Scottish Autism is dedicated to enabling autistic people to lead happy, healthy and fulfilling lives. We believe in the power of relationships to transform the lives of the people we support. We help build a more caring, compassionate, and inclusive Scotland, relationship by relationship. Our people work in teams, supporting each other through the challenges and triumphs that happen every day. Our organisation is our people, and the human qualities they bring to their roles.

Centre for Practice Innovation:

The Centre for Practice Innovation is our organisational hub for sharing knowledge and advocating for inclusive practice and societal change. We undertake participatory, practice-focused research and seek to facilitate research activity that is compatible with our organisational values and advances our mission. Our national and international networks and partnerships are developed through the Centre. Additionally, the Centre works to influence policy and legislation that will improve the lives of autistic people in Scotland. At any one time we may be running three or four research projects in collaboration with others. We engage with a range of external stakeholders and undertake evaluation and knowledge exchange activities that draw on our team’s research skills.

The Role:

Under the leadership of the Director of Practice and Innovation, you will coordinate and carry out a range of research activities. You will facilitate the involvement of our supported people and staff in participatory research as co-producers of evidence that will influence good support practice. You will also support collaborations with other organisations and academic partners and will help us to promote research that meaningfully involves and benefits autistic people and their families.

Scottish Autism offers you:

We are proud to offer an extensive benefits package to our colleagues. Find out more HERE

For further information or an informal discussion, please contact Joe Long, Director of Practice and Innovation - joseph.long@scottishautism.org

We value diversity and welcome applications from those with lived experience of autism.

Are you working in a Health & Safety role and looking for a new challenge?

Would you like to work for an organisation where your contribution supports autistic people to lead independent and fulfilling lives?

As Regional Health & Safety Lead you would be responsible for the effective and efficient management of all Health of Safety in Scotland. Ensuring that the services and staff in Scotland are supported to deliver an effective, efficient and safe service through the coordination and management of Autism Initiatives’ property and facilities.

The ideal candidate will have a working knowledge of health & safety, property/facilities management and managing projects, and will be confident liaising with staff and external contacts. The post holder will be expected to travel regularly to our services throughout Scotland to conduct inspections and property visits.

The successful candidate must be willing to apply for a Basic Disclosure through Disclosure Scotland. Autism Initiatives will cover the cost of the application.

We are excited to share this great opportunity to join our Board of Directors.

It is a very important time for Cornerstone with our current strategy ‘Future proofing Cornerstone’ coming to an end in 2025 we begin looking ahead, understanding the landscape in which we operate and developing a new strategy which will allow us to continue providing high quality care and support to people with autism, learning disabilities and other support needs across Scotland.

As a member of our Board, you will be instrumental in guiding the strategic future of the charity and ensuring exemplary governance and fiscal control. The main Board meets four times a year and board members will be expected to be a member of one of the sub committees. You will also act as a local ambassador for Cornerstone.

We are keen to hear from those with skills, knowledge and experience in one or more of the following areas who feel they can make a positive contribution to our charitable activities: -

Senior management experience in the social work / social care sector preferably with strategic planning skills

Accountancy/financial experience preferably at management level

Personal experience of providing care and support of a relative or carer of a person who has experience of care

About Us

Cornerstone is one of Scotland’s largest charities and is a leading provider of social care services to more than 1,200 adults and young people with disabilities and other support needs. We employ over 1,900 people across Scotland and are fully committed to delivering high quality care and support.

In addition, we also operate our Cornerstone Self-Directed Support service. Across this service, we have over 200 Personal Assistants on our books and approximately 1000 active clients.

We’re committed to building a workforce that represents the true diversity of Scotland, where every single one of our colleagues feel enabled to deliver their best. We’re proud to be an equal opportunities employer who selects the best person for the job. We value the diversity of our workforce and work hard to create an inclusive environment where each individual can bring their unique skills, experiences and ideas to the table to help us grow, bring create innovative solutions and develop of our people. We are keen to receive applications for board position that reflect the diversity of the organisation.

We welcome applications from anywhere in Scotland and are particularly interested in receiving applications from women and individuals from an ethnically diverse background as they are currently under-represented on our Board.

There is no remuneration attached to the role but expenses will be reimbursed.