Community Coordinator

Job description

Job responsibilities

To provide community related support for young people and adults with SEN and disabilities, assisting them to identify, obtain and retain leisure activities, travel, social/friendship opportunities, voluntary work, pre-vocational training, information gathering and networking to meet the outcomes they require as determined by their My Plans, person centred plan or community care assessment, as well as offering support to their carers.

Specific duties and responsibilities include:

Manage and be responsible for a caseload of up to 35 customers.

Providing community support for young people and adults with SEN and disabilities that include, physical impairment, sensory impairment, neurological, learning disabilities and autistic spectrum condition.

Support each customer by working with them and keeping all relevant monitoring records up to date. Maintain the customers confidentiality.

Work with each customer to produce a personal and vocational profile, identifying skills, experience, current needs and relevant support networks, leading to an action plan which identifies development opportunities that lead to required outcomes.

Where appropriate, work in partnership with other key people within the customers support network to make sure any activities undertaken is part of their holistic needs/plans. Key people include: child and young peoples disability team members, specialist schools, Wiltshire colleges, speech therapists, occupational therapists, childrens services social workers, DCE/DCS commissioning.

Ensure that other relevant professionals or family members are made aware of possible changes to the customers circumstances including welfare benefits when entering or re-entering voluntary employment, whilst maintaining the customers confidentiality.

Make contact with local services/organisations to actively promote the service and inclusion of customers with physical impairment, sensory impairment, neurological, learning disabilities and autistic spectrum conditions.

To support an individual and their family to obtain information around travel passes available to them including the application process.

To support individuals to travel to their place of Education, Employment and/or Community outcome independently.

Working within 0yrs to stability, post holders will be responsible for attending internal and external events/workshops, conferences, stakeholder events and meetings. This will involve representing Wiltshire Council, note taking and reporting information back to the teams senior officers.

Contact/meetings such as Team Around the Child (TAC), My Plan, Transitions, and reviews will be the responsibility of the post holders. These meetings will include assessing referral/customer, evaluating appropriateness for service, signposting if necessary, advising, fact finding, and negotiating, obtaining information, developing plans, motivating choice, control and realistic opportunity and supporting next steps identified.

Work with voluntary organisations to meet the needs of their business and to provide a service that supports all parties.

Identify tasks that could cause difficulties for the customer and initiate plans to aid the learning process.

Imputing data onto CareFirst relating to each customer on caseload.

Ensure compliance with all relevant legislation and best practice including recording and using all data in line with Wiltshire Council and the Data Protect Act 1998.

Maintain effective and efficient administrative procedures and ensure all associated paperwork and systems are completed as required, including tracking of Our Health Our Care Our Say outcomes and the gathering of evidence where necessary.

Keep effective digital (paperless) records in line with the procedures and data protection Actively monitor and record outcome and funding evidence relevant to our programme contract and appraisal targets.

Ensure that the most cost effective methods of working underpin all practices. Produce required reports by using systems and methods in place as outlined in the teams supporting procedures guidance.

Support the preparation and delivery of a 4 week Community focused program on a weekly basis, covering voluntary work, travel training, friendships, personal safety and community inclusion within specialist schools and Wiltshire colleges.

To participate in supervision and appraisal sessions with an agreed senior colleague. To work flexibly and in line with the Wiltshire Council Flexible Working policy and procedures

To take part in staff development programmes, assuming responsibility for continuous professional development.

Undertake other duties appropriate to the grade and nature of the post.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Have up-to-date knowledge of relevant legislation and guidance in relation to working with, and the safeguarding of Children, young people and vulnerable adults.
• HNC/NVQ4/QCF 4 or equivalent skills and working towards a professional qualification or the ability to demonstrate equivalent experience and skills.
• Proven practical experience of supporting or working in a paid or voluntary capacity with people with varied disabilities and autistic spectrum conditions.
• High level of understanding and knowledge of how relationships are central to a customers wellbeing and inclusion in their community.
• Proven practical experience of supporting/enabling people in a variety of settings.
• Wider knowledge around existing legislation .i.e. Working Time regulations for young people working/volunteering, insurance requirements, legal requirements for relevant permissions for customers
• Self-motivated, able to work independently, use own initiative and be part of a team.
• Good time management.
• Able to demonstrate empathy with the concept of social inclusion and the social model of disability.
• An ability to understand and communicate effectively using a range of tools and methods.
• Able to provide information and support to relevant stakeholders.
• Shows commitment to personal growth and development.
• Committed to Equal Opportunities and anti-discrimination.
• Commitment & enthusiasm to service objectives.
• Able to interpret/analyse situations and make decisions on the best course of action.
• Displays a commitment to the protection and safeguarding of vulnerable children, young people and adults.
• High level of knowledge of social care sector and/or the business environment
• An understanding of the core principles and values underpinning individuals rights & needs.
• Taking a positive approach to working creatively and collaboratively Recognition of the rights of disabled people to be a part of their community and be able to identify and address barriers.
• Work as part of a team whilst being able to work on own initiative showing flexibility and adaptability.
• To be able to demonstrate sensitivity, tact, diplomacy and patience and keep calm in difficult situations.
• Using set procedures to record information.
• Ability to deliver services to Individuals of all ages with different abilities, demands, and needs.
• Understanding the need for the role of an advocate to be used as appropriate.
• Understanding of legislation relevant to the delivery of statutory services.
• Ability to use a variety of communication methods.
• Excellent IT skills using Microsoft office, emails and calendar.

Desirable

• Emergency First Aid qualification
• Health and Safety qualification
• Makaton/British Sign Language qualification
• Teaching or training experience.
• Experience of working with people with autistic spectrum conditions.
• Knowledge of person centred planning tools.
• Ability to understand and contribute to service objectives and development.
• Knowledge of Care First child/adult.

Experience

Essential

• High level of relevant and practical experience acquired on the job. An advanced understanding of relevant procedures and working practices. Advanced knowledge of specialist function relevant to service area. Excellent ICT skills including use of Microsoft applications and specialist systems. Significant experience of working with clients and client groups with complex needs. Proven ability to carry out client risk assessments to identify eligibility for service provision and/or risk of harm. Proven ability to advise and guide clients to encourage development and to access services to which they are entitled. Ability to build trust and confidence with clients, client groups and colleagues. Proven ability to interpret situations, analyse behaviours to make judgements and deliver interventions to achieve outcomes. Proven ability to deliver training.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer details

Employer name

Wiltshire Council

Address

County Hall

Bythesea Rd

Trowbridge

Wiltshire

BA14 8JN

Employer's website

http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)