We really want to chat to as many people as possible who would like to explore working with us at Perth Autism Support and the opportunities our sector and organisation can provide.
Kathleen is one of our Autism Practitioners in our Children’s Service and she put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard..) to share her experience of working at PAS. In fact Kathleen loved it so much she came back a second time!!
If you would like to have a chat about any of the roles we have available then please get in touch at recruitment@perthautismsupport.org.uk or check out our vacancies and what staff benefits we have here:
Recruitment & Volunteering – Perth Autism Support
For now over to Kathleen….
“Come on, come on”, I mutter to myself as I wait for the traffic lights to change on the busy junction before my bus stop.
I can see it now, the back of the bus I’m wanting to catch. I have a vision flash through my head that I’ll make it to the back of the bus in time to see it pull off.
It’s 8pm, and although it’s a pretty mild night I don’t want to wait an hour for the next one.
I’ve made it, and as I tap my card and find a seat, I thank my lucky stars that I have such a great job. You see, I’m getting this bus to go home. Yeah, you read that right. It’s 8pm and I am going home from working a social care job.
I know it’s hard to believe once you’ve read the words “social care job”, but honestly, I’m going home. To my own home. To my own bed. I’m not travelling to someone else’s house to start a long night shift or a sleepover. I’m done for the day, and what a day I’ve had! The best day!
I’ve spent some time having a chat and a chill with a young person going through a little rough patch. I’ve spent a fair bit of time running around our small building trying to find the best hiding spot. I’ve created an origami fox, and a paper plan. I’ve played with some cars and built the tallest LEGO tower anyone could in 15 minutes. I’ve had such a fun and varied shift, all in just 4 hours.
It’s always the best day! Even when it’s been a tough one. No two shifts are the same.
And that’s what I love about working at Perth Autism Support – aside from working alongside the most fun people and really supportive team, aside from having the best fun with all the young people in our varied social groups from creating to chilling and more in between, aside from all that, I love the working hours.
I work 20 hours, over 5 days a week – I work 4 hour shifts after school every night. I don’t work a weekend, I don’t work super late at night, or super early in the morning. I don’t work crazy hours, or seemingly never-ending shifts. My 20 hours isn’t done in a 24-hour period. I get to not only see my house, but actually live in it between my shifts. This isn’t a normal 9 – 5. This isn’t like any average social care job. This is better. Far, far better. And I don’t know why anyone would pass up an opportunity like this!
And please don’t think you’re not able to do it because you don’t know the first thing about autism, because the training here is second to none! It’s fantastic, truly useful, and free for staff members.
Along with all the other benefits, PAS also has a really great staff wellbeing programme. I already mentioned my really supportive team, but I’ve got to say it again, and credit the 1:1 support and supervision sessions every staff member gets with their line manager. But all managers have an open-door policy, and you absolutely don’t need to be sitting around on your worries until it’s your turn for support and supervision.
It’s almost my stop now, but I’ve just time to pass on the recruitment details. You’ve got nothing to lose. I hope I’ve eased your worries about applying – I hope I’ve changed your mind.
And I really hope to not only see you on my team, but support you, and work alongside you as we get covered in glitter, and flour (on the same night!), and learn to fly paper planes, and do box breathing. I can’t wait to cause a traffic jam with you, and create the best LEGO structures Perth as ever seen.
Come work with the best team, for the best young people, at the best place. Come work at Perth Autism Support.
