To ensure that working practices between Independent living Advisors are uniform and comply with organisation ethos and quality standards

Transcription

1 Job Description JOB TITLE: AREA COVERED: RESPONSIBLE TO: Senior Independent Living Advisor All Service Manager Objectives To actively promote, establish and develop independent living services Support, line manage and develop team of staff To ensure that working practices between Independent living Advisors are uniform and comply with organisation ethos and quality standards To support the user to independence through the set up and management of independent living schemes, giving independent advice and information to existing and potential users and their supporters for any independent living scheme, including Direct Payments (DP) and Personal Health Budgets (PHB). To support the Operations Manager to ensure that the organisation is able to fulfil its contractual, legal and moral obligations through the implementation and evaluation of quality systems and procedures. Main Duties 1. To develop and maintain a detailed understanding of independent living schemes including PHB/DP/EHC s (Education, Health & Care) including legal framework, support planning and how they can support personalisation. 2. To have a detailed understanding of each independent living project s contractual obligations and service level agreements and ensure that projects are delivered in line with these requirements. 3. To actively work with the Service Manager to ensure services are user led, developed within budget, in line with the wants and needs of users whilst adhering to contractual and legal requirements. Highlighting best practise and case studies to assist with future development of services. 4. Maintain effective and co-operative working relationships with relevant bodies and be actively involved in project meetings and to produce detailed minutes/reports as appropriate. 5. To be aware of and up to date with relevant independent living information and provide content and updates accordingly to head office for newsletters, leaflets, starter packs, team meetings and websites. 6. To manage diary and case load effectively in order to provide a quality service whilst minimising costs e.g. travel costs.

2 7. To promote, through training and support, service user empowerment and independence in the management of their independent living scheme, reducing reliance, where appropriate, on the support service. 8. To support service users with support planning and brokerage for their personal budget to enable them to fulfil their personal aims, aspirations and agreed outcomes. 9. To provide information, training and support with the set up and financial management of an independent living scheme, including information on our Managed Accounts and Payroll Service, budgeting, opening and maintaining a separate bank account (as appropriate), retaining receipts and completing returns (for auditing purposes). 10. To advise and support on issues relating to the engagement of staff including recruitment advertising, job descriptions and person specifications, interviewing, contracts of employment, employment law, taxation, National Insurance, insurance and health & safety. 11. To advise on payroll options and support them through to independence in the set up and ongoing management including related issues that may arise (e.g. holiday, maternity and sick pay). 12. To advise and support those using agencies to enable them to choose an appropriate agency and manage relationships with agencies independently. 13. To deliver in house training to Independent Living Advisors to enable them to carry out their role in line with their Job Description. 14. To arrange periodic shadowing of, and being shadowed by Independent Living Advisors to share appropriate working practices and set best practice. 15. To effectively line manage, supervise and appraise staff assigned to the project in order to ensure that their personal development needs are addressed as per the Appraisal and Supervision policy. 16. To develop regular training sessions/workshops for professionals to ensure that they are fully engaged with appropriate independent living schemes. 17. To alert the Service Manager where there is a safeguarding concern, suspected fraud, abuse or any other important concern. 18. To maintain detailed up to date client records of the work carried out and to complete appropriate internal paperwork. 19. Publicise, promote and participate in events, ensuring that information is available in a range of accessible formats and to arrange interpreting, translating and other support requirements in order for interested parties to take full advantage of independent living schemes and the support service provided.

3 20. To maintain a suitable home working environment, completing an annual risk assessment and complying with our Data Protection Policy. 21. To be fully conversant with the Lone Working Policy and procedures and to adopt safe working practices at all times. 22. To participate in the development of the organisation s Business Plan with specific responsibility for ensuring that the wants and needs of independent living scheme users are considered and given due reference. 23. To maintain effective communication channels to ensure that all staff and volunteers are kept informed about all things that affect their ability to perform within the project and to maintain a sense of belonging and worth within the team. 24. To raise relevant sales invoice requests ensuring that all project work is charged to the correct cost centre. 25. To maintain a positive and professional image of the organisation at all times. 26. To be aware of and adhere to Compass Disability Services policies and procedures at all times. 27. To abide by the rules and guidelines as laid down in the Staff Handbook. 28. To remain aware of, and abide by, current legislation, organisation policy and the eight principles relating to Data Protection. 29. To commit to the necessary training and development activities in order to fulfil the role and your potential. 30. Attendance at staff meetings, external events and other meetings as required. 31. Travelling is an integral part of this role. Drivers must hold a full driving licence, which allows them to drive in the UK and Class 1 Business Use Insurance and must abide by the Use of Private Vehicles for Company Business Policy at all times. Non-drivers must be able to arrange the necessary travelling, giving consideration to the needs of the role and the incompatibility of public transport. 32. Any other duties considered necessary to further the aims of the organisation. This Job Description is subject to continuous review and therefore the main duties may change on a temporary or permanent basis from time to time.

4 Person Specification The Criteria for the post are: Must be able to demonstrate an understanding of, and a commitment to, disability equality and equality of opportunity for all people in the community. Working knowledge of personalisation and person centred support. Experience, either paid or unpaid, of working within a supportive role for groups of, or individual, disabled people who use health or community care services. ILM Certificate in Management or Skills Test equivalent. A proven track record in managing a team of people of various competencies and the ability to carry out effective supervision sessions and appraisals. Experience of working within a quality assurance framework. Good communication skills, including written, oral and listening skills.. Well-developed organisational skills and experience of balancing conflicting workload priorities. Experience and understanding of employment issues such as recruitment, health & safety, writing job descriptions, contracts of employment and personnel issues e.g. grievance and disciplinary procedures, DBS checks and rotas. A willingness to work flexibly to engage with service users outside of normal office hours to achieve positive outcomes. Willingness to travel. Home internet connection suitable for work purposes. Fully competent in the use of MS Office products (such as Word, Excel, Publisher and Access), online services, the internet and . This post is partly home working, necessary equipment will be provided. You will need to be able to demonstrate an ability to manage a work/home life balance and demonstrate an understanding of data protection legislation as applied to data maintained outside of the office environment.

5 Terms of Employment Permanent contract Salary Scale ( to 24962) depending on experience, pro rata Working Hours 37 hours per week Probationary Period There will be a six month probationary period Annual Leave Annual leave is 25 days pro-rata plus statutory and Bank Holidays, unless applicant s current contract with Compass Disability Services provides for more than this. Travel The post will involve frequent travel and the post holder must be able to manage this as and when necessary. Travel Expenses will be paid at Compass Disability Services rates. Disclosure and Barring Service This post is subject to an enhanced DBS disclosure and the post holder is required to sign up to the online update service. Initial costs will be met by Compass Disability Services.