Autism West Midlands is the leading charity in the region for autistic adults, children and young people as well as offering families support and guidance. We use our expertise to enrich the lives of autistic people and those who love and care for them. Our passionate, expert staff and volunteers work across all age groups and abilities, by providing personalised support.
Where will you be working?
Autism West Midland’s Key Worker Service is an exciting and relatively new project working in partnership with Birmingham and Solihull NHS Mental Health Trust to deliver a dynamic service for autistic adults who are at risk of admission to inpatient services or who require additional support to help assist quicker discharge from inpatient service.
The Key Worker Service provides enhanced coordination of care and additional autism related focus in the support of autistic adults, who also have mental health needs. This project helps to build better understanding of a person’s autism related needs with the aim of better mental health outcomes and supporting neurodiverse people to remain living at home, in the community and preventing avoidable admissions to inpatient mental health services.
The post holder will need flexibility to work as part of a small team including the need to offer support out of office hours. This is a Monday to Friday role.
A full driving licence and access to a car is essential for this role.
Key aspects of the Senior Key Worker role:
- Provision of day-to-day supervision and support for a team of Key Workers.
- Represent and lead the Key Worker service.
- Develop, monitor and manage systems and processes to support the collation of data to form reports and evidence outcomes and impact.
- Promote the service and network with a range of health professionals.
- Presenting information on behalf of Autism West Midlands at key meetings.
- Chair team meetings, carry out regular supervision and appraisals.
- Work alongside Service Manager in developing the service.
- Monitor and manage quality and performance of service and staff.
- To be a key point of contact for autistic adults allocated to you, identifying gaps in their support and coordinating efforts to bridge those gaps. The Senior Key Worker will hold a small caseload and be available to cover absences when required.
- To work closely with inpatient settings, local mental health teams (including crisis teams), social care and other organisations involved to ensure that the system is working in a coordinated and joined up way for the person, helping to reduce any blockages/barriers to accessing support.
- When necessary, advocate on behalf of a person based upon their preferences, choices and wishes.
- Offer autism informed Coordination around the support, care and treatment offered to people in the mental health system
- Promotion of multidisciplinary approaches and good practice in relation to the needs of each person supported in the service.
What we are looking for from you as a Senior Key Worker:
- Experience of leading and developing services.
- A high level of interpersonal skills that can be utilised to influence others, advocate on behalf of the service and the person being supported.
- Experience and skills in developing processes and systems that help capture outcomes, promote safe practice and enable the service to demonstrate impact and value for money.
- A relevant qualification related to Autism or Mental Health or associated field or discipline
- Knowledge of how autism and mental health challenges may interplay.
- Knowledge of inpatient and community services and the challenges that exist in coordinating adult care and support.
- A good understanding of a variety of mental health issues and how difficulties can affect people.
- Specific experience of working with autistic adults with complex additional needs including mental health.
- Experience of carrying out needs. assessments, developing recovery-focused support plans and risk assessments.
- Have a genuine desire to improve the lives of autistic adults.
** If you would like to apply for this post, please provide a supporting statement to be considered – any application without a supporting statement will not be shortlisted for interview**
For an informal conversation should you wish to know more about the role please contact:
Henry Webster: 077881109486
Please send in the personal statement to [email protected]
In return we can offer you:
- £32,000 per annum
- A supportive management team
- Free DBS check paid for by Autism West Midlands
- Extensive training
Deadline: 19th June 2026