North Support Coordinator

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Only applications emailed to funding@autismwairarapa.co.nz will be accepted. Please do NOT apply online! Applications close at 6pm on Waitangi Day, 6th February.

North Support Coordinator Autism Wairarapa Charitable Trust

Position Title: North Support Coordinator Term: Fixed Term (12 month), Part-time Position Hours: 15 Hours per week

Employment Agreement: Individual Employment Agreement Location: Wairarapa (Based in Masterton)

Our Organisation Autism is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition that affects cognitive, sensory, and social processing, changing the way people see the world and interact with others. It is a spectrum condition, which means that, while all people with autism share certain difficulties, their condition will affect them in different ways. Some people with autism can live relatively independent lives but others may have accompanying learning disabilities or other co-occurring conditions and need a lifetime of specialist support. No matter where a person sits on the spectrum of neurodiversity, it is part of human nature to connect with others, want friends, someone who knows and understands to share the highs and lows. AW is set up to provide a locally based community service - by locals for locals! We are here to connect individuals and families to support while navigating their own person journey.
Purpose of the Role On behalf of AW, the North Support Coordinator will provide a broad range of support including information, advice, education and connection. To address the communities need, AW will offer: 1. Information that can support families to advocate for their child at pre-school or school on an ongoing basis 2. Provide information about Neurodiversity for the wider community to increase understanding and awareness 3. Connect individuals or families to other agencies and support persons where appropriate 4. Connect families to social opportunities, workshops, seminars and courses for parents or children. 5. Ongoing family/whanau support by phone or in person 6. Work with families, community and other providers to create opportunities for neurodivergent people to connect and thrive.

Objectives – Whanau Services The Autism Wairarapa Support Coordinators are committed to:

• Providing a high-quality service for families in the Wairarapa with autism, ensuring the best outcomes for individuals and for the wider community.
• Positive interaction with families regardless of the client’s personal circumstances
• Empowering families in their neurodiversity journey
• Encouraging families to stay connected or reconnect as their needs change
• Networking in the wider community to ensure they are up to date with the latest information and can facilitate opportunities for families to upskill and connect with the community.
• Developing and maintaining respectful relationships with families, schools, social services and to establishing community partnerships.
• Advocate for the needs of families in community forums.

Key Tasks and Outcomes (Your Job) Family Support Key Tasks Outcomes To provide co-ordinated and managed services which enables individuals and families with Autism to be well supported.

(Note) This position shall not include any diagnostic work by the North Support Coordinator. This is completely outside the scope of this position. People are empowered to make informed decisions about the support they require and ongoing care.

Person Specification It is expected that the employee will be able to demonstrate the following personal skills and attributes, professional skills and knowledge.

• Experience in a service delivery organisation
• Demonstrate an understanding of the disability sector and ability to relate to people with disabilities in a positive and/or neuro-affirming manner.
• Display excellent networking skills and an in-depth knowledge of government, non-government and private sector services available within the community.
• Demonstrate the ability to work with individuals, family/whanau, health professionals and the wider community.
• Demonstrates and apply a person/family centred approach.
• Is committed to providing quality customer services.
• An ability to communicate effectively in written and verbal form, with a wide range of individuals and organisations.
• Excellent interpersonal skills - including the ability to develop a positive rapport with clients and stakeholders, listen to and empathise with clients and stakeholders, mediate, negotiate, manage conflict and work in a culturally sensitive manner.
• Knowledge of and commitment to organisational values policies and procedures and provide constructive feedback.
• Displays relationship management and leadership skills and has the skills required to empower others.
• Full Drivers Licence.
• Relevant computer skills i.e. Word, Excel, MS Outlook.