Application Form Guidance Notes
    Job Description and Person Spec

    All vacancies are subject to safer recruitment processes including a DBS check.

    Shop Vacancies


    There are no current vacancies in this category.

    Learning Mentor (Autistic Adults)

    Hours: Flexible – Zero-hours contract

    Salary: £11.72 per hour (£10.46 basic per hour plus £1.26 holiday pay per hour)

    Location: Venues across Hertfordshire

    Line Management: Adult Services Manager

    Autism Hertfordshire has a new opportunity for a new and varied role in supporting autistic adults. Our upcoming projects include workshops, courses and social activities – we need people to help us deliver these much-needed services across Hertfordshire.
    Our new mentor will offer guidance to autistic adults within our projects and support our group leaders in delivery. You may have some personal experience of autism or a background in teaching or mentoring looking for a new challenge, but most of all we are looking for someone with a positive attitude who wants to make a real difference in their community.
    You will be able to listen sensitively and effectively while offering personalised input to support our membership to access their community and work towards their goals. We can offer you ongoing guidance around autism, people’s needs and effective support strategies.
    If you would like to discuss the role in more detail, then please email our Adult Services Manager at alex@autismherts.org.
    To apply please download an application form, guidance notes and the roles and responsibilities below. Return your completed form to recruitment@autismbeds.org.

    Application Form
    Application Form Guidance Notes
    Job Description and Person Spec
    All vacancies are subject to safer recruitment processes including a DBS check.

    Volunteers Needed

    Volunteer Assistant Support Workers – Loads of Autistic Fun in Bedford, Biggleswade, Leighton Buzzard and Luton

    Part-Time: alternate Saturday mornings during term-time

    Volunteer expenses reimbursed


    We are looking for motivated and enthusiastic team players to provide 1:1 support for autistic children and young people at our LOAF (Loads of Autistic Fun) groups in Bedford, Biggleswade, Leighton Buzzard and Luton.

    Key aspects of the role include: assisting Support Workers in supporting individuals in our care; assisting in setting up safe areas for scheduled activities; promoting social and communication development through stimulating activities appropriate to age range and abilities.

    To apply please download an application form, guidance notes and the roles and responsibilities below. Return your completed form to recruitment@autismbeds.org

    Application Form

    Application Form Guidance Notes

    ASW Roles & Responsibilities

    All vacancies are subject to safer recruitment processes including an enhanced DBS check.

    Volunteer Assistant Support Workers – Wanted Fun in Biggleswade, Flitwick, Leighton Buzzard and Luton

    Part-Time: once a fortnight on weekday evenings during term-time

    Volunteer expenses reimbursed

    We are looking for motivated and enthusiastic team players to provide 1:1 support for autistic children and young people at our Wanted Fun groups in Biggleswade, Flitwick, Leighton Buzzard and Luton.

    Key aspects of the role include: assisting Support Workers in supporting individuals in our care; assisting in setting up safe areas for scheduled activities; promoting social and communication development through stimulating activities appropriate to age and ability.

    To apply please download an application form, guidance notes and the roles and responsibilities below. Return your completed form to recruitment@autismbeds.org

    Application Form

    Application Form Guidance Notes

    ASW Roles & Responsibilities

    All vacancies are subject to safer recruitment processes including an enhanced DBS check.

    Charity Shop Volunteers

    We are looking for enthusiastic and reliable volunteers to join our charity shop teams in Bedford and Dunstable.

    Supported by our small, friendly team you can get involved in:

    • sorting clothes
    • spotting premium items
    • serving customers
    • pricing goods
    • creating window displays.

    We’ll need you to:

    • be friendly and approachable
    • have common sense
    • use your own initiative
    • work as part of a team.

    Previous experience is not necessary as long as you are responsible, enthusiastic and can demonstrate customer service skills.

    Training will be provided, and time commitment is flexible. We can reimburse your reasonable local travel expenses for shifts of over 4 hours, and we will be able to provide a reference to prospective employers.

    This is a great opportunity to gain and develop your experience in the competitive retail sector, make new friends, and help Autism Bedfordshire provide care and support for people living with the challenges of autistic spectrum conditions.

    Position Details

    Commitment Level: Regular Volunteering

    Location: Bedford and Dunstable

    Interests: Shops / Retail

    Availability: Flexible

    For further information please call 01234 214871 or email: recruitment@autismbeds.org

    To apply please download an application form, guidance notes and the roles and responsibilities below. Return your completed form to recruitment@autismbeds.org

    Application Form

    Application Form Guidance Notes

    Role description

    Autism Bedfordshire is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults in its care. To ensure that this is achieved we expect all employees to share this commitment and staff working with these vulnerable groups will be recruited and selected in line with safer recruitment policies and practices.

    All vacancies are subject to safer recruitment processes including a DBS check.
    Please refer to the following polices and procedures when applying
    Child Protection Policy
    Child Protection Policy – Appendices
    Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults Policy and Procedure
    Safer Recruitment Policy and Procedure