Autism Peer Support and Community Development Worker

Autism Peer Support and Community Development Worker

£41,133 0 £43,680 per annum
Hours: Full-time/Part-time (Job Share considered)
Contract: Fixed Term until 31st March 2027
 

About the Role

Newham is committed to creating a borough where autistic people are supported to fulfil their potential and live fulfilling, independent lives. This ambition is set out in the Autism Action Plan. The Plan outlines a shared, co-designed vision for empowerment, connection and inclusion, meaningful opportunities and improved health and wellbeing outcomes - placing people at the centre of decision-making and support. 

This role will support autistic residents to access services, participate in delivering the Autism Action Plan and co-produce service developments. 

We aim to make this role clear and accessible. If anything in this advert is unclear, you can contact us and we will explain it in a different way.

A key focus of this role is to reduce health inequalities for autistic residents.

This includes improving access to support, and health and care services. The role aims to make services easier to access and improve support in the community.

You will work with:

• Autistic residents
• Carers
• Community organisations
• Health and care services

Your role will include:

• Providing peer support and guidance
• Developing community networks
• Supporting engagement and co-production
• Helping improve local services

You will work both:

• Directly with residents
• With services and partners to improve support

What You’ll Be Doing

• Provide peer support, information, and guidance to autistic residents to support independence and wellbeing
• Develop and support peer support groups and community activities so residents can connect and support each other
• Support individuals to build confidence and take part in opportunities
• Plan and deliver events and awareness activities (e.g. World Autism Acceptance Month)
• Lead engagement and co-production activities so autistic residents shape services and priorities
• Produce accessible communications (e.g. newsletters, online content)
• Build partnerships with local services, including health and diagnostic pathways
• Support development of networks (e.g. Autism Champions) to improve autism-friendly practice
• Contribute to service improvement through feedback, data, and reporting

About You

We are looking for someone who:

• Has lived experience as an autistic person
• Is committed to co-production, inclusion, and strengths-based approaches
• Can communicate clearly and build positive relationships
• Can work independently and as part of a team
• Is motivated to improve outcomes for autistic residents
• Can support people with a range of needs
• Is flexible, creative, and person-centred

Job Share & Flexible Working

This role is open to job share arrangements, with responsibilities able to be shared and adapted across postholders to support flexible working and effective delivery.

Our Commitment to Inclusion

We want the recruitment process to be clear, fair, and supportive.

We are committed to creating an inclusive and supportive workplace.

We strongly encourage applications from autistic people.

We will provide:

• Reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process
• interview questions or topics in advance to support preparation
• extra time for interview responses or written tasks 
• clear, structured interview schedules in advance, including timings and who will be present 

information about the environment (e.g. lighting, noise 

Due to the high volume of application the vacancy may close early.

Please view JD here

closing date: 16th August 2026

We are committed to creating an inclusive, anti-racist environment for all. When you apply for a job at Newham, your application is considered on its merits regardless of your age, disability, ethnicity, faith, gender identity or sexual orientation. If you share our vision and values, and you bring the experience and skills we need, that’s all that matters to us.

The London Borough of Newham has important responsibilities for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. If you are appointed to a job that involves working with these groups, you may be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

The personal information we have collected from you will be shared with Cifas who will use it to prevent fraud, other unlawful or dishonest conduct, malpractice, and other seriously improper conduct. If any of these are detected you could be refused certain services or employment. Your personal information will also be used to verify your identity. Further details of how your information will be used by us and Cifas, and your data protection rights, can be found by https://www.cifas.org.uk/fpn.