Sharon Didrichsen

Connect4 Social Impact Partner- Invitation for Expressions of Interest

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Social Impact Partner Connect4

 

Specialisterne NI is a not for private profit social enterprise which is part of the Specialisterne international network, which has the aim of 1 million careers for autistic people. Specialisterne NI has worked for 6 years to support autistic people to progress in careers. In the 16 years of Specialisterne’s endeavours to support autistic people, Specialisterne is frequently referenced in research as a case study of good practice.

For 2 years Specialisterne NI’s team of Autism Consultants have engaged autistic young people across 10 schools. The young people’s voices and experiences have shaped Connect4, a new 3-year National Lottery Funded programme which comes directly from autistic young people’s aspirations to have fun and connect more with others, which includes other autistic young people. We are looking for a Social Impact partner to come with us on this and other journeys. You are welcome to apply if you have a curiosity-led depth of knowledge in social impact measurement, dislike tick boxes, and have experience in and tools to listen to the voices of young people, who may use different ways to get a message across. The Social impact Partner will journey with Connect4 participants and the Specialisterne NI team to provide:

  • An independent space for participants (which include autistic young people, non-autistic young people, and school staff) to ask any questions regarding the programme
  • Feeding back any changes participants want to participants and the Connect4 team, which supports Specialisterne’s Lean cycle of listening and implementing change.
  • An independent measure of is anyone better off, and how could participants be even better off?
  • With participants develop a measure of the whole school and societal benefits of creating an in-school and inter-school autistic community, which may include an economic value
  • An annual report for participants and others regarding the Connect4 journey and evolving impact, including recommendations
  • Advice and guidance to Specialisterne NI on further developing internal social impact tools

As we are at the start of this journey, and Connect4 is across 10 schools, we do not know how many days per year the independent role will involve. We are inviting interested parties to submit an expression of interest, which details

  1. Why you think you or your organisation are best positioned to partner with Specialisterne NI on the Connect 4 programme as it’s Social Impact Partner
  2. What tools and methodologies you would suggest.
  3. An outline of the first year’s activities as the Connect4 Social Impact Partner
  4. Examples of relevant previous experience you may have, which includes examples of social impact reports you have completed.
  5. What qualifications you may have, and courses or training completed related to social impact measurement.
  6. What experience you have
    1. with young people,
    2. with autistic people,
    3. with people who face barriers to having their voice listened to and acted upon.
  7. Daily rate and any other cost considerations.

Please send an expression of interest before 31 January 2020 to Sharon Didrichsen at Sharond@specialisterne.com

Mobile 07565 936191

Connect4 is funded by the National Community Lottery Fund as part of its Empowering Young People programme. https://www.specialisterneni.com/launching-connect4/

 

 

 

Sharon Didrichsen

Just Right, a well-being programme for autistic students

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Specialisterne NI is delighted to be supported by the Public Health Agency through the CLEAR Project to deliver Just Right, a well-being programme designed to support autistic students at college or university to learn more about skills and autistic strategies to manage college life and get ready for work.

Just Right is made up of 3 different activities:

  • A Lego Mindstorms Workshop, where you build robots in small teams and the Specialisterne Autism specialist team give you a profile of skills related to working in a team, managing a task and self-management, which can help you develop strategies for college and work
  • Thriving Workshops- a 5 module autistic well-being programme, developed by Autism Specialists Tony Attwood and Michelle Garnett, with Specialisterne Australia. Specialisterne. Thriving includes videos and individual workbooks and covers the following:
    • Stress and sensory management tools
    • Social tools
    • Thinking tools
    • Organisational tools
    • Creating a Plan to Thrive
  • Just Right participants will also have opportunity to enjoy board games together and receive individual support to feel more ready for college and work.

Specialisterne NI is an Autism at Work specialist provider, which is part of the international Specialisterne network, which has worked over 15 countries for 15 years to support 1 million autistic people to secure a next career step. In N Ireland Specialisterne is privileged to work with leading employers across a range of job sectors, and to facilitate autistic communities for school pupils and adults on the autistic spectrum. The Specialisterne NI team have all studied autism at university and use this knowledge, and daily practical learning with autistic people, to help you develop strategies to thrive.

For further information regarding Just Right, contact Sharond@specialisterne.com Mobile 07565 936191

Just Right is supported by the Public Health Agency through the CLEAR Project

 

Sharon Didrichsen

Launching Connect4, a new in-school and inter-school autistic community

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This week Specialisterne NI  are celebrating the launch of Connect4, a new in-school and inter-school autistic community which has been designed by 100 autistic young people across 10 secondary schools in N Ireland. The programme is called Connect4 as the young people designed it to have fun and connect with others, including other autistic young people, both in their own school and in other schools. Connect4 is funded by the National Community Lottery Fund as part of its Empowering Young People programme.

What does Connect4 involve?

Connect4 is made up of ICONNECT, INTERCONNECT and WE CONNECT programme activities. All activities are hop-on and hop-off, which means participants get to take part when it suits them and their studies.

ICONNECT

  • In individual and group sessions participants learn how to connect more with others through role-play, games and discussion

INTERCONNECT

  • Interest Groups- lunchtime or after-school groups and activities.
  • Inter-school monthly group workshops.
  • Summer programme- trips and interest groups over the summer.

WE CONNECT

  • Connect4 sessions for teaching and support staff where staff learn what Connect4 participants would like them to know
  • ‘Bring a friend’ workshops where participants can invite non-autistic pupils
  • Future Connect workshops when participants learn from employer mentors, including autistic mentors, who share how you can best get ready for work, and what it is like to be an autistic adult in N Ireland and in other countries.

Isn’t that 3 parts- Connect3?

It is 3 parts! The Connect4 of the title refers to the small groups of shared interests, e.g. Fortnite, Oculus VR, stage make-up, acting, Lego League, board games, or football. Having at least 3 other young people who share your interest is pretty cool, although Connect10 was suggested!

Won’t Connect4 affect my studies?

We hope it will (positively)! The Connect4 team liaise with the school staff so that it fits in with school life and is a win-win. Teaching staff and classroom assistants who took part in the 2 year pilots report that participants performed better in their studies. They thought this was because participants seemed more confident and looked forward to taking part in the workshops.

Why Connect4?

Connect4 connects autistic young people across schools to have fun together and learn from each other.

This fits in with the National Lottery Community Fund, ‘Empowering Young People’s aims which are that

  • Young people will have more skills they need for the future.
  • Young people will have better relationships with their support networks and communities.
  • Young people will have improved health and well-being.

Who leads Connect4?

The participants! The most common word in young people’s feedback so far has been fun! The Connect4 team listen to Connect4 participants who decide what activities they want to do and when, on an ongoing basis, In this way participants create their own programme which is important as it takes away some stress ‘ When you do something there is not a lot of stress.’

Who is Specialisterne NI?

Specialisterne NI is part of an international network working across 15 countries for 15 years to help autistic people to get ready for, secure and sustain rewarding careers. Specialisterne pioneered Autism at Work which is now a major international movement. In N Ireland, Specialisterne has an autistic adult community, 2gether, who inspired Connect4 as a participant suggested they would have liked to have started 2gether earlier. 2gether is funded by the National Lottery Community Fund and is in it’s 3rd year. All the Connect4 team have studied autism at university and have a passion for and experience in supporting autistic people to achieve what they want in life, from starting out in a new career to getting your message across.

Connect4 will connect autistic young people to each other as well as other autistic communities of young people in other parts of the world, including the amazing I CAN network in Australia.

How do I take part?

There are 50 places per year in Connect4. To find out more or to take part, contact Elaine Stephens at Elaine.stephens@specialisterne.com or ask your school SENCO to contact Elaine.

Would you like to join our team? We are currently recruiting the Connect4 team, see details https://www.specialisterneni.com/connect4jobroles/

We look forward to hearing from you!

Sharon Didrichsen

We are recruiting a new team! Senior Autism Consultant and Autism Consultants- Connect4, a ground-breaking new in-school and inter-school autistic community programme designed by 100 autistic pupils.

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Specialisterne Northern Ireland is an Autism at Work consultancy, which opened in Belfast in April 2014. As part of the Specialisterne International Network, which spans 15 countries for 15 years, and which pioneered the Autism at Work movement, we aim to support autistic people to get ready for, secure, and sustain, rewarding careers.

We are excited to launch Connect4, a ground-breaking new in-schools and inter-schools autistic community programme which has been designed by 100 autistic pupils across 10 schools. If you are passionate about autism, enjoy listening to autistic young people and following the lead of autistic young people, and you would like to make a difference in the experience of school for autistic young people, we would like to invite you to apply to join the new Connect4 team.

This is an excellent opportunity to join a unique not-for-private-profit organisation in Northern Ireland where you will have the opportunity to work with a small team of autism specialists seeking to develop new tools and techniques which support the career development and well-being of autistic people. Connected to initiatives for autistic young people worldwide, this is an opportunity to innovate in relation to the well-being of autistic young people by contributing to a new model of inclusion in mainstream schools, designed by autistic young people themselves.

Connect4 is a 3 year programme which is funded by the National Lottery Community Fund. It is part of the Empowering Young People programme of the National Lottery Community Fund.

Job Title: Senior Autism Consultant and Autism Consultants- Connect4, a groundbreaking new in-school and inter-school programme designed by 100 autistic pupils. (Full-time hours (37.5 hours) and part-time hours (18.75 hours)).

The Connect4 programme was designed following 2 years consultation with 100 autistic young people and consultation with school staff, including classroom assistants, SENCOs, and teaching teams. As a result, Connect4 will support 50+ autistic young people per year who are in mainstream schools or who are home-schooled, to get ready to connect with each other, have more opportunities to connect with each other through fun activities, and will inform teaching and support staff and peers in what autistic young people would like them to know.

Connect4 activities will take place in-school and at Specialisterne NI. The Connect4 team of 5 will be composed of Autism Consultants and Senior Autism Consultants who are working full-time or part-time.

Overview: Senior Autism Consultant, Connect4

The Connect4 Senior Autism Consultant will deliver participant support and will be involved in Connect4 programme delivery. The Connect4 Senior Autism Consultant will oversee the linking of Connect4 into school life, so that Connect4 supports pupils to experience success in the school context. Specifically, the Connect4 Senior Autism Consultant will be responsible for:

Overseeing

  • Participant activity and progress, ensuring Connect4 complements and adds to school life
  • Co-ordinating times of sessions in schools

Delivery

  • Delivery on all aspects of Connect4 including:

ICONNECT

  • 1-1 and group sessions, which support participants to develop strategies to connect with others
  • Connect4 curriculum development, responsive to participants’ evolving needs

INTERCONNECT

  • Interest Groups- lunchtime or after-school groups and activities
  • Inter-school monthly group workshops
  • Summer programme, supporting participants to connect with others on trips and interest groups

WE CONNECT

  • Teaching /support staff Connect4 sessions
  • Peer workshops
  • Future Connect – employer mentor activities

Design

  • Utilising Autism experience and expertise to contribute to ongoing project design.
  • Contribute to international research forums and professional networks, research what is being done to support Autistic people across the world. Report on these to team and to participant panel.
  • Support people in the lead.
  • Leading panel meetings
  • Collating participant feedback.
  • Maintaining social impact records.

Ethos

The Connect4 Autism Consultant will ensure all project activities reflect Empowering Young People core outcomes so that:

  • Young people will have more skills they need for the future, including more opportunities to connect with autistic young people at their and other schools.
  • Young people will have better relationships with their support networks and communities, these support networks and communities include other autistic young people, non-autistic peers, staff at school.
  • Young people will have improved health and well-being.

Person Specification

Essential

  • Study in a relevant subject area at undergraduate or post graduate level (this includes currently studying or completed). Examples of relevant study include Atypical Development, Psychology, Education, Community, Autism Spectrum related, Sensory Integration. Other subject areas will also be considered in terms of relevance.
  • Demonstrated interest in and knowledge of autism.
  • Open to learn and to research new tools and techniques that may support Connect4 programme participants to secure Connect4 goals.
  • Aptitude for empowering autistic young people by facilitating autistic people leading.

Desirable

  • Demonstrated in-depth knowledge of autism.
  • Experience in supporting children, young people, or adults on the autistic spectrum to achieve the changes they want.
  • Experience in and aptitude for empowering autistic young people by facilitating autistic people leading.
  • Experience in supporting people in small groups.
  • Experience in documentation of work to a high standard.
  • An aptitude for or willingness to learn programming elements of Lego Mindstorms (applies to one of the roles available).
  • Experience of working in a school environment.
  • A driving licence or ability to travel to participating schools when required (and within working hours).

Terms and Conditions
• 37.5 hours weekly for full-time roles, 18.75 hours for part-time roles, times to be agreed with the successful candidate. Hours typically between 8.30am-4.30pm, Monday -Friday. Location: Based at the Specialisterne NI offices, Skainos, 239 Newtownards Road, Belfast.
•The position is fixed term and is expected to run to November 2022. Salary range: £25-28k, commensurate with experience. There is a 6-month induction plan with Autism Specialists, followed by ongoing learning and professional development.

• Specialisterne NI is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. Employment to this post is therefore subject to an Access NI Enhanced Check.
• Specialisterne NI is an equal opportunities employer.

The Connect4 programme is  funded by the National Lottery Community Fund.

Overview: Autism Consultant, Connect4

The Connect4 Autism Consultant will deliver participant support and will be involved in Connect4 project delivery. Specifically, the Connect4 Autism Consultant will be responsible for:

Delivery

ICONNECT

  • 1-1 and group sessions, which support participants to develop strategies to connect with others.

INTERCONNECT

  • Interest Groups- lunchtime or after school groups and activities
  • Inter-school monthly group workshops
  • Summer programme, supporting participants to connect with others on trips and interest groups

WE CONNECT

  • Peer workshops
  • Future Connect – employer mentor activities

Design

  • Utilising Autism experience and expertise to support participants to contribute to ongoing project design.
  • Contribute to international research forums and professional networks, research what is being done to support Autistic people across the world. Report on these to team and to participant panel.

Ethos

The Connect4 Autism Consultant will ensure all project activities reflect Empowering Young People core outcomes so that:

  • Young people will have more skills they need for the future, including more opportunities to connect with autistic young people at their and other schools.
  • Young people will have better relationships with their support networks and communities, these support networks and communities include other autistic young people, non-autistic peers, staff at school.
  • Young people will have improved health and well-being.

Person Specification

Essential

  • Study in a relevant subject area at undergraduate or post graduate level (this includes currently studying or completed). Examples of relevant study include Atypical Development, Psychology, Education, Community, Autism Spectrum related, Sensory Integration. Other subject areas will also be considered in terms of relevance.
  • Demonstrated interest in and knowledge of autism.
  • Open to learn and to research new tools and techniques that may support Connect4 programme participants to secure Connect4 goals.
  • Aptitude for empowering autistic young people by facilitating autistic people leading.

Desirable

  • Demonstrated in-depth knowledge of autism.
  • Experience in supporting children, young people, or adults on the autistic spectrum to achieve the changes they want.
  • Experience in supporting people in small groups.
  • Experience in documentation of work to a high standard.
  • An aptitude for or willingness to learn programming elements of Lego Mindstorms (applies to one of the roles available).
  • A driving licence or ability to travel to participating schools when required (and within working hours).

Terms and Conditions
• 37.5 hours weekly for full-time roles, 18.75 hours for part-time roles, times to be agreed with the successful candidate. Hours typically between 8.30am-4.30pm, Monday -Friday. Location: Based at the Specialisterne NI offices, Skainos, 239 Newtownards Road, Belfast.
•The position is fixed term and is expected to run to November 2022. Salary range: £20-24k, commensurate with experience. There is a 6-month induction plan with Autism Specialists, followed by ongoing learning and professional development.

• Specialisterne NI is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. Employment to this post is therefore subject to an Access NI Enhanced Check.
• Specialisterne NI is an equal opportunities employer.

The Connect4 programme is  funded by the National Lottery Community Fund.

Application Process
• Interested applicants should send a Curriculum Vitae to:
Sharon Didrichsen, Manager, Specialisterne NI
By email: sharond@specialisterne.com
Or by post to:
Sharon Didrichsen
Specialisterne NI
Skainos
239 Newtownards Road
Belfast
BT4 1AF
• Closing date for applications: 31 October 2019
• For additional information regarding Specialisterne NI, visit https://www.specialisterneni.com or contact Sharon Didrichsen at sharond@specialisterne.com Mobile 07565 936191

Bank of Autism Consultants

• With applicant permission, applicants from the shortlist for this post may also be considered for Recruit Autism Consultant roles, and/or the Specialisterne NI Bank of Autism Consultants for part-time or full-time roles.

 

 

Sharon Didrichsen

Launching the third year of 2gether

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Sharon Didrichsen

#betterjobs

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The recruitment bell has been ringing at Specialisterne NI with Recruit+/++ participants securing jobs in Commmunications Consultancy, Support Consultants, University Placement years (IT), Classroom Assistants, Data Analysts, Software Engineers, Cyber security, Administration, and self-employment. Are you autistic and job seeking? Contact Sharond@specialisterne.com https://www.specialisterneni.com/recruit/

#BETTERJOBS

Sharon Didrichsen

We are recruiting! Autism Consultant- Programme: Recruit+

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Specialisterne Northern Ireland is an Autism at Work consultancy, which opened in Belfast in April 2014. As part of the Specialisterne International Network, which spans 15 countries for 15 years, and which pioneered the Autism at Work movement, we aim to support autistic people to get ready for, secure, and sustain, rewarding careers.
This is an excellent opportunity to join a unique not-for-private-profit organisation in Northern Ireland where you will have the opportunity to work with a small team of autism specialists seeking to develop new tools and techniques which support the career development and well-being of autistic adults.

Job Title: Autism Consultant (Full-time hours). Project: Recruit+    

The Recruit+ programme was designed following consultation with autistic people in 2016 through surveys and focus groups with 100 autistic people and consultation with employers, recruitment consultancies, university and college staff and employment training providers. It is designed to provide the additional supports that help autistic people secure rewarding careers.

Objective
Working as part of the Recruit+ Project team, the Recruit+ Autism Consultant’s aim is to support participants, who are young people or adults on the Autistic Spectrum, to experience reduced attitudinal and communication barriers, and to progress in relation to having a career.

By providing Autism specialist support, the Recruit+ Autism Consultant will help participants feel more ready to meet employers, education and training providers, and to make a positive start to a new career.

The Recruit+ Autism Consultant will also connect with an exciting employer mentor network who will inform the Recruit+ curriculum, ensuring participant’s learning pathways are relevant to their chosen career at this time, and who will provide learning opportunities for participants.

Job Description
• One to one meetings with Recruit+ participants, to support participants to develop strategies in relation to:
o Having a career
o Reducing attitudinal and communication barriers
• Coaching participants in relation to strategies of autistic people.
• Support of Career Clubs. For example, helping participants develop employability skills and resilience strategies for working life.

• Recruitment consultancy and employer briefings.
• Support of group workshops.

• Taking part in board games and other social activities
• Undertaking weekly activities, along with the Recruit+ project team, to support participants to achieve project aims, such as securing employment and further training or education.
• Maintaining records in relation to all project activity, in line with Specialisterne NI quality standards and GDPR regulations.
• Ongoing learning related to autism and autistic people and of tools and techniques which may support Recruit+ participants to achieve project objectives.  There is a 6 month induction plan with Autism Specialists, followed by ongoing learning and professional development.
• Any other activity which fits the remit of the Recruit+ project.

Person Specification

Essential
• Study in a relevant subject area at undergraduate or post graduate level (this includes currently studying or completed). Examples of relevant study include Atypical Development, Psychology, Human Resources, Education, Autism Spectrum related, Sensory Integration. Other subject areas will also be considered in terms of relevance.
• Demonstrated interest in and knowledge of Autism.

Desirable
• Demonstrated in-depth knowledge of Autism
• Experience in supporting children, young people, or adults on the Autistic Spectrum to achieve the changes they want
• Experience in supporting people in small groups
• Experience in documentation of work according to quality standards.
• Demonstrated willingness to learn and a commitment to developing new solutions for autistic people.
• A driving licence or ability to travel to various locations across Belfast when required.

Terms and Conditions
• 37.5 hours weekly, times to be agreed with the successful candidate. Hours typically between 8.30am-4.30pm, Monday -Friday. Location: Based at the Specialisterne NI offices, Skainos, 239 Newtownards Road, Belfast.
•The position is fixed term and is expected to run to March 2022. Salary range: £20-25k, commensurate with experience.

• Specialisterne NI is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. Employment to this post is therefore subject to an Access NI Enhanced Check.
• Specialisterne NI is an equal opportunities employer.

The Recruit+ programme is  part funded through the Northern Ireland European Social Fund Programme 2014 -2020, the Department for the Economy, and the Department for Communities.

Application Process
• Interested applicants should send a Curriculum Vitae to:
Sharon Didrichsen, Manager, Specialisterne NI
By email: sharond@specialisterne.com
Or by post to:
Sharon Didrichsen
Specialisterne NI
Skainos
239 Newtownards Road
Belfast
BT4 1AF
• Closing date for applications: 30 September 2019
• For additional information regarding Specialisterne NI, visit https://www.specialisterneni.com or contact Sharon Didrichsen at sharond@specialisterne.com Mobile 07565 936191
Bank of Autism Support Workers

• With applicant permission, applicants from the shortlist for this post may also be considered for a Recruit++ Autism Consultant (Part-time maternity leave post), and/or the Specialisterne NI Bank of Autism Support Workers for part-time or full-time roles.

Sharon Didrichsen

STEMLabs Technical Mentor – Job Opportunity

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Specialisterne NI is currently welcoming applications for the role of STEMLabs Technical Mentor, for a one week summer activity programme.

What?
STEMLabs is a new summer programme for autistic school pupils. STEMLabs has the aim of connecting participants to employers working in different areas of IT, as well as to have fun, and develop skills, confidence and interest in STEM. This is a link to STEMLabs details:

Specialisterne NI STEMLabs- a new summer programme for autistic young people

When?
STEMLabs takes place w/c 12 August, for one week (Monday to Friday)

Technical Mentor Job role
The Technical Mentor role will work with the Specialisterne NI team to support participants to complete Lego Mindstorms activity. The Technical Mentor role will involve preparation before the STEMLabs week as well as being part of the Specialisterne team during STEMLabs.

Prior to STEMLabs:
 Review the Lego Mindstorms curriculum
 Meet with the Specialisterne team to prepare for STEMLabs

At STEMLabs
 Introduce each days Lego Mindstorms challenge
 Support participants as they complete Lego Mindstorms challenges

Technical Mentor specification

We welcome applicants who have the following:
 Interest in Lego
 Programming knowledge and ability
 Interest in Lego Mindstorms programming
 Programming knowledge indicating skills related to Lego Mindstorms programming

We particularly welcome applications from autistic people. Applicants may also be considered for other Technical Mentor opportunities with Specialisterne NI.

For further details, and to express your interest. please contact Elaine Stephens at elaine.stephens@specialisterne.com

Sharon Didrichsen

Specialisterne NI STEMLabs- a new summer programme for autistic young people

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In partnership with Bring IT On, Kainos and Danske Bank, Specialisterne NI is inviting autistic young people (age 11-18) to take part in STEMLabs – a new summer programme for autistic young people.

STEMLabs will bring together autistic young people to have fun together, enjoy building and programming Lego Mindstorms Robots and take part in board games and fun activities, so that participants get more ready for careers in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics).

What will ‘STEMLabs’ involve?

STEMLabs will involve taking part in:

Lego Mindstorms Robot Activities where participants build and programme Lego Mindstorms Robots in small teams. Participants have the opportunity to work in small teams of 2-3 young people, and to discover strengths related to working in a team.

Social Communication Workshops where participants learn about social communication in STEM roles, and strategies of autistic people to succeed and develop rewarding careers in STEM.

Meet the Employer Activities Leading employers Danske Bank and Kainos are sponsoring STEMLabs and are taking part as well. You will have opportunity to ask what it is like to work in IT and STEM roles and to take part in interactive activities with Danske Bank and Kainos teams.

Autistic Mentors STEMLabs Summer scheme will have autistic mentors supporting participants.

At the end of the program, participants receive a STEMLabs Profile which will outline each participants’ strengths and specialist qualities based on observations throughout the STEMLabs workshops.

STEMLabs workshops are informed by Autism theory, the daily lived experience of young people and adults on the Autistic Spectrum in N Ireland, and the skills STEM employers tell us they are looking for in new employees.

Who is Specialisterne NI?

Specialisterne NI, a not-for-profit social enterprise, is part of the international Specialisterne network that has worked in 15 countries, for 15 years to support young people and adults on the Autistic Spectrum to prepare for, secure, and thrive in rewarding careers. The Specialisterne NI team have studied Autism or related subjects to Masters level. We have worked with over 400 young people and adults on the Autistic Spectrum in N Ireland, supporting individuals to better recognise their own strengths and abilities, and supporting employers, colleges, universities and organisations to better understand how to develop the skills of people on the Autistic Spectrum.

Specialisterne NI has delivered workshops for pupils across 10 secondary, grammar and integrated schools. The most common word in young people’s feedback has been ‘fun’! Young people’s feedback has also included

‘I enjoyed meeting new people and communicating with other people with Autism’

‘I liked it very much, I had a great time’

‘Wonderful’

‘It was fun to do and interesting to hear the different perspectives on various topics brought up’

‘It was surprisingly fun’

‘I found it useful for socialising’

‘I really enjoyed it’

‘I felt at ease working in a team with people from different schools’

‘I found being interactive with new personalities and people to be a rich and fun experience’

‘being able to relate to others on the autism spectrum and just have the chance to have fun’

Who should attend?

STEMLabs  is a programme for pupils aged 11-18  who identify with being on the Autistic Spectrum (a diagnosis or statement is not required). We welcome all enquiries about attending STEMLabs. There are 15 free places available.

When and where is STEMLabs?

STEMLabs is taking place 12-16 August 2019 at the Specialisterne NI offices at Skainos, 239 Newtownards Road, Belfast, BT4 1AF

Should you be interested in participating in STEMLabs, or to find out more please contact Sharon Didrichsen, Manager, Specialisterne NI
Email: sharond@specialisterne.com
Mob: 07565 936191
The Specialisterne NI team will be available to meet with young people and parents to answer any questions regarding STEMLabs.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Specialisterne NI is a not-for-profit social enterprise that works to support people on the Autistic Spectrum to prepare for, secure, and thrive in rewarding careers.

The ‘STEMLabs’ programme is sponsored by Bring IT On, and leading STEM employers Danske Bank and Kainos. There is no cost to young people to participate in STEMLabs.

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Sharon Didrichsen

Level 1 and Level 2 Workshops: Interviewing, Managing and Coaching people with Social Communication Differences, new dates!

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Communication Coaching

Larn how to manage, work alongside or coach employees with social communication difference in the workplace such as Autism, Aspergers or who display related characteristics. Working with professional actors, we role play true-to-life scenarios of communication differences at work and use videos to support the learning experience.

Venue: Skainos, 239 Newtownards Road, Belfast BT4 1AF

Date: Friday 22 March. Time: 9:30am-12pm

Level 1 Workshop: Managing or Working Alongside Employees with Social Communication Difference

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/managing-or-working-alongside-employees-with-social-communication-difference-tickets-27707958249

Date: Friday 29 March. Time: 9:30am-12pm

Level 1 Workshop: Interviewing People with Social Communication Difference

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/interviewing-people-who-have-a-social-communication-difference-tickets-55343800798

Date: Friday 29 March. Time: 1pm-3.30pm

Level 2 Workshop: Coaching Employees with Social Communication Difference

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/coaching-employees-who-are-on-the-autistic-spectrum-tickets-55344133794

The Level 1 workshops will include:

An interactive workshop on working with people with social communication difference, such as Autism/Aspergers. Together with professional actors, the Specialisterne NI team will role play scenarios at interview or at work, and explore:

– Developing an understanding of what behaviours of Social Communication Difference (such as Autism/Aspergers) may look like in the workplace or at interview
– Increasing understanding of the experience of Autism in work/at interview
– Enhancing confidence in working with or interviewing people with communication difference (such as Autism/Aspergers)
– Observation of role-plays that represent real life situations and around table discussions about these.

Outcomes

The workshops aim to help participants:

  • develop an understanding of Autism/Aspergers and social communication differences at interview and in work
  • be more aware of different world experiences which may contribute to an applicant/ employee’s performance
  • feel more confident to interview applicants, or  manage employees with social communication difference
  • have a framework within which to consider behaviour that will contribute to decision making which has reduced bias

The Level 2 workshop will include:

– Developing an understanding of work styles of employees with Social Communication Difference
– Increasing understanding of the coaching situation and how social communication difference can be supported in this context
– Opportunity to take part in a Lego Team Communication exercise and observe or participate in role plays with a professional actor to try out coaching techniques

Outcomes

The workshop aims to help participants:

  • implement knowledge from level 1 training and put this into practice with a professional actor
  • receive feedback on your coaching style
  • helping students feel comfortable in individual or small group scenarios
  • identify ways to get your message across with diverse colleagues.

Why Specialisterne NI?

Specialisterne NI is a not for private profit social enterprise that specialises in Autism at work. Working for 15 years in 15 countries, Specialisterne NI has the aim of supporting 1 million people on the Autistic Spectrum to secure rewarding careers. The Specialisterne NI trainer team have studied Autism to Masters Level and supported over 400 adults on the Autistic Spectrum since opening in Belfast in 2014. Specialisterne NI engage a thriving autistic community and are delighted to share what we learn with you so that autistic people can thrive in your workplace.

As a team we combine Autism theory with listening to and learning from the lived experience of people on the Autistic Spectrum in N Ireland. We have worked with undergraduates at colleges and university, through to people on the Autistic spectrum in senior management roles. Having worked to support people to access and thrive in senior job roles, our team tailor learning content to the experience of being on the Autistic Spectrum and in a professional work environment, thereby making learning relevant to business needs.

Working with professional actors, we share the experiences of Autistic people in N Ireland in work.

Workshop feedback includes:

  • Whole course was excellent and very interesting and interactive.
  • Well presented , informative course
  • All information provided was relevant to what I needed to know
  • Now have a greater understanding of an autistic person’s perspective
  • The Lego Exercise was fun, while being challenging and enlightening
  • Liked the real actors, thought was great way of learning.
  • Course was excellent
  • I enjoyed the actors and the real life experiences that the trainers had encountered
  • The role play was very informative and clearly represented how issues may play out.
  • The presenters were exemplary in presenting the course info. The actors were very good too.
  • Thank you so much I have learned a great deal.
  • Well delivered
  • Really enjoyed it, very informative and fun.
  • Excellent, well presented, very informative.
  • Very informative, thank you.
  • I feel this course should be compulsory for all staff. Trainers very informative and knowledgeable in subject area.
  • Well presented- easy to follow. Experts in their field!
  • Excellent course, very well delivered
  • Very enjoyable training.
  • Excellent content and delivery. Helped to give skills and confidence in dealing with a person on the spectrum.
  • All questions expertly answered.
  • Encouraged by management to attend. So glad I did, really enjoyed it and learned a lot.
  • I had no prior experience or knowledge of this area. Very glad I enrolled on the course.
  • The interaction of the group. The combination of training delivery methods kept my attention
  • Everything- the role plays were excellent. Seeing somebody act out the way an autistic person could act.
  • Whole course was excellent and very interesting and interactive.
  • Well presented , informative course
  • All information provided was relevant to what I needed to know

Please note that the cost for individual workshops is £135 (discounts for multiple bookings). A light breakfast/lunch is included.

Numbers of attendees are limited to 15 per workshop.

This workshop can be delivered in house, and additional workshops are also available, such as Becoming a Diversity Advocate  (Social Communication Differences). For details contact Sharond@specialisterne.com

Book through Eventbrite (£135 + Eventbrite booking fee £8.96) or contact Sharon Didrichsen, Manager, Specialisterne NI Tel 07565 936191, email sharond@specialisterne.com to request an invoice.