Positive Behaviour Support Practitioner - Part Time

The Methodist Church in Britain; West of England; On-site; GBP 14,000 - 19,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Extensive training

Professional and wellbeing support

Opportunities for professional develop

Job summary

M.R. Trust is seeking a part-time support worker to assist one autistic man with a mild learning disability. Core work includes social and emotional support on countryside walks, plus planning home activities and calm support during distress.

This role requires a full driving licence, own vehicle, and good fitness. You'll provide 2:1 community support, occasional sleep-ins, evenings and weekends, and contribute to daily routines with tailored activities and safety planning.

Qualifications

• At least 1 year's professional experience supporting or teaching people with autism, learning disabilities, brain injury or mental health conditions.
• Experience supporting adults with behaviours of concern, including physically aggressive behaviours.
• Knowledge and understanding of autism.
• Full driving licence and access to own vehicle.

Responsibilities

• Provide social, emotional and practical support on countryside walks and community outings, advocating for him and applying Mental Capacity Act and positive risk principles
• Drive the client and his support practitioner to activities, or navigate on car journeys, and use OS maps on walks
• Listen to and empathise with the client, supporting him to express his thoughts, feelings, needs and preferences
• Plan and run meaningful home activities such as cooking, gardening, literacy, computer use and home maintenance, building his independence
• Provide calm emotional support and trained physical intervention during distress, following M.R. Trust policy and risk plans
• Support him to manage anxiety using strategies from his Positive Behaviour Support Plan
• Provide 2:1 support in the community and 2:1 or 1:1 at home, according to assessed need and ongoing risk assessment, including the annual 7-night holiday
• Prepare individually tailored learning materials such as literacy worksheets and easy read recipes
• Plan weekly activities and outings with the client, family and team so his days are structured
• Offer new activities and social situations, using social stories and visual aids to build confidence
• Work with his family, care team and other professionals, following care plans to ensure consistent support
• Record and share important information across the team, attend training and supervision, and protect the confidentiality of the client and his family

Skills

Empathy

Calm under pressure

Organisation

Communication

Lesson planning

Cooking basics

Education

RQF Level 3 qualification

Job description

Part-time post with the M.R. Trust, a small team that manages a local authority direct payment to support one autistic man with a mild learning disability. Core work is social and emotional support on countryside walks, plus planning home activities such as cooking and gardening, with calm support during distress. The role includes 2:1 community support, a weekly sleep-in, some evening and weekend hours and a yearly holiday. Candidates need a full driving licence, their own vehicle and good physical fitness.

What the job involves

• Provide social, emotional and practical support on countryside walks and community outings, advocating for him and applying Mental Capacity Act and positive risk principles
• Drive the client and his support practitioner to activities, or navigate on car journeys, and use OS maps on walks
• Listen to and empathise with the client, supporting him to express his thoughts, feelings, needs and preferences
• Plan and run meaningful home activities such as cooking, gardening, literacy, computer use and home maintenance, building his independence
• Provide calm emotional support and trained physical intervention during distress, following M.R. Trust policy and risk plans
• Support him to manage anxiety using strategies from his Positive Behaviour Support Plan
• Provide 2:1 support in the community and 2:1 or 1:1 at home, according to assessed need and ongoing risk assessment, including the annual 7-night holiday
• Prepare individually tailored learning materials such as literacy worksheets and easy read recipes
• Plan weekly activities and outings with the client, family and team so his days are structured
• Offer new activities and social situations, using social stories and visual aids to build confidence
• Work with his family, care team and other professionals, following care plans to ensure consistent support
• Record and share important information across the team, attend training and supervision, and protect the confidentiality of the client and his family

What’s required

Experience

• At least 1 year's professional experience supporting or teaching people with autism, learning disabilities, brain injury or mental health conditions
• Experience supporting adults with behaviours of concern, including physically aggressive behaviours
• Knowledge and understanding of autism

Skills & knowledge

• Highly empathetic and emotionally aware
• Calm, sound judgement under pressure, including exposure to mild to moderate physical aggression
• Good organisation and forward planning
• Good listening, communication and team working skills
• Able to plan and run learning sessions in literacy, basic IT, carpentry, gardening or home maintenance
• Confident cooking and able to support new recipes

Checks & eligibility

• Full driving licence and access to own vehicle, willing to drive in towns and on motorways

Other

• Commitment to the values and aims of the M.R. Trust
• Willing to follow care plans and confidentiality procedures
• Willing to work regular hours including some evenings, weekends and a weekly sleep-in
• Physically fit to walk up to 4 miles at a brisk pace over hills and muddy ground
• Own smartphone, PC and email
• Intention to remain in post for at least two years

Nice to have

• Basic counselling skills
• Basic knowledge of data protection and safe information sharing
• Map reading and navigation skills, or ability to develop them
• Experience teaching or helping adults with learning disabilities
• Experience supporting people with autism
• Understanding of how emotional regulation and environmental factors contribute to distress
• Experience of providing emotional support
• RQF Level 3 qualification or above, ideally in Autism, PBS, Psychology, Teaching, Counselling or Social Care

What’s offered

• Extensive training
• Professional and wellbeing support
• Opportunities for professional development