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Vacancies that we have available currently will be listed below.
By joining our team, you will be playing a vital role in helping to support vision and hearing impaired people throughout Worcestershire to lead fulfilling and independent lives.
Sensory Impairment Advisor (Vision) Intern- paid
Thomas Pocklington Trust (TPT) and RNIB are collaborating with organisations from both the sight loss and wider charity sector as well as corporate organisations to create new opportunities for blind and partially sighted people to find employment through the Get Set Progress (GSP) Internship programme. Sight Concern Worcestershire is delighted to be offering an internship as part of the Get Set Progress scheme.
Sight Concern Worcestershire has a long history of supporting vision impaired people. We are the only charity dedicated to supporting people with a sensory impairment in the county. Our services include providing information, advice and guidance on all aspects of living with a sensory impairment through our Sensory Matters project, peer support groups, wellbeing activities and an award-winning volunteer project. We are currently developing a children and young people’s programme. We are ambitious about meeting the needs of the people we support.
Our Values
Individual– our services are person-centred and the people we support are at the heart of everything we do
Accessible– our services are accessible and are communicated in the person’s preferred language and in the method most accessible to them
Empowering– we will support people to gain independence and confidence to make choices about their lives, making sure they have access to the information they need to do so
For the journey- we will support people at all the different stages of their sensory impairment and when new challenges appear.
As part of your 9-month internship, you will be part of a large cohort of fellow interns and gain the following:
Valuable work experience within the charity sector
Technology support (Including Microsoft Office) and upskilling opportunities
Online and in-person training and development opportunities
Opportunity to present and network with Senior leaders within the Sight Loss Sector
Opportunities to build relationships with fellow interns
A personal mentor offering support, advice and guidance throughout your internship
The chance to deliver positive changes for people with sight loss
As part of the GSP Internship programme, you will also be enrolled on the TPT Works For Me Employment Programme, where you will gain
bespoke employment support, guidance and advice from the TPT Employment Team, some of the skills that you will receive support and guidance around include:
CV writing
Job searching
Cover letter and speculative
letter writing
Application form writing
Role: Sensory Impairment Advisor
Department: Information, Advice and Guidance
Reporting to: Joanne Webber
Location: 4 days per week at The Bradbury Centre, 2 Sansome Walk, Worcester, WR1 1LH
Salary: Based on the Real Living Wage
Contract type: Fixed Term, 9 months Full time – 37.5 hours a week
Overview of the role:
We seek to provide solutions to enable people living with a vision impairment and their families and supporters to cope with and adapt to the challenges they face. Our Sensory Matters project provides a comprehensive service for people with sensory impairment to enable them to identify the support they require, access services, assist them to develop the skills to live more confidently and independently, and lead the lives they choose. Our Sensory Impairment Advisor (Vision) will support the Services Manager to ensure that the service is responsive, person-centred and
professional.
The expected impact of the role is that;
people affected by vision impairment will have improved access to information, advice and support to enable them to make informed decisions and feel more in control of their lives.
People with vision impairment will have access to aids, equipment and support services which enable them to carry out day to day tasks and engage in activities that increase their independence.
People affected by vision impairment will experience improved wellbeing.
Key areas of responsibility and tasks:
Personal specification – Essential criteria:
This post has a Genuine Occupational Requirement that the successful applicant be a person who is blind or partially sighted, in line with The Equality Act 2010
· Understanding of the issues and barriers faced by people with a visual impairment.
· Commitment to and understanding of working in a person-centred way.
· Ability to support blind and partially sighted people to identify and prioritise their personal areas of concern or challenges relating to vision impairment.
· Ability to identify and recommend potential and appropriate sources of support and resources for people living with visual impairment.
· Knowledge of and strong commitment to equality and diversity.
· Excellent communication skills with an ability to adapt to the needs of others appropriately.
· Competent IT user, including use of Microsoft Office and databases, with training or Access to Work support as appropriate.
· Ability to work within professional boundaries and to respect and adhere to the confidentiality of the role.
· Willingness to be flexible and work as part of a whole-organisation team.
· Willingness to travel to the TPT Hub in London for intern development events throughout the course of the internship programme (costs covered by TPT).
· Having not previously undertaken the Get Set Progress internship programme.
· This internship is subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service check. If you wish to discuss a criminal conviction confidentially prior to applying, please contact Anne Eyre (Chief Executive Officer) on 01905 723245 or by sending an email to a.eyre@sightconcern.co.uk
We would like to make the application process as easy and accessible as possible. Please apply via email or letter explaining why you are interested in and are suitable for this internship, any relevant experience you have (lived, work or voluntary), any qualifications you want to tell us about, how you meet the criteria in the person specification and anything else you want us to know. We are happy to receive a CV if you want to include one, particularly if you have work or voluntary experience, but it is not compulsory.
Your email should be sent to k.wakefield@sightconcern.co.uk. If you want to send a letter, please send it to Katy Wakefield, Sight Concern Worcestershire, The Bradbury Centre, 2 Sansome Walk, Worcester, WR1 1LH.
Noon on 15th August 2024. Interviews will be held no earlier than the week
beginning 29th August 2024.
Lived experience statement: Sight Concern Worcestershire recognises the particular and special value of lived experience of sight loss within our team. We are committed to increasing the number of blind and partially sighted people within our organisation. We remain committed to improving wider diversity amongst our staff team and across our client base.
Sensory Impairment Advisor- d/Deaf and hearing loss
Sensory Matters Worcestershire offers information, advice and guidance to people living with sensory impairment across the county. We are committed to supporting people to overcome barriers and advocating for accessibility. We are seeking a key member of our team to deliver our to service people who are d/Deaf.
Our new colleague must have the ability to communicate effectively with people who are d/Deaf. They will be a proficient user of BSL and methods of communication used by people with hearing loss/hard of hearing. Above all, they will be committed to providing the best quality information, advice and guidance to the people we support.
We recognise the particular value of colleagues with lived experience of sensory impairment within our charity and welcome applications from people who are d/Deaf.
Hours: between15 and 30 hours per week, to be agreed. Occasional evening or weekend work may be required.
Location: This role is primarily based at The Bradbury Centre but will also involve travel to other locations throughout the county.
Annual Leave: 28 days (including bank holidays), rising by 1 day per year to a maximum of 33 days
Salary: £12.30 per hour (£23,985 per annum pro rata)
Contract type: 12 months initial contract
Reports to: Services Development Manager
Overall Objectives:
We seek to provide solutions to enable people living with a sensory impairment and their families and supporters to cope with and adapt to the challenges they face.
Our Sensory Impairment Information and Advice Team provides a comprehensive service for people with sensory impairment, enabling them to identify the support they require, access services, assist them to develop the skills to live more confidently and independently, and make choices about their own lives.
The Sensory Impairment Information and Advice Team will support the Services Development Manager to ensure that the service is responsive, person-centred and professional.
Expected impact:
People affected by sensory impairment will have improved access to information, advice and support to enable them to make informed decisions and feel more in control of their lives.
People with sensory impairment will have access to aids, equipment and support services which enable them to carry out day to day tasks and engage in activities which increase their independence.
People affected by sensory impairment will experience improved wellbeing.
Our Sensory Impairment Information and Advice Team will have access to prompt advice and guidance and will receive regular supervision.
Main Accountabilities:
The postholder will;
-provide initial information, advice and guidance for people who are d/Deaf, their families, and people who are support them.
-conduct initial client needs assessment face-to-face, over the telephone or online.
-input new referrals and ongoing case notes to maintain our client relationship management (CRM) database in an accurate and timely manner.
-provide person centred solutions to enable individuals to overcome the emotional, physiological, and practical challenges faced through Deafness.
-support the project delivery model to provide an integrated and holistic client led support plan, focused on the provision of appropriate outcome goals.
-provide short-term, focussed interventions to support people who are d/Deaf to overcome challenges, make adaptations and connect with services which enable them to develop and maintain independence.
-avoid dependency by concentrating on strategies which empower the individual and give them the confidence and skills to progress to successful independent living.
-develop and deliver a programme of d/Deaf information and advice drop-in clinics and peer support groups across the Worcestershire area.
-demonstrate and sell a range of aids, daily living equipment and assistive technology solutions.
-signpost people to relevant services.
-challenge negative attitudes, beliefs, and stereotypes.
-work collaboratively with other professionals and organisations involved with clients to ensure the best possible support is provided throughout the pathway, particularly the Sensory Impairment Team.
-support people who are d/Deaf to develop links with other service providers, community groups, activities, volunteers, and befrienders, where appropriate.
-signpost or make referrals to organisations who offer services to people with vision impairment.
-develop a bank of client case studies.
-effectively manage working relationships and referral mechanisms with other agencies and relevant stakeholders.
-research the work of other organisations locally and nationally and actively promote our service in the community and via professional networks.
-provide content for Sight Concern Worcestershire’s communications and media, obtaining consent and facilitating the sharing of good news stories or case studies.
-provide basic d/Deaf awareness to local businesses and community groups to support better client integration in the community.
-support Sight Concern events and wellbeing activities.
-support Sight Concern marketing activity, including social media posts.
-work with the Volunteer Coordinator to ensure that volunteers are effectively mentored in their work supporting clients.
-understand and take appropriate steps to identify and manage risks, behaviours, and concerns to protect vulnerable adults and maintain their right to self-determination.
General
The following points are common to all job descriptions:
Person specification: Criteria are essential unless otherwise stated
A range of communication skills including BSL, lip-reading and speech (or willing to use an Access to Work interpreter to enable communication with hearing clients and colleagues).
Experience of working in a public-facing role (e.g., customer service, advice, health, social care).
Understanding of the issues and barriers faced by people who are d/Deaf.
Experience of working with d/Deaf people (desirable).
Understanding of the issues faced by blind and partially sighted people and people with dual sensory loss (desirable).
Information, advice and guidance qualification (desirable).
Commitment to and understanding of working in a person-centred way.
Experience of offering person-centred support, advice or guidance (desirable).
Experience of managing a challenging and varied workload (desirable).
Knowledge of and strong commitment to equality and diversity.
Knowledge and understanding of safeguarding adults and a clear focus on taking appropriate action.
Experience of working with volunteers (desirable).
Experience of multi-agency working (desirable).
Ability to work autonomously.
Excellent communication skills with an ability to adapt to the needs of others appropriately.
Competent IT user, including use of Microsoft Office and databases.
Experience of using Charity Log or other CRM (desirable).
Ability to work within professional boundaries and to respect and adhere to confidentiality aspects of the work.
Willingness to be flexible and work as part of a whole-organisation team.
Ability to travel throughout the county, with Access to Work assistance if required.
We would welcome your application by covering letter and CV sent to k.wakefield@sightconcern.co.uk. If you would like any further information, please contact Katy Wakefield at the above email address or by calling 01905 723245.
The closing date for applications is midday on Thursday 18th July 2024.
The Bradbury Centre
2 Sansome Walk
Worcester
Worcestershire
WR1 1LH
Registered Charity: 1136716. Company: 07258623.
