Appointment of an:

Autism Officer

Temporary/ full-time* position

(*part-time arrangements will be considered)

Up to 12 months with possibility of extension

Closing Date: Completed Application Forms must be received by 4pm on Monday 25th August 2025

INTRODUCTION

Applications are invited for the appointment to the post of Autism Officer for Middletown Centre for Autism.

CONTENTS OF THE PACK

Prior to completing the application form applicants should familiarise themselves with the contents of the information pack. The pack includes:

• Section 1 Summary of Terms & Conditions of Appointment
• Section 2 Job Description
• Section 3 Person Specification

RETURN OF APPLICATION FORMS

Completed application and monitoring forms must be made online, postal applications must be returned to the HR Department, Middletown Centre for Autism, 35 Church Street, Middletown, Co. Armagh, BT60 4HZ. Alternatively, application forms may be requested by e-mailing .

Should you have any further queries about this post and/or the recruitment and selection process, please call Middletown Centre.

THE PROTECTION OF CHILDREN AND VULNERABLE ADULTS (NI) ORDER 2003 (POCVA)

The post for which you are applying is governed by The Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults (Northern Ireland) Order 2003. Before appointing anyone to such a post, it is imperative for the relevant check to be carried out by Access NI or the Garda Vetting Office, as appropriate. This check is to ensure those individuals who might be a risk to children and/or vulnerable adults are not appointed.

The check will indicate if you have a criminal record or if your name is included on the DHSSPS Disqualification from Working with Children List or included on the DE List and/or the DHSSPS Disqualified from Working with Vulnerable Adults List. Any information received will be treated confidentially and will be discussed with candidates before a final decision is reached. After the decision is made the information will be destroyed.

Candidates with a disability who require assistance will be facilitated upon request. Candidates who wish to receive application forms and information packs in accessible formats are requested to advise Middletown Centre of their requirements as promptly as possible allowing for the fact that the closing date for receipt remains the same for all applicants as noted above.

Middletown Centre for Autism is an equal opportunities employer

SECTION 1 – SUMMARY OF TERMS & CONDITIONS OF APPOINTMENT

Salary:This post is being offered at points 27 – 30 of the JNC Salary Scale, currently £37,035 – £39,513 per annum (pro-rata for part time staff).

ROI equivalent salary €43,330 – €46,230 per annum (pro-rata for part time staff).

Hours: 37 hours per week. Part time working (3 or more days) will be considered.

Location: Middletown Centre for Autism, the post holder will be required to travel throughout Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland as and when required.

Post Status: Temporary post up to 12 months with possibility of extension.

Continuous Service:The Centre will recognise anyprevious service in any of the organisations included in Redundancy Payments (Continuity of Employment in Local Government, etc.) (Modification) Order (Northern Ireland) 1999. This includes any service within education.

Annual Leave:23 days per annum, rising to 30 days after 5 years continuous service, plus public and privilege holidays (previous continuous service within education will be recognised).

Pension: Middletown Centre for Autism is a member of NILGOSC pension scheme. Successful applicants are eligible to contribute to this scheme.

Probation:The post holder will normally be required to serve a 6-month probationary

period.

SECTION 2 – JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title:Autism Officer Temporary Cover

Reporting to:The Head of Learning Support and Assessment Division

Location: Middletown Centre for Autism

Job Purpose: The Autism Officer assist and support the Learning Support and Assessment team in, planning, implementing and reviewing individual learning support plans including coordinating and leading assessment and support provision for autistic children and young people in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

Key Areas of Responsibility

Assessment and Planning

• Work with the Learning Support and Assessment team to assess the needs of each individual child or young person referred to the Centre and use this information to inform planning and develop Learning Support Plans working in collaboration with team members from other disciplines and first level disciplines (e.g. school staff, SLT and OTs). Assessment results will inform Learning Support Plan goals for individual children and young people in pre-school, nursery, primary, post-primary, special schools and other settings as appropriate.
• Review and evaluate identified aims and recommendations developed for children and young people referred to the Centre.
• Plan and implement neuroaffirming supports, accommodations and resources to support children and young people in their educational settings.
• Implement consistent approaches across school, home and community settings.

Application of Skills

• Demonstrate a high level of skill in the application of autism specific supports in educational environments.
• Ensure the best use of resources through evidence-based approaches to deliver positive outcomes for children and young people.
• Develop individualised Learning Support Plans for each child or young person according to their learning strengths and needs.
• Work co-jointly with staff from the Research and Development Service to provide pertinent data and information relevant to ongoing research at the Centre.
• Work with team members from Learning Support and Assessment within the boundaries of a clear framework for the provision of advice and support to parents and professionals.

Trans-Disciplinary Working

Transdisciplinary working involves one team member delivering the entire learning support plan, including the delivery of recommendations of other team members (with their support as required).

• Support the work of colleagues in the assessment of children and young people who are referred to the Learning Support and Assessment Service. Be an integral part of a co-ordinated team approach in relation to the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of autism specific support programmes across contexts. This will involve co-ordinating support for children and young people and implementing recommendations made by other professional disciplines.
• Promote and participate in continuing professional development with members of the Learning Support and Assessment team, and the Research and Development team.
• Enhance the teams knowledge of autism specific supports and promote an awareness of current best practice.

Communication

• In accordance with best practice, work to identify agreed models of support and a framework for providing advice to parents, teachers and other professionals working with and/or caring for autistic children and young people referred to the Centre.
• Work co-jointly with first level staff in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland to promote commonality and consistency of approach in relation to assessment and delivery of Learning Support Plans to autistic children and young people.
• Lead and contribute to multi-professional meetings, and communicate the Learning Support Plan and recommended supports, accommodations and resources.
• Maintain accurate and comprehensive written records and reports.

General Principles

• The post holder shall, at all times, uphold and comply with the Centres policy on the Protection of Children and Young People in an Educational Setting.
• The post holder shall, at all times, uphold and comply with the Centres Equal Opportunities Policy.

N.B. The list of duties is not intended to be exhaustive or exclusive. The post holder may be required to undertake various other duties as deemed necessary and commensurate with the level of responsibility of the post. The Centre reserves the right to update the Job Description from time to time to reflect the changing needs of the Service in consultation with the post holder.

The successful candidate will be expected to maintain and develop a high level of knowledge, skills and expertise through engagement in a range of continuous professional development activities.

This post will provide an opportunity for the Autism Officer to develop a high level of expertise in the development of assessment methodologies both internal and external to the Centre.

SECTION 3 – PERSON SPECIFICATION

Job Title:Autism Officer Temporary cover

Reporting to: The Head of Learning Support and Assessment

Essential criteria:

Applicants must be able to demonstrate the following by the closing date:

• Degree in education, psychology or a health-related discipline, or equivalent.
• Significant post-qualification experience delivering autism specific supports to autistic children and young people within an educational environment.
• A proven record in the attainment of high-level skills through appropriate courses of study in a range of autism specific programmes.
• Experience of working with a varied learning ability and/or age range of autistic children and young people in relation to managing emotional regulation and stress responses.
• Experience in working in partnership with parents/caregivers and/or a range of education and health professionals.
• A current full driving licence and access to a vehicle or access to a form of transport which will allow the post holder to fully satisfy the travel requirements of the post.

Applicants must also be able to demonstrate their competence in the following areas:

Assessment and Planning

• Demonstrable ability to assess, plan, develop, review and evaluate Learning Support Programmes for autistic children and young people.

Application of Skills

• Proven ability in the application of autism specific support strategies in an educational environment.

Trans-Disciplinary Working

Proven ability to support the work of colleagues internally and externally in supporting autistic children and young people.

• Demonstrable experience in working successfully in a multi-disciplinary, multi-agency capacity.

Communication

• Demonstrable ability to work in a team to promote commonality and consistency of approach in relation to assessment and delivery of autism specific programmes within an educational context.
• Proven ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, tailoring content to the target audience.