VACANCIES- We are HIRING!
Opportunities to join our award-winning team!
We are growing and looking for experienced and motivated staff to join our team. If you can nurture, enable, and inspire young people with autism – we want to hear from you!
Current Vacancies
Friday Youth Group Coordinator (Friday evenings)
Salary: £11.88 per hour, 3.75 hours per week.
Hours: Fridays 6PM – 9PM. Term Time only, plus additional planning time.
Location: Wolvercote, Oxford
Closing Date: We are accepting applications, until the post is filled.
We are looking for a reliable and organised Youth Group Coordinator to lead our youth group for 13-16 year olds with Asperger’s Syndrome/High Functioning Autism. The post holder will be responsible for running the youth group, planning and organising activities, line manage a Youth Support Worker and volunteers, produce simple quarterly reports, and liaise with parent/carers and family support staff.
Weekly working hours are Friday 6PM – 9PM, term-time only (39 weeks per year) plus an additional 0.75 hours per week for planning, or attending occasional staff meetings or training.
Professional experience of working with young people on the autism spectrum in a group setting is essential.
The successful candidate must be able to facilitate group work with young people on the autism spectrum as well as parents and professionals; be very organised, be a good leader, use initiative; manage a small team, and plan and evaluate their work.
To Apply:
Please refer to the Job Description (a PDF will open):
→ Job Description and Person Specification: Friday Youth Group CoordinatorDownload and complete the Application Form here
Complete … Read more »
Oxfordshire Autism Alert Cards
FREE Credit card sized Autism Alert Cards
for under 18’s – see below if you want a card for an adult
For those with a child with autism you may already been in a position where you have had to explain the nature of autism and its associated behaviours.
The FREE credit card sized Autism Alert Card can be carried at all times and can be displayed if you or your child/young person are in a situation where you cannot easily explain about the condition or you need assistance.
The card will also assist any police or emergency service to identify that they are engaging with someone who has autism.
The Oxfordshire Alert Cards gives:
- Basic information about autism.
- Cardholders name.
- Names and telephone numbers of 2 emergency contacts (this could be a family member, carer or friend).
Ways to use the Card
- Carry your card whenever you go out
- Show your alert card when you need help or to give an explanation
- Show the card to NHS staff, police etc to tell them your child/you are on the spectrum
- Show the card to relevant people when you need assistance.
To obtain one of these cards
We have secured some funding, so currently the card is completely free and we provide the postage and packaging (this may change in the future).
Please email us at info@afso.org.uk and include the following information:
Name of Child
Child’s Date of birth
Your name
Your Postal Address (including postcode)
District Council area: SODC, VOWH, Cherwell, West or City
For more information Oxfordshire Autism Alert Card
If you want a card for an adult, please contact: OAADSS, Autism at Kingwood, Baptist House Office, 129 Broadway, Didcot, OX11 8XD
Coronavirus Update
A message to our Community:
Coronavirus and AFSO
Dear All
During the Coronavirus pandemic we are still here to support you. We are offering our “lifeline” advice, support and information via technology such as the phone, email, Skype, Zoom etc.
The office in Abingdon is currently closed, so please do contact us by phone or email if you have questions or need support, and we will be happy to help.
We are very active on social media – so please do Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter using the links below.
Sadly all face-to-face activities are suspended until further notice. This includes youth groups, courses, and Easter holiday activities.
We will continue to monitor and review the situation in accordance with national guidance.
Keep safe and well, in body and mind.
Best wishes
The AFSO team
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/childrenintouch.afs
Twitter: https://twitter.com/autismAFS
Our New Address and Phone number
***NEWS***
We have moved! We haven’t had a chance to update all our referral and application forms yet, but please use the new contact details.
Our new address is:
Autism Family Support Oxfordshire
c/o Abingdon Community Support Service
Crabtree Place
Off Audlett Drive
Abingdon
OX14 3GD
Our new telephone number is: 01235 754700
There will be a delay in replying to all emails and phone messages while we settle in. We apologise for any inconvenience.
A new space for Autism
Our new premises will be a fabulous new space for autism in Oxfordshire. We will soon be sending you more information about this exciting development and how it can help you.
Please support us
Over the next few months we will be fundraising to be able to do more for our children and families – because the demand for our work is so high and we want to continue to be there for all of you.
We would live you to help us with fundraising and volunteering, and will send you more details about how to get involved shortly. We are looking for enthusiastic Casual Support Workers to assist with our Holiday Activities for 8-17 year olds with Asperger Syndrome/higher functioning autism. You will support young people to participate in activities, assist with running activities, and facilitate social skills and friendships.
For details of what we do and new referrals
- To refer a new child/young person: You can still make referrals by downloading a form from this website and sending it back to us at the new postal address, or emailing it back to info@afso.org.uk Please note that processing of new referrals will be delayed during our office move.
- General information: please look at this website
- Courses: to enquire about our courses, … Read more »
Easter Activities 2021 **UPDATE**
NB Our face to face activity days are now FULL
There are still some spaces on our virtual activities
Easter Activities are back …..
This year we are running a mix of
virtual online sessions
and
(socially distanced!) Activity Days
The activities and format will be similar to last summer – keeping everyone safe whilst enjoying the usual fun and opportunities to make friends.
❗ This year you should only apply for our activity days if your child/young person is not accessing other activities, from other providers, to limit any potential spread between groups.
Check out our
Easter Newsletter
for full details
LAST DATE FOR APPLICATIONS IS
Monday 15th March 2021
Click the Newsletter and Application Form links below
(opens in separate PDF and Word documents):
2021 Easter Newsletter
2021 Easter Application Form
If you have any queries please contact us by email: info@afso.org.uk
If your child can not access our Activities – please see the Family Information Directory
which lists other organisations providing activities during school holidays, as well a lot more information you may find useful.