INTERNAL APPLICANTS ONLY

We have an excellent opportunity for an ASSIST Manager to join our Short Breaks and Early Help team here at Wokingham Borough Council, on a full-time, permanent basis.

As the ASSIST Team Manager, you’ll play a pivotal role in shaping and delivering high-quality autism support, training and interventions across Wokingham Borough, helping families thrive through a proactive, strengths-based and neuro-affirming approach.

This is an exciting opportunity to manage and develop a skilled team of autism practitioners, driving service quality, innovation and continuous improvement. Working closely with partners across education, health, social care and the voluntary sector, you’ll champion effective multi-agency working, promote understanding of autism and neurodiversity, and ensure children and families receive coordinated, outcome-focused support.

We’re looking for an experienced and passionate leader with strong knowledge of autism, safeguarding and family-focused practice. You’ll bring the confidence to oversee complex work, support staff development, manage performance and influence service delivery, while ensuring the voices of children, young people and families remain at the heart of everything you do. In return, you'll have the opportunity to shape a highly valued specialist service and make a lasting impact across the local community.

Benefits

Not only is this an excellent opportunity, but it’s a fantastic time to join our team. You will receive an extensive range of employee benefits including: 

⭐ Generous Annual Leave - 31 days per annum (rising by 5 days with 5 years continued local government serviced), plus Bank Holidays

⭐Local Government Pension Scheme 

⭐GP Helpline - Available 7 days a week

⭐Employee Assistance Programme - Including a 24/7 Your Care Helpline

⭐Free Eye Tests and Flu Vaccines

⭐Free Onsite Gym - Located at Shute End Offices, Wokingham

⭐Salary Sacrifice Schemes - Including Car and Cycle to Work schemes

⭐Local & Lifestyle Discounts - Save on shopping, entertainment, dining out & more

⭐Move through Menopause Course

⭐Sports & Social Group Activities – Including running, football, cricket & more

⭐Learning & Development Opportunities

⭐Employee Networks

⭐And more!

 Key Responsibilities:

• Leading and managing the ASSIST team, ensuring high quality autism support, training and interventions for children, young people and their families.
• Driving service performance, quality assurance and continuous improvement to achieve positive outcomes.
• Providing leadership, supervision and professional development for a specialist team and volunteers.
• Offering oversight and guidance on complex cases, safeguarding concerns and high-risk situations.
• Developing effective partnerships with education, health, social care and voluntary sector organisations.
• Leading the delivery and quality assurance of autism-specific training programmes and interventions.
• Using data, feedback and professional insight to shape and improve services and support innovation.
• Managing service resources and budgets, including oversight of the Woodley Airfield Centre.
• Ensuring the voices of autistic children, young people and families influence service design and delivery.

 Candidate Requirements:

• Significant experience working with autistic children, young people and families.
• Experience leading, supervising and developing staff within a service environment.
• Strong knowledge of autism, neurodiversity and effective support strategies.
• Excellent communication, partnership-building and stakeholder engagement skills.
• A relevant degree or equivalent professional experience, alongside autism-specific training and a commitment to ongoing professional development

 Our Area:

Wokingham Borough is set in the heart of Berkshire with excellent transport links to Reading and central London. Our area comprises of a vibrant and historical market town, attractive villages, and miles of beautiful countryside. 

We’re home to a range of high performing schools, a host of international businesses and an incredible community. The borough has a strong local economy with accelerated growth, a range of excellent public facilities and low levels of crime, offering an exceptional quality of life. 

Click the link below and Apply Today! Alternatively, to arrange an informal discussion about the role, contact David Greene via email David.green@wokingham.gov.uk  (Strictly no agencies).

Closing date: Sunday 13^th September at 11pm

Interview date: W/C 14^th September (TBC)

AI in Applications:

We recognise that candidates may choose to use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support the preparation of their job applications. When used appropriately, AI can be a helpful aid in structuring responses, checking clarity, and improving presentation.

However, applications must reflect your own skills, experience and understanding. If an application appears to rely excessively on AI-generated content, it may not meet the required standard and could be rejected.

We encourage all applicants to ensure their submissions are authentic, tailored to the role, and clearly demonstrate their own knowledge, experience and suitability.

If your application is shortlisted for an interview, you will be required to provide proof of your right to work in the UK at that stage. Additionally, successful candidates must present proof upon receiving a job offer.

Please note that all offers are conditional and subject to the satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks.

Please be aware that we will be reviewing the applications we receive on a daily basis, and we reserve the right to close the advert early if suitable candidates are identified.

Wokingham Borough Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff, other workers and volunteers to share this commitment. All successful candidates for this role will be subject to Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks along with other relevant employment checks.

Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we regret that we are unable to respond to every applicant individually.

If you do not hear from us within 4 weeks of the application closing date, please assume that your application has not been successful on this occasion.

We appreciate your interest in joining Wokingham Borough Council and thank you for taking the time to apply.

Wokingham is an equal opportunities employer.