MAY 2025

Welcome to our regular newsletter for our member organisations and all of their staff.

If you’re receiving this newsletter, it’s because the organisation you work for is part of the Autism Alliance.

New to the Alliance?

We are a national partnership of not for profit organisations that support autistic people and their families. Our members represent a range of sectors, including adult social care, education, and community support. Together they support thousands of autistic children, young people and adults across the UK.

We work together to share our knowledge, skills and experience in ways which can improve outcomes and reduce inequalities for autistic people - and ultimately help us achieve our vision of a society where autistic people can thrive.

You can view all our member organisations here and find out more about our work more generally on our website.

What’s in here for you?

This is our latest monthly newsletter for all staff across the Alliance membership. We hope you find it useful and always welcome your views about what else we could include. This month features:

FEEDBACK FROM YOU

We love to get your feedback on how we’re doing and the value we’re adding.

We had some positive feedback on the recent Topic Call for Alliance members featuring Ed and Sasha from the PDA Society, including:

‘Very passionate and insightful presentation, learnt so much…’

‘Thank you again for a fantastic presentation, and I will be exploring your website and resources available on it…’.

AUTISM IN THE NEWS

Chris Packham says autism does not need a cure: ‘We are not broken’

Autistic conservationist Chris Packham, said he does not want a cure to autism following US Health Secretary RFK Jr’s pledge to find the causes of autism by September.  The TV presenter spoke about his autism diagnosis in a two-part BBC Two docuseries called Inside Our Autistic Minds, which aimed to shine a light on how neurodivergent people think.  Read his full interview in the Evening Standard below.

DfE to set out costed SEND plan ‘within a year’ 

The Government has said it aims to produce a fully costed plan to improve the SEND system by April next year. The DfE has also said it intends to announce a plan for dealing with council SEND deficits this summer, and to set out what inclusive education in schools should look like by the end of the year. The plans are set out in response to a report from the Commons Public Accounts Committee on the SEND crisis. Schools Week reports that the DfE has also pledged to investigate the reasons for the increasing demand for SEND support. 

Autistic people communicate just as effectively as others, study finds

According to a new study from the University of Nottingham, there is no significant difference in the effectiveness of how autistic and non-autistic people communicate, challenging the stereotype that autistic people struggle to connect with others. The findings suggest that social difficulties often faced by autistic people are more about differences in how autistic and non-autistic people communicate, rather than a lack of social ability in autistic individuals, experts say. 

New partnership aims to improve educational experiences for autistic young people

The University of Birmingham’s Autism Centre for Education and Research (ACER) has announced a new partnership with the Alliance’s newest member - the Sheila Coates Foundation, an independent charity committed to enhancing the education and mental health of autistic young people.  Read more about the Sheila Coates Foundation in Alliance News below.

Rod Stewart helps with autism diagnosis amid long waits

The rock star stepped in after the Daily Record revealed Iain Gregori, four, had waited three years for a diagnosis, despite his father repeatedly being told he is autistic. Following the generous act, during First Minister's Questions, John Swinney was condemned for lengthy waiting times in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAHMS) by Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar. 

Parents’ fears about EHCP reform

Proposed restrictions for children with EHCPs in mainstream schools could mean the end of vital support for autistic children across the country.  Government SEND advisor Dame Christine Lenehan, has suggested that this lifeline support could be restricted to those only attending special schools. 

Reform must apologise for calling special needs pupils ‘naughty children’, says Labour 

Bridget Phillipson, the Education Secretary, accused Reform of making “shameful comments” about vulnerable pupils, which she claimed had “caused considerable concern among the SEND community”. It comes after Nigel Farage, the Reform leader, said last month that overdiagnosis of “mental illness problems and general behavioural disabilities” among children in the UK was “creating a class of victims.” 

HAVE YOUR SAY

Here you can find the latest surveys, consultations and research participation requests related to autism. Feel free to share them with anyone you think might be interested.

RESEARCH:  A study entitled “Family Wellbeing, Social Support, and Caregiving for Autistic Children: Insights from Ethnic Minorities and Other British Families in the UK” is seeking participants.  The study aims to amplify the voices of caregivers and explore their experiences of caregiving while navigating formal support systems, such as education and healthcare services. 

RESEARCH: A University of Staffordshire student is looking for participants who are fathers of children diagnosed with autism, to explore lived experience of stress in fathers and coping mechanisms used following the diagnosis. 

Participants must be over 18 with children under the age of 18. 

ALLIANCE NEWS

Welcome to our latest members…

We are always welcoming new organisations into the Alliance and the past month has been no exception. This month we have been joined by:

Sheila Coates Foundation

The Sheila Coates Foundation is an independent charity working to fund projects in England that enhance the education and mental health of young people with autism. They provide micro-grants to schools and education settings to increase inclusion for autistic children and young people, and are working with the University of Birmingham Autism Centre for Education and Research to evaluate the impact of their work.

The late Sheila Coates was an inspirational creator of a service in Oxfordshire for children with autism and related conditions. She led a team of more than 90 staff working with 200 children in many host schools.

See more about their work here.

You can view all of our member organisations on our website here. If you know of an organisation that you think would benefit from being part of the Alliance, please share our membership page with them.

Autism Alliance UK - new Membership Lead

We are delighted to introduce our new Membership Lead, Poppy Smith, who will start at the beginning of June. 

Poppy’s background is in managing a global network of translators working with national to global firms, and she is passionate about building relationships and fostering a sense of community.

As Membership Lead, Poppy will focus on increasing our connection with members and opportunities to work together, ensuring were are delivering best value. Poppy will be attending our Members’ Meeting on 11th June and we know all those attending will give her a warm welcome. She will also be getting out and about over the coming months to see more of the work of our members first-hand.

Visit to Scottish Autism

On 21st May, Adam visited Dorry, Joe and colleagues at Scottish Autism in Alloa. It was an excellent day, with discussion about policy challenges at a UK level, including assessment and diagnosis, and a chance to visit some of Scottish Autism’s services for autistic young people and adults.

As well as seeing the excellent facilities, including an arts and crafts workshop, community cafe and expressive arts studio, Adam was particularly struck by the warmth of the staff and their clear passion for understanding each individual, and it was wonderful to meet some of the people supported by the team. A huge thank you to everyone at Scottish Autism for enabling the visit.

Autism Alliance Professional Groups

As part of their membership of the Autism Alliance, organisations are able to nominate members of staff to attend our professional groups. These groups are a forum for staff to share expertise and provide support for each other, as well as work on specific projects.

At the start of the year we wrote to the CEOs of our member organisations, asking them to update their staff nominations to these groups. If you are newly nominated you should have received a welcome email and calendar invitations to future meetings. If you are unsure please contact your CEO.

These groups are:

Practice Forum

HR Group

Policy Group

Communications and Campaigns Group

CEOs

You can see the meeting dates for all of these groups on our website.

Next Members’ Meeting - 11th June, Friends House, London

Our Summer Members’ Meeting will be on Wednesday 11th June at Friends House in London. In a busy and uncertain time, it’s vital we are able to come together in a safe space to share our experiences and ideas, and think together about our stance on policy and public affairs.

Responding to feedback on previous meetings, this session will include an even stronger focus on networking, both informally over lunch and refreshments, and in groups reflecting different aspects of the crucial work we do.

We also have some great speakers as usual. We’ll be having an open conversation with Simon Bottery from The King’s Fund, co-author of the Social Care 360 report and a national expert on social care. We’ll also be hearing from James Cusack on the latest in global autism research from the annual INSAR conference in Seattle, and colleagues from the ‘four nations’, including Kerry Boyd from Autism NI and Joe Long from Scottish Autism, will be outlining the latest developments in policy and public affairs across the whole of the UK. We’ll also have chance to comment on the new Autism Alliance UK Strategy through to 2028, which reflects the rapidly changing external environment and the priority areas we aim to address.

It should be a great day, and we look forward to seeing you there. If you’ve not yet confirmed but would like to attend, please let Alice know so we can ensure the catering requirement is sufficient (alice.mace@autismalliance.org.uk). Also a reminder that our Members’ Meetings are for CEOs and one other member of the senior team - but CEOs should feel free to contact us if they would like to send two senior representatives.

Topic Call

Every quarter, we run online meetings for our member organisations about relevant issues within the sector, with guest speakers followed by a question and answer session. Each of our member organisation’s CEOs receives the invitation for distribution within their staff.

With thanks to Ed Archer from the PDA Society for an engaging and informative presentation on Pathological Demand Avoidance earlier this month at our Topic Call.  As feedback reflected, there is huge value and a motivation to learn more when hearing a knowledgeable, adept and experienced speaker within your own sector. 

Our next Topic Call is on Wednesday 8th September 2025, 1.00pm – 2.00pm when our speaker will be Dr Conor Davidson, Consultant Psychiatrist and Clinical Lead of the Leeds Autism Diagnostic Service. For the past few years Conor has been the Autism Champion at the Royal College of Psychiatrists, and has a strong commitment to evidence-based practice and understanding autism.

Please speak to your CEO if you would like to join us for this video call.

You can see the meeting dates for all of these groups on our website.

INFLUENCING POLICY & GOVERNMENT

Policy update

The Autism Alliance UK continues to work to influence Government policy and support colleagues in other areas of the UK where relevant policy is devolved. Our focus continues to be on ‘influencing from the inside’ through relationships with officials, NHS colleagues and through interaction with Parliamentary committees and inquiries, but in the coming months we may take forward more public work in collaboration with Alliance members, particularly around the public perception of autism.

Policy in England continues to develop rapidly as we move into the summer. Following the recent launch of the Government’s consultation on welfare reform, we have seen the announcement of plans to close the Health and Care Worker Visa to care workers and the formal launch of Baroness Casey’s Commission on Adult Social Care. The Alliance is continuing to support the main national campaigns in this space, including from the Care and Support Alliance and the Local Government Association, all of which call for the care sector to be valued and properly funded.

Alongside this, we may soon see an announcement on SEND in education. Recent weeks have seen speculation that the Government may be moving away from key aspects of the Children and Families Act 2014, including Education, Health and Care Plans, as part of a focus on making mainstream education more inclusive, with the implication that fewer children and young people are in specialist schools and settings. If what we have heard about the Government’s direction is correct, a huge amount will depend firstly on consultation and co-production, and secondly on managing transition exceptionally well. It will be vital that children and young people are not caught between the rhetoric of meeting need and a drive to manage cost, and that the vital role of specialist organisations is recognised and maintained.

As part of this, the Neurodivergence Task and Finish Group, on which the Autism Alliance is represented, will be bringing together its report to Government. Although the detail of this work is confidential, the Group looks set to make some clear recommendations about meeting needs, changing culture and listening to children, young people and families.

In other areas of policy, with the Casey Commission now underway we will be following up on the letter the Autism Alliance sent to the Commission earlier this year on behalf of autism and learning disability organisations, and connecting with other organisations, including the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services, who are advocating for a distinct workstream within the Commission for autistic people and people with a learning disability.

We have also seen one clearly positive development, which is the confirmation that NHS England will be re-procuring the Autism Central programme for a further three years. Although it has a small budget in the national context (around £1 m per year), through local community organisations - including some members of the Autism Alliance - the service is doing good work which is greatly appreciated by parents and carers, and ensuring there is at least one continuing national programme that promotes understanding of autism and builds confidence and resilience amongst families.

Finally, the Government’s Spending Review is expected in June, along with the NHS 10-Year Plan, which may include a future direction for autism assessment. Ministers seem clearly focused on addressing the unacceptably waiting lists for assessment but it will be crucial that they engage with evidence-led, carefully tested reform rather than rushing to actions which just restrict access. This is particularly important given recent comments from politicians about ‘overdiagnosis’, which are reductive and wrong - there are many factors that affect rates of diagnosis, and there is clear under-diagnosis amongst some groups. Responding to this risk, the Autism Alliance is working with NHS England to make sure all the facts are considered, and exploring how we can maintain a strong base of support for evidence-based reform amongst charities, researchers and clinicians.

As a UK-wide partnership it is also vital to understand the context in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales, where there are similar challenges but the policy process is at different places - and at our next Members’ Meeting on 11th July, we will be taking a look at the latest developments in policy in the ‘four nations’.

We will also continue to prioritise engagement with the House of Lords Special Inquiry on the Autism Act 2009. The deadline for public submissions to the Inquiry is 2nd June, and we have shared with CEOs the Autism Alliance’s draft submission in case this is helpful to see. As we have noted before, the Inquiry is a crucially important opportunity to highlight how policy, public services and society can work for autistic people and their families, and Alliance members are strongly encouraged to submit evidence. The Autism Alliance will be giving additional oral evidence to the Lords Committee in early July, following the appearance of Government Ministers, officials and the NHS, and this will be a helpful opportunity to comment on the position Ministers have set out.

RESOURCES

Here we share resources about autism.

Autism and the Arts: Poetry with Peter Street’

‘Autism and the Arts: Poetry with Peter Street’ is a 40-minute independent documentary which explores Peter Street’s life in Bolton, his poetry and his struggles with issues related to autism over the past 76 years.
With Peter’s agreement, Bolton based independent documentary maker Brett Gregory aims to screen the completed documentary at three regional cinemas – The Light in Bolton, The Film Factory in Leigh, and HOME in Manchester – in order to raise awareness with audiences about the relationship between autism, the arts and social class, as well as to promote Peter’s poetry and his memoirs to a wider readership.

You can read Brett Gregory’s interview on his documentary about this fascinating man here. The official trailer for this production can be watched on YouTube with a release date coming soon.

Autism Central, more podcasts on ‘relationships’

In late 2024 we reviewed the first episode of the second series of podcasts on ‘relationships’ commissioned by Autism Central, hosted by children’s occupational therapist Holly Sprake-Hill. Additional episodes have been released since our review, and are well worth a listen, focusing on intimacy, neurodivergent siblings, family relationships and friendships.

NEWS FROM OUR MEMBERS

Each month we will share news from our member organisations. Feel free to send your stories to us via email.

Ambitious About Autism

SEND system roundtable

Ambitious About Autism host a roundtable discussion with their Experts by Experience panel to discuss badly needed changes in the SEND system.

 The important discussion brought together autistic young people, autistic adults and parents, as well as experts from schools and colleges, university academics and charities and included conversation on more holistic educational goals, culture change as well as more effective government leadership.  Read more here. 

Autistica

New study finds barriers to public transport systems create adverse outcomes for neurodivergent people 

Autistica has published a report which reveals the obstacles and barriers that neurodivergent people face when using public transport. Funded by the Motability Foundation, the report, Neurodivergence and Public Transport: how to make public transport more accessible for a neurodivergent community, delves into the key barriers preventing neurodivergent people from using public transport.  

The report highlights 11 key recommendations to make public transport more neuroinclusive. These recommendations sit within five overarching themes, which are driving change through collaboration and research; integrating and simplifying; maximising digital technology; understanding neurodivergence; and making spaces less crowded, with more support.

Read more here.

Read the full report here.

Priors Court

Autistic adults unite for a day of fundraising

Autistic adults from two charities founded by Dame Stephanie Shirley joined together for a fundraising event for the second year running.

Prior’s Court and Autism at Kingwood took part in Step by Step – Autism United on Thursday, 15 May.

The event featured 20 young adults from Prior’s Court’s Young Adult Provision and 25 adults supported by Autism at Kingwood, who took to our grounds in a joint-sponsored walk/jog/run fundraiser.

Read about this event here.

Congratulations to Prior’s Court on their 25th anniversary year!

 A special celebration event brought together the Prior’s Court community past and present as part of their 25th anniversary year.

 The annual Let Me Shine music festival doubled as a key event to mark the silver jubilee, with the 2024/25 year commemorating 25 years since Prior’s Court first opened its doors.

 Read more about the special celebrations here.

Scottish Autism

Autism, Ageing and Social Care project

Scottish Autism recently held a reception at the Scottish Parliament to share work from their creative research project on Autism, Ageing and Social Care in partnership with Heriot-Watt University. The project was funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council.

Together with Iceberg Productions, a group of autistic filmmakers supported by Scottish Autism, the team co-produced two documentary films on supported people’s hopes, concerns and aspirations as they get older. A series of workshops with autistic people, carers, and professionals led co-produced artworks on the theme. The project is the start of a wider conversation with providers, decision-makers and policymakers about the care needs of autistic people in older age.

The reception was hosted by Martin Whitfield MSP, and attended by Maree Todd MSP, Minister for Mental Health, Social Care and Sport, who both spoke about the value of the work. Both the research team and participants in the films attended and were treated to a tour of the parliamentary chamber.

Read more about the project and watch the films here.

Autism Anglia

Artist David Downes Becomes Ambassador for Autism Anglia

Renowned artist David Downes has been appointed as an official ambassador for Autism Anglia, further solidifying his long-standing support for the charity. This exciting announcement comes as Autism Acceptance Month, a global initiative aimed at raising awareness, fostering inclusivity, and encouraging acceptance and understanding of autistic people, ends after a month of celebration from the charity. 

David was diagnosed with autism at the age of 32. His landscape paintings amplify the sense of place and time through the lens of autism. He has consistently used his platform to advocate for causes close to his heart. His commitment to promoting autism awareness makes him a perfect fit for his new role as an ambassador for Autism Anglia, an organisation that provides vital services for autistic children, adults and their families. 

Read the full story here.

Don’t miss our Job Vacancies section further down, where you can see adverts from our member organisations.

WHAT TO SEE…READ…WATCH…

The Assembly (ITVx)

Reviewed by Alice Mace, Executive Assistant

Although new to the BBC and British viewers, the format of The Assembly is an adaptation of Les Rencontres Du Papotin, a surprise ratings hit in France.  Seeing the French president asked if it’s really ok to marry one’s teacher can only be ratings gold.

The Assembly sees a collective of autistic, neurodivergent and learning disabled interviewers asking questions of a range of celebrities.

Neurodivergence often makes the most impactful point with an absence - an absence of flattery, of deception, of fakery – and The Assembly shows not only the value of being genuine, but also highlights how extraordinary this is.  While this is more pronounced in the world of celebrity, we are all invited to enjoy the rollercoaster of emotions felt by the interviewees as they face bullet biting questions by those entirely unencumbered by sweet talk.

Production value is also stripped back on this delightful show, leaving just a room with chairs and handheld cameras as the backdrop.  In this thoroughly revealing and intimate setting, coupled with masterful editing, we see deeply into the personalities of the people making up The Assembly.   Free from judgement and with time, space and the lightest of touch support around the room, this programme is a joyful example of the very best of humanity.  And if the collective’s performance at the end of each show doesn’t move you, once again, I’m going to have to come over and check for a heartbeat.

JOB VACANCIES

Norwood works with local authorities, to deliver wide-ranging services including residential and supported living accommodation and short-breaks facilities, as well as a range of support groups aimed at the whole family, not just the individual.

Location: London

  • £34,814 - £368,683

    Deadline: 31st May 2025

    Location: Finchley

    You'll be responsible for the day-to-day management of the Unity service, plus take the lead in the growth and development of the service to maximize the reach and opportunities for young people with neurodivergent needs within the community. The role will ensure the service is compliant with Ofsted, offers a varied timetable with clear criteria for each club/activity, undertakes referrals and assessments and works collaboratively with wider Norwood colleagues to flex, grow and change to meet the ever-changing needs of the community. 

    More information here.

  • £15.00 per hour

    Deadline: 31st May 2025

    Location: Finchley

    You will work closely with the Hub and Short Breaks Operations Manager to ensure Norwood offers a flexible, fun and exciting provision for neurodivergent children and young people and those with a neurodevelopmental disability from ages 5-25. You will drive and support the development of the future of our Short Breaks provision with innovative ideas for our weekday, weekend and holiday programmes, ensuring Norwood continually responds to the wishes, aspirations and needs reflected by the young people we support to offer a meaningful, flexible and creative offer.  You will design, develop and deliver creative choice and cohort-based sessions, whilst working within the framework of OFSTED to ensure quality and compliance.

    More information here.

  • £13.00 per hour

    Deadline: 31st May 2025

    Location: Finchley

    You will ensure Norwood offers a flexible, fun and exciting provision for neurodivergent children and young people and those with a neurodevelopmental disability from ages 5-25. You will support and work with the children and young people during our weekday, weekend and holiday programmes, ensuring Norwood continually responds to the wishes, aspirations and needs reflected by the young people we support to provide a meaningful, flexible and creative offering. You will deliver creative choice and cohort-based sessions, whilst working within the framework of OFSTED to ensure quality and compliance.

    More information here.

  • £34,814 - £38,683

    Deadline: 31st May 2025

    Location: Hendon

    We are looking for a dynamic and practised Social Worker who is passionate about achieving excellence, coupled with the ability to drive change for neurodivergent children, young people and their families. If this sounds like you, you could be the person we are looking for! This role is grounded on improving the quality and care for these children and young people, through providing specialist social care assessment and intervention support to the family as a unit. Experience of working with neurodivergent children, those with disabilities, or an understanding of specialist health settings is essential.

    More information here.

Autism Anglia provides personalised services, care and support to autistic children, adults and their families in East Anglia. This includes assessment and diagnosis, outreach work, supported living, as well as education and residential homes.

Location: Essex, Suffolk and Norfolk

  • £27,858.96 per annum

    No deadline

    Location:  Peldon, CO5 7PT

    We are recruiting for a Team Leader for our residential site, Peldon. The Team Leader will lead a team to help those in your care to help them achieve their own life plans through a person-centered approach.

    More information here.

Resources for Autism provides services, supporting and enabling autistic people to live happy and fulfilling lives, across London and the West Midlands. A values-driven organisation which employs values-driven people who want to make a difference.

Location: London

  • £51,000 per annum

    Deadline: 28th May 2025

    Location: London

    Full Time. A minimum of 40% on site time is required. Reports to CEO, direct reports: 2, team size: 6 staff.

    Please refer to Resources for Autism’s website here for further information.

  • Up to £40,000 pro rata

    Deadline: 6th June 2025

    Location: London or Birmingham

    Hours: 0.6FTE, 22.5 hours per week. (May be available on a consultancy contract basis). Fixed Term (2 years). Reports to CEO, direct reports: 2, team size: 6 staff

    Please refer to Resources for Autism’s website here for further information.

  • Up to £42,000

    Deadline: 6th June 2025

    Location: London or Birmingham

    Hours: Full time 37.5 hours per week – initially fixed term for 2 years

    Please refer to Resources for Autism’s website here for further information.

Autism East Midlands provides a wide range of care, support and educational services to meet the needs of autistic individuals of all ages, and their families and carers, across the East Midlands.

Location: East Midlands

  • £12.89 per hour

    Deadline: 29th May 2025

    Location: Chesterfield

    Community Support Workers provide social and outcome focussed support for adults in the community. One day you could be supporting someone with food shopping and understanding how to pay their bills, and the next you could be going on a long country walk. We want support workers who are empathetic and supportive, and share our values.

    More information here.

  • £12.89 per hour

    Deadline: 29th May 2025

    Location: Derby

    Community Support Workers provide social and outcome focussed support for adults in the community. One day you could be supporting someone with food shopping and understanding how to pay their bills, and the next you could be going on a long country walk. We want support workers who are empathetic and supportive, and share our values.

    More information here.

  • £12.89 per hour

    Deadline: 29th May 2025

    Location: Ripley

    Community Support Workers provide social and outcome focussed support for adults in the community. One day you could be supporting someone with food shopping and understanding how to pay their bills, and the next you could be going on a long country walk. We want support workers who are empathetic and supportive, and share our values.

    More information here.

  • £14.56 per hour

    Deadline: 30th May 2025

    Location: Nottingham

    As a qualified Teaching Assistant, your role will be to support our teachers in providing and developing a high-quality education to address the individual needs of pupils.

    More information here.

  • £36,517.77 per annum

    Deadline: 30th June 2025

    Location: Nottingham

    We are seeking a committed Careers Leader, who seeks to work as part of a supportive staff team. They will have a passion for improving the lives for autistic pupils and their families and a commitment to improving outcomes for children and young people. You will need to hold the relevant qualifications to deliver Careers and Guidance Advice in school.

    More information here.

  • £12.89 per hour

    Deadline: 31st May 2025

    Location: Mansfield Woodhouse

    We're looking for Casual Relief Support Workers that are willing to provide person-centred support to our autistic service users at our day services. Shifts will vary dependent on the needs of the service.

    More information here.

  • £12.89 per hour

    Deadline: 31st May 2025

    Location: Heanor

    We're looking for Casual Relief Support Workers that are willing to provide person-centred support to our autistic service users at our day services. Shifts will vary dependent on the needs of the service.

    More information here.

  • £12.89 per hour

    Deadline: 13th June 2025

    Location: Nottingham

    Providing professional, flexible support for adults and young people with autism spectrum conditions. Promoting the development of an individual’s full potential by supporting their desired outcomes.

    More information here.

  • £12.89 per hour

    Deadline: 13th June 2025

    Location: Nottingham

    Providing professional, flexible support for adults and young people with autism spectrum conditions. Promoting the development of an individual’s full potential by supporting their desired outcomes.

    More information here.

  • £12.89 per hour

    Deadline: 9th June 2025

    Location: Worksop

    Providing needed support for autistic service users during the evenings and early mornings at our respite service in Worksop. Shifts typically range between 9pm and 7am and includes breakfast duties.

    More information here.

  • £12.89 per hour

    Deadline: 9th June 2025

    Location: Worksop

    Providing needed support for autistic service users during the evenings and early mornings at our respite service in Worksop. Shifts typically range between 9pm and 7am and includes breakfast duties.

    More information here.

  • £12.89 per hour

    Deadline: 30th May 2025

    Location: Retford

    Providing professional, flexible support for adults and young people with autism spectrum conditions. Promoting the development of an individual’s full potential by supporting their desired outcomes.

    More information here.

  • £12.89 per hour

    Deadline: 30th May 2025

    Location: Northampton

    Providing professional, flexible support for adults and young people with autism spectrum conditions. Promoting the development of an individual’s full potential by supporting their desired outcomes.

    More information here.

  • £12.89 per hour

    Deadline: 30th May 2025

    Location: Northampton

    Providing needed support for autistic service users during the evenings and early mornings at our residential service in Northampton. Shifts typically range between 9pm and 7am and includes breakfast duties.

    More information here.

  • £12.89 per hour

    Deadline: 31st May 2025

    Location: Heanor

    Providing needed support for autistic service users during the evenings and early mornings at our residential service in Northampton. Shifts typically range between 9pm and 7am and includes breakfast duties.

    More information here.

  • £12.89 per hour

    Deadline: 30th May 2025

    Location: Northampton

    Providing professional, flexible support for adults and young people with autism spectrum conditions. Promoting the development of an individual’s full potential by supporting their desired outcomes.

    More information here.

Aurora Nexus is a charity providing support to people with learning disabilities and/or autism in the South East London boroughs of Bromley, Lewisham and Southwark. Support services include registered care, supported living, outreach, employment and housing support and Community Day Care.

Location: South-East London

  • £12.21 per hour

    Deadline: 21st June 2025

    Location: Bromley

    Supporting a gentleman in his own home, completing activities that he enjoys such as bowling. Support the individual to carry out day to day activities to promote independence.  Driver is needed due to remote location.

    More information here.

  • £13.15 per hour

    Deadline: ongoing

    Location: Southwark/Lewisham

    Supporting adults with Autism and Learning disabilities to carry out day to day activities promoting independence.

    More information here.

  • Apprentice salary

    Deadline: 25th June 2025

    Location: Lewisham

    Supporting the business with training administration, sourcing and booking training.

    More information here.

Remarkable Autism provides a range of initiatives, including Wargrave House School and Sixth Form, Ascent College, and the Sundial Therapy service - all to support and educate people, create opportunities, and provide integrated services that add value for autistic individuals and their families throughout their lives.

Location: Merseyside

  • Pro-rata salary £26,088 - £27,406 pa (NJC 16-19, FTE £29,572- £31,067) *pending pay award, Term Time (190 days) + 5 days

    Deadline: 10th June 2025

    Location: Newton-le-Willows

    Remarkable Autism is looking for a passionate and experienced Outdoor Learning Co-ordinator to create and deliver impactful an outdoor learning program for our learners and students in both our school (Wargrave House School 5 –16) and college (Ascent Autism Specialist College 16 – 25) In this role, you will combine your expertise in outdoor education with the coordination of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE) program. ​You will integrate outdoor education/DoE criteria with the school’s and college’s curriculum and therapeutic strategies, ensuring a holistic approach to learning. We’re seeking a motivated individual with a strong background in outdoor education and a deep understanding of child and young adult development and knowledge of autism.

    More information here.

  • MPS – UPS, £31,650 to £49,082 per annum + SEN

    Deadline: 10th June 2025

    Location: Newton-le-Willows

    We are looking for motivated and aspirational teachers, who are a qualified, experienced teacher with the desire to further develop their career within the school. Ideally successful candidates will have had some experience of leading or managing a department or initiative within a school setting.

    More information here.

  • Pro-rata salary £12,660 to £19,633 per annum + SEN

    Deadline: 10th June 2025

    Location: Newton-le-Willows

    We are looking for motivated and aspirational teachers, who are a qualified, experienced teacher with the desire to further develop their career within the school. Ideally successful candidates will have had some experience of leading or managing a department or initiative within a school setting.

  • Pro rata salary: £9,224 - £9,675 (NJC 7 – 10) 2 days /15 hours per week (Term Time plus 3 weeks)

    Deadline: 10th June 2025

    Location: Newton-le-Willows

    An opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic Receptionist/Administrator to join our hardworking team. You will be involved in running the reception and supporting the day-to-day administrative tasks associated with running a busy school.  With your efficient, professional approach your main areas of responsibility will be: Answering all incoming calls, dealing with transferring or taking messages as necessary. To join us, you will need previous administrative experience and a high degree of computer literacy (i.e. Word, Excel, PowerPoint and IMS). You should be used to working on several administrative tasks and be able to switch between them, whilst providing excellent customer service to people contacting the school.  Just as important is an approachable, helpful nature, you should be ready to support our team and build a natural and respectful rapport with our young people. Receiving all visitors and dealing with enquiries in an efficient and professional manner.

    The joint administration, co-ordination and circulation of all communications to parents/professionals via email, text or post.

    More information here.

All member organisations within the Autism Alliance can advertise their staff vacancies for free. If you would like to do this, please complete our template here and send to us via email.

AND FINALLY….

Carers’ Week runs from 9th-15th June this year and is a brilliant opportunity to celebrate the huge efforts of unpaid carers across the UK and their vital contribution to our society.

Many of those across the membership of the Autism Alliance are carers, combining this with their role at work, and all of us will know someone with caring responsibilities. Caring is also at the heart of our work as specialist autism organisations, as the ability to care - which requires understanding, compassion, humanity and commitment - shines through those who work across our sector. At the highest level, the word ‘care’ itself highlights something fundamentally positive about human society when it is working at its best.

A range of groups and campaigners continue to press the Government to recognise the care sector, and the work of unpaid carers, in line with its true value in society - both through funding and through language. Whether or not you are celebrating Carers’ Week this year, we should continue to show what the world looks like when people care - in services, across society, and for those facing the greatest barriers in their lives.