Specialist Support Worker for autistic people and people with learning disabilities

SARSAS; Taunton; Hybrid; GBP 28,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

A community support organization in Taunton is seeking a Specialist Support Worker to provide emotional and practical support to autistic survivors of sexual violence. This permanent role involves holding a caseload, facilitating workshops, and conducting assessments. The ideal candidate will have experience in trauma support and a passion for advocacy, working 22.5 hours per week with the possibility of home working up to 30% of the time.

Qualifications

• Experience of working with people who have experienced trauma.
• Understanding of the complexities of supporting clients with multiple needs.
• Passion for working with survivors of sexual violence.

Responsibilities

• Hold a caseload providing advocacy support for autistic survivors.
• Facilitate workshops and group support.
• Carry out needs assessments for support.

Skills

Experience with trauma

Building empathic relationships

Knowledge of partner agencies

Advocacy skills

Psychoeducational tools experience

Job description

Overview

We are offering a rewarding opportunity to join the SARSAS team as a Specialist Support Worker. You will work with people who are autistic and/or have learning disabilities who have experienced rape or sexual violence. The role involves one-to-one and group work support within a specialist service.

Responsibilities

• Hold a caseload of clients, providing emotional, practical and advocacy support for autistic survivors and survivors with learning disabilities.
• Support may include issues around housing, debt, relationships, managing trauma responses, and daily coping tools and techniques.
• Carry out needs and risk assessments to determine the most appropriate pathways of support.
• Facilitate workshops and group work, and participate in peer support for survivors of sexual violence.
• Carry out assessments for support and contribute to service planning and delivery.
• Travel regularly across Somerset, working independently in SARSAS hub spaces or community settings.

About You

• Experience of working with people who have experienced trauma.
• An understanding of the complexities of working with clients with multiple support needs; ability to build positive and empathic relationships with autistic clients and clients with learning disabilities.
• Passionate about working with survivors of sexual violence; working knowledge of the impacts of trauma and barriers faced by autistic clients and clients with learning disabilities in accessing support.
• Ability to support and empower clients through liaison, advocacy and psychoeducational tools, enabling progress in health, wellbeing, safety, relationships, confidence, employment and community integration.
• Knowledge of partner agencies and external pathways to support.

About SARSAS

SARSAS exists to relieve trauma and distress and help rebuild the lives of survivors who live in Somerset, Bristol, South Gloucestershire, North Somerset and BANES, who have experienced any form of sexual violence at any point in their lives. SARSAS campaigns to raise awareness about rape and sexual violence and works in partnership with local and national agencies to enable social change. Our work is guided by feminist principles and a trauma-informed approach.

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

We strive to reflect the communities we serve and actively encourage applicants with protected characteristics to apply. We are committed to inclusive recruitment and to ensuring fair treatment throughout the process. Reasonable adjustments can be made for interviewing; please highlight any adjustments needed to participate in the recruitment process.

Contract Information

Salary: £28,065 (Full-time equivalent)

Hours: 22.5 hours per week. May require occasional flexible working (e.g., workshops/events/training).

Based: Taunton with travel throughout Somerset. Up to 30% of hours per week may be worked from home.

Contract: Permanent. Applicants will undergo an enhanced criminal record check before employment starts.

How to Apply

Closing date for applications is Midnight on Wednesday 29 October 2025. Interviews will be held in person in our Taunton hub. For more information and to download an application pack, visit our website: https://www.sarsas.org.uk/get-involved/recruitment/.

If you have questions, please contact [e-mail] or call 0117 929 9556 and speak to Laura Fitzgerald, HR Administrator (Bristol office).