Early Support Coordinator

About the role

Autism New Zealand is a provider of early support services funded by the Ministry of Education. EarlySteps provides the earliest possible support to improve education opportunities, participation and learning outcomes for autistic tamariki with high learning support needs in the early childhood sector through the provision of effective co-ordinated specialist supports.

EarlySteps provides an autism specific, neuro affirming, whānau centred, culturally responsive, inclusive and evidence informed early support service, supporting autistic tamariki and those with a probable autism diagnosis through to the end of Year 1 in the following Ministry of Education regions: Tāmaki Herenga Tāngata (NorthWest, Central, East, South and Southwest Auckland), Waikato, and Canterbury.

Hours of work: 10 hours per week based in the Autism New Zealand office in Waikato, with the possibility of some work from home flexibility.

Key responsibilities

• Manage the Requests for the Waikato EarlySteps service, liaising closely with the Ministry of Education, National Service Provider team

• Manage the initial engagement activities with whānau and families including:

  o   Acknowledgement receipt of the referral

  o   Introduction of EarlySteps service

  o   Explanation of enrolment process

  o   Arrange an initial meeting or enrolment discussion.

  o   Making initial connection for the whānau / family with the EarlySteps lead worker.

• Set up the initial information/details for each child and family on the CRM system.

• Manage the data sharing and reporting requirement under the guidance of the EarlySteps Lead Early Intervention Teacher and the EarlySteps Coordinator, Auckland

• Regularly update the CRM database and other schedules with details of participants, programmes, service hours and other information as required.

• Review data and ensure quality control of the EarlySteps data in the CRM database and other schedules.

• Support the EarlySteps team with all administration and coordination for the day-to-day running of the service, including helping to create resources, liaising with whānau and families and early learning services and setting up schedules and timetables.

• Manage the recruitment and induction of Education Support Workers (ESWs) across each of the EarlySteps teams.

• Manage the contracting processes for centre based ESW contracts.

• Coordinate the scheduling and timetabling of ESWs for each EarlySteps team.

• Manage the day-to-day communication with ESWs, providing support for any admin related tasks.

• Ensure participant and family/whānau confidentiality and privacy maintained at all times

About you

• Effective organisational and prioritising skills
• Highly competence in Microsoft Office, database and website management
• Excellent time-management and project management skills
• Excellent communication and relationship skills – the ability to relate well to a wide range of people: staff, families, teachers, agencies, professionals, grant funders and suppliers
• Able to handle information sensitively and confidentially
• Awareness of broad principles of ethics associated with the provision of services in a support agency role
• Demonstrated cultural and socio-economic sensitivity and awareness of Treaty of Waitangi obligations
• Self-motivated and uses initiative
• Empathetic and enthusiastic
• Able to obtain and regularly maintain a satisfactory New Zealand Police Vetting Check

About us

Autism New Zealand's Vision is 'Empowering the autistic and autism communities'. Our Purpose is 'Every Step Together' - providing services and support, education and information to enable autistic people and the wider autism community to make informed choices, and to advocate for a society where autistic people are valued and supported.

How to apply

Applications close Sunday 16th August 2026.

For more information on Autism New Zealand, visit our website www.autismnz.org.nz

For enquiries or a full job description, you are welcome to contact [email protected].

Please don't email applications through, please apply through Seek.

Autism New Zealand prides itself on being an inclusive workplace. We have processes in place to collaborate with all employees on workplace accommodations and support. We encourage autistic and other neurodivergent people to apply for roles at Autism New Zealand; we also respect each individual's choices around disclosure of their autistic or neurodivergent status.