Children’s Services Coordinator

AUTISM BEDFORDSHIRE; Bedford; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

Autism Bedfordshire in Bedfordshire seeks a Children’s Services Coordinator to plan and deliver high-quality services for autistic children and their families. You will coordinate activities, recruit and support staff and volunteers, and ensure safety and standards across programmes.

The role involves safeguarding responsibilities, partnership working with schools and agencies, and delivering inclusive family services while aligning with the charity’s values.

Qualifications

• Two years’ experience within Education, Health or Social Care setting.
• One year experience working with children and young people (desirable).
• One year leadership and management (desirable).
• Knowledge of Autism (across the spectrum)/SEN/Disability.
• GCSEs or Equivalent Qualifications.
• Health/Education/Social Care Qualifications (Level 3).

Responsibilities

• Service Delivery and Programme Management: Plan, organise and evaluate programmes and activities.
• Staff and Volunteer Management: Ensure professional conduct, assign roles, document attendance, and support professional development.
• Safeguarding, Health & Safety: Ensure medical and welfare requirements are met, check site safety, report hazards, and implement policies.
• Family Support and Helpline: Provide support to families through Autism Bedfordshire’s helpline.
• Partnership Working: Build positive relationships with schools, local authorities and partner agencies.
• Communications, Event and Training: Contribute to communications for newsletters, organise parent and professional events, deliver presentations where appropriate.
• Monitoring and Continuous Improvement: Evaluate services, work alongside Funding Team, identify opportunities

Skills

Education/Health/Social Care exp

Leadership experience

Autism/SEN knowledge

People management

Education

GCSEs or Equivalent Qualifications

Health/Education/Social Care Qualifications (Level 3)

Job description

Position: Children’s Services Coordinator

Location: Bedford

Full-Time: 30 – 37.5 hours per week, Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm (Evenings and weekends will be required)

Salary: £27,716 – £31,629 FTE (plus holiday pay)

Autism Bedfordshire is an independent charity that is dedicated to improving the lives of autistic people and their families by providing impactful services across the county and surrounding areas.

The Children’s Services Co-ordinator plays a vital role in planning, delivering and developing high-quality services for autistic children, young people and their families across Bedfordshire and beyond.

Key responsibilities include:

• Summer Activity Schemes
• Family Stay and Play sessions
• Wanted Fun youth groups
• Additional social and leisure activities

This varied and rewarding role combines programme management, staff leadership, safeguarding responsibilities and partnership working. The successful candidate will coordinate a range of activities and services, recruit and support staff and volunteers, and ensure services are delivered safely, effectively and in line with Autism Bedfordshire’s values and standards.

The role requires excellent organisational skills, the ability to manage multiple priorities, and a passion for improving opportunities and outcomes for autistic children and young people.

Our Service

Autism Bedfordshire’s services help break down the barriers to social participation for autistic people and their families by providing places where they can go and feel comfortable, accepted and not judged by society. With the encouragement and support of specialist trained staff we help autistic people build their confidence, self-esteem, and social skills through taking part in social activities and mixing with other people. Furthermore, we help them to develop practical skills and independence which will improve their prospects in life and help them be part of the community. Our aspirations are for them to have the same opportunities as people who are not autistic, so that they can enjoy fulfilled and rewarding lives.

About you

• Two years’ experience within Education, Health or Social Care setting
• One year experience working with children and young people (desirable)
• One year leadership and management (desirable)
• Knowledge of Autism (across the spectrum)/SEN/Disability
• GCSEs or Equivalent Qualifications.
• Health/Education/Social Care Qualifications (Level 3).

About the role

• Service Delivery and Programme Management:Plan, organise and evaluate programmes and activities.
• Staff and Volunteer Management:Ensure professional conduct, assign roles, document attendance, and support professional development.
• Safeguarding, Health & Safety:Ensure medical and welfare requirements are met, check site safety, report hazards, and implement policies.
• Family Support and Helpline:Provide support to families through Autism Bedfordshire’s helpline.
• Partnership Working:Build positive relationships with schools, local authorities and partner agencies.
• Communications, Event and Training:Contribute to communications for newsletters, organise parent and professional events, deliver presentations where appropriate.
• Monitoring and Continuous Improvement:Evaluate services, work alongside Funding Team, identify opportunities

Confidentiality and Data Protection: All staff are required to respect the confidentiality of all matters that they may learn relating to their employment, other members of staff and to the general public. All staff are required to adhere to the regulations regarding the Data Protection Act 1998.

Safeguarding:

Autism Bedfordshire is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults in its care. The Development Officer is often required to be the named officer for groups they are overseeing and attend relevant training.

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 including the completion of DBS check.

Equal opportunities and diversity:

Autism Bedfordshire is an equal opportunities employer. The aims of the equal opportunities policy is to ensure that no job applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of race, colour, nationality, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, age, religion or any disability nor disadvantaged by conditions or requirements which cannot be shown to be justifiable.