Disability Support Worker

Main Purpose of the Job: The post holder will provide direct one to one and group-based effective and timely disability support to meet the needs of participants on Skills for Life and Work and/or Apprenticeships NI related training provision. They will plan their own calendar and activities to an agreed support plan, to meet the needs of participants to achieve their training and learning goals and planned qualifications and outcomes.

Reporting Arrangements: The Disability Support Worker will be responsible to and report to the Disability Support Co-ordinator

Key duties and responsibilities: The key duties and major responsibilities of the Disability Support Worker will include:

1 Provide direct one to one and group-based disability support to an agreed schedule of activities, location(s), timings, outputs and quality and completeness measures, allocated by the Disability Support Co-ordinator, in a designated geographical area.

2 Carry out planned disability support activities on site to

meet the needs of participants, accurately recording daily activities, outputs and outcomes and obtaining appropriate signatures of work completed to the required standard on relevant paperwork and then submit to the Disability Support Co-ordinator by agreed timescales.

3 Collaborate with the Disability Support Co-ordinator and Disability Support Manager and wider DA teams, to effectively monitor and review service delivery to meet contractual and organisational financial, KPIs and quality measures and quality improvement planning throughout the contract duration.

4 Establish and maintain accurate and timely records that supports effective ongoing monitoring and review of own support provided and raise any immediate issues or concerns with the Disability Support Co-ordinator for appropriate follow up.

5 Develop and maintain close working relationships with key external staff, such as other Disability Support Service Contractors, Training Providers and Careers Service to ensure that DA support is responsive to emerging requirements.

6 To adhere to agreed corporate quality standards and best practice.

7 To undertake any other duties as may be required from time to time by Disability Action in line with the status of the post.

NB: - The organisation reserves the right to vary these terms and conditions of employment at its discretion in circumstances where such variation is in the interests of improving the efficiency of the organisation's business. The organisation also reserves the right to review, revise, amend or replace policies / procedures from time to time reflecting the changing needs of the business.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

This person specification indicates the essential qualifications, experience, skills, abilities, knowledge, values and/or attitudes that you require to carry out the duties of this post.

Within its values Disability Action recognises that certain individuals with disabilities may not have had the opportunity to achieve certain qualifications or may be unable to meet other criteria such as possession of a driving licence. If you feel that you, as a person with a disability, have experienced these barriers we would encourage you to tell us about it and to tell how your other skills and attributes prepare you for this post. This will help us to make any necessary reasonable adjustments and / or positive action measures to the recruitment process.

Essential Criteria

Level 3 qualification and/or have at least two years-experience (with at least one year being in the last two years), in a related role in employability, training, teaching, or learning support

Knowledge of directly supporting people with disabilities within an employment, education, or employment & training setting

The ability to work with a wide cross-section of participants with varying levels of needs

A professional approach and ability to work independently, to analyse and provide creative solutions to problems and a commitment to team working and collaboration

The ability to demonstrate excellent written & oral communication skills including the ability work with people with disabilities and other relevant stakeholders, whilst exhibiting sensitively in difficult circumstances with empathy, compassion and understanding.

IT skills and experience in the effective use of a range of IT tools, (e.g. Microsoft Office Suite, Windows OS, Teams and

Android OS), enabling effective hybrid and onsite working to achieve high quality and timely service delivery.

Desirable Criteria

A relevant third level qualification or a recognised accredited qualification in a relevant area such as Supported Employment, Teaching, Training, Mentoring, Coaching or Careers Guidance.

Knowledge of Government programmes to assist disabled people into employment, further education or training.

Knowledge of the Disability Discrimination Act and other relevant employment and equality legislation.

The criterion details the knowledge, skills and competences that an individual will need to possess to be effective.

The ‘Person Specification’ details the criteria for the post. The essential criteria reflect what an applicant must possess in order to apply. As such, Essential Criteria may be regarded as ‘eligibility’ criteria

If you wish to apply for this position, please complete the attached application form and send it to Colin Downey, Disability Support Services Manager: colindowney@disabilityaction.org or Karencollins@disabilityaction.org.