Stand with autistic children and young people and join the board of Ambitious about Autism.
Who we are
Ambitious about Autism stands with autistic children and young people, championing their rights and creating opportunities across education, employment, health and community life. We educate and support hundreds of autistic children and young people directly and reach thousands more through our national programmes, employability initiatives, participation work and policy influence.
With our Ambitious Together strategy launching later this summer, we are entering an exciting new phase. Building on our strong foundations as a service delivery organisation, we are seeking to play a greater role in shaping the systems that affect autistic children and young people every day. To support our vision, we are looking for new Trustees to join our board at a defining moment.
As we begin an ambitious new strategy, we want people who will bring fresh insight, clear thinking and real commitment to the decisions that shape our future. This is a chance to put your experience to work where it matters most, in the lives of the children, young people and families we exist to serve.
How we are governed
The Ambitious about Autism’s Joint Group Board Committee oversees the work of the overall charity and academy trust, supported by a set of committees that give closer attention to particular areas of our work, including our Education and Care Committee.
Working alongside your fellow Trustees, our Chief Executive and executive team, you will help set our direction, hold us to account for the difference we make and make sure our governance is as strong as our ambition.
Who we are looking for
We are appointing three Trustees, each bringing something distinct to the board. What matters is your judgement, your values, commitment, and your willingness to support and to challenge in equal measure.
Trustee with clinical, academic or practice expertise in autism.
We are looking for someone with clinical, academic or practice expertise in autism at a senior leadership level.
You will bring specialist knowledge and insight to our board discussions, helping to ensure that our decisions are informed by evidence, emerging research and best practice across the sector. This could be experience from a clinical setting, or academia or in services. Your expertise will help us to challenge our thinking where appropriate and identify opportunities to strengthen our impact.
Trustee with lived experience of autism.
We want to appoint a Trustee with senior leadership experience and a passion and motivation for the work we do.
You will bring lived experience of autism, either directly as an autistic person or through a family member or loved one. We believe our board is stronger when it draws on a wide range of lives, backgrounds and perspectives and we are keen to hear from people whose experience reflects the people we work with and support, which helps us stay close to the young people and families at the heart of our work.
Trustee and Chair Designate of the Education and Care Committee.
Furthermore, we are looking for someone who will become Chair of our Education and Care Committee. We would like to hear from someone with strategic expertise in special educational needs and disabilities, perhaps gained within a local authority, education provider or elsewhere in the SEND system.
You will bring a deep understanding of specialist education and how young people with additional needs are best supported, and in time, you will take on the role of chairing our Education and Care Committee when our current Chair of the Committee comes to the end of their term.
For this particular role, we are looking for someone with board experience who can chair the committee.
What it involves.
Being a Trustee asks for around one to two days a month on average, depending on the month, across a termly cycle of board and committee meetings and an annual strategy day. This is inclusive of ad hoc conversations with fellow Trustees and our executive, occasional visits, and preparation time for meetings.
The Chair Designate of our Education and Care Committee will have additional involvement when they become the Chair of the Committee. For example, ad hoc meetings with our Director of Education and Care and involvement as and when Ofsted inspections occur.
It is a voluntary role and we will make sure you have the induction, support and information you need to contribute with confidence from the start.
Our commitment to you.
We know the best decisions are made by boards that reflect the people they serve. We particularly welcome applications from autistic people, parents/carers and people from backgrounds that are underrepresented on charity boards, such as those with Global Majority backgrounds. If you need any adjustments at any stage of the process, please tell us and we will make them.
Above all, you will be motivated by our mission and have the credibility, empathy and influence to help Ambitious about Autism play a leading role in shaping a more inclusive education system.
You will join a values-driven, inclusive organisation with a strong reputation, committed partners and bold ambitions. If you’re motivated by delivering impact with and for autistic children and young people, we’d like to hear from you.
To view the role description and person specification, please go to the ‘How to Apply’ tab above, fill in your details and download the job pack.
For further information or to arrange a confidential discussion, please contact our advising consultants at Peridot Partners:
Jennifer Horan | jennifer@peridotpartners.co.uk | 07519 070497
About Ambitious about Autism
Ambitious about Autism is the national charity standing with autistic children and young people.
We believe every autistic child and young person has the right to be themselves and realise their ambitions.
We started as one school and have become a movement for change. We champion rights, campaign for change and create opportunities.
About Autism.
Autism is a lifelong developmental disability which is estimated to affect one in 100 people in the UK. However, it is likely this figure is higher. Around one in 24 children in English schools is autistic.
Autism affects how a person communicates and experiences the world around them. It is described as a spectrum condition because while autistic people share certain characteristics, they will be highly individual in their interests, needs and preferences.
Some autistic people live independently, but others may need additional support because of a learning disability or other health needs, such as a mental health condition or epilepsy. Autistic children and young people face enormous challenges due to a lack of understanding of their needs. Early intervention and support are critical if autistic children and young people are to be themselves and realise their ambitions.
Ambitious about Autism.
Our full strategy can be accessed online here: Autism
Our Values.
Our Strategy.
We want autistic children and young people to be themselves and realise their ambitions.
The next few years are critical if we are to work with autistic children, young people and their families to overcome the enormous challenges they face because of the lack of understanding of their needs.
We have been building on our core expertise in education and employability while engaging more than ever before in other areas essential for autistic children and young people to lead fulfilling lives, such as supportive families and relationships, good health and well-being and active citizenship in their communities.
Our new strategy will focus on improving the education system for all autistic children and young people across all areas of their lives.
Learn more about us
Accessibility information
If you have a disability that meets the definition set out in the Equality Act 2010, and you can show that you meet the ‘essential’ criteria described in the person specification, please let us know.
If you experience any technical or accessibility difficulties, need help making an application, or have any additional support needs to be considered as part of the interview and selection process, please let us know.
Recruitment selection processes are based on evidence of competence stated in the person specification and in relation to our values.
Ambitious about Autism is fully committed to equity of opportunity and diversity, and we warmly welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates. We welcome applications regardless of race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, disability, or age. All applications will be considered solely on merit.
As part of our Safer Recruitment checks, an online search may be carried out in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education.
Ambitious about Autism is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and successful candidates will be subject to an Enhanced DBS check.
To arrange a confidential discussion, please contact our advising consultants at Peridot Partners:
Jennifer Horan | jennifer@peridotpartners.co.uk | 07519 070497
Thank you for your interest in this role. Please download the Role Description and Person Specification.
To formally apply, please submit a CV and supporting statement (ideally maximum 2 sides of A4 each) that clearly outlines your suitability for the role against the criteria provided in the person specification, including your interest and motivation in applying for this position.
Please include your home address, contact email and mobile.
Please ensure that your application is emailed to response@peridotpartners.co.uk, inserting “Application: Ambitious about Autism— Trustee or Chair Designate” into the subject field. You will receive an acknowledgement of receipt within 2-3 days. If you do not receive an acknowledgement, please contact our admin team.
For further information or to arrange a confidential discussion, please contact our advising consultants at Peridot Partners:
Jennifer Horan | jennifer@peridotpartners.co.uk | 07519 070497
As a sector-leading executive search consultancy, we know the importance of creating recruitment processes that are fair, inclusive and free from bias. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and developing a process that values differences.
If you require any job information in an alternative format (e.g. large print), please contact the lead consultant. Please also let us know if you would like to submit your application in an alternative format.
Applicants with disabilities are welcome to contact us in confidence at any stage of the recruitment process to discuss any reasonable adjustments or support that may be required to ensure fair and equal participation.
Recruitment selection processes are based on evidence of competence stated in the person specification and in relation to our values.
Timetable
Closing date: Monday 21st September 2026
Candidates informed of outcome by: Tuesday 29th September
Stakeholder Day: TreeHouse on the 7th and 9th of October
Interviews: 13th and 16th October
Equal Opportunities Monitoring
Peridot and Ambitious about Autism are committed to promoting equality and diversity. To help us raise awareness and support a culture that is diverse and recognises and develops the potential of all, we need to appreciate the profile of candidates who apply for positions. We will send you an equality monitoring survey at the point of receiving your application and at the time of placement. This ensures that our processes remain inclusive and equitable throughout, and provides us with important data to help us showcase our impact.
The information will be treated confidentially and anonymously and will help us to support our commitment to fair recruitment practice. All information provided will be held in the strictest confidence and will not be shared with anyone, in line with the Data Protection Act 2018 launched on 25 May 2018.
The information provided does not form part of the decision-making process and will not affect your application. Learn more about why we collect this data here.
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