Jobs for the Disability sector

Purpose of the role:

The Energy Advice Coordinator will provide essential advice to people affected by spinal cord injury who are struggling with, or at risk of fuel poverty, helping them to improve their situation while recognising and responding to the unique challenges that spinal cord injury can bring. They will manage a caseload offering practical solutions, whilst developing referral pathways to connect them with relevant services to improve their energy efficiency and reduce their fuel costs.

The role will also lead the development of knowledge and skills across Back Ups’ staff and volunteer teams, developing easy to use resources and an understanding of when and how to escalate cases for more in-depth advice. They will work closely with sector charities and advice organisations to ensure a high quality of seamless support while creating a lasting legacy for people affected by spinal cord injury.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• To provide impartial advice to householders on the telephone, at events or online group events.
• Make use of internal and external referral systems to ensure clients’ needs are met;
•  Respond to enquiries from the public, local authority staff, private and voluntary sectors or installers and, where appropriate, redirecting them to members of staff or other agencies;
• Maintain quality of advice and information as required
• Work with the wider Back Up team to create resources to support people affected by spinal cord injury, both digitally and physically.
• Work with Back Up’s services team to embed and deliver group based online advice sessions in our support groups and course modules.
• Develop and lead a programme to ensure Back Up’s services staff and volunteers develop a baseline of knowledge that enables them to identify and provide basic information to people affected by spinal cord injury around energy efficiency.
• Conduct thorough assessments of clients' energy needs and identify potential solutions and further sources of support through telephone-based support.
• Provide tailored advice on energy-saving measures and support schemes to the caseload.
• Work collaboratively with local authorities, energy providers, and other relevant organisations to ensure comprehensive support for those in the caseload.
• Educate people affected by spinal cord injury on energy efficiency and ways to reduce their energy consumption.
• Maintain accurate records of all interactions and support provided, ensuring confidentiality and compliance with data protection regulations.
• Support the project manager with the development, delivery, and evaluation of the energy advice project.
• To maintain up to date, working knowledge of sustainable energy matters, affordable warmth, renewable energy, water heating and usage.
• At all times, ensure that advice service and activity are in line with the requirements of the project;
• Effectively utilise existing sources of data to identify suitable opportunities to meet customers’ needs.
• Stay up to date with relevant policies, schemes, and best practices related to fuel poverty and energy efficiency
• To develop and implement partnerships and referral routes that support people affected by spinal cord injury with relevant energy advice.
• Liaise with organisations to develop partnerships by utilising appropriate resources and support mechanisms;
• Represent Back Up at various partner meetings;
• Develop and maintain effective operational partnerships with key delivery agents and stakeholders.
• Monitor and report on the impact of interventions and support provided.

General

• Take responsibility for ensuring communications are in line with GDPR.
• Ensure that you work within Back Up’s policy framework.
• Carry out any other tasks that may be within the scope of the post to ensure the
• effective delivery and development of the service.

 The above list is not exclusive or exhaustive, and the post holder will be required to undertake such duties as may reasonably be expected within the scope of this role.

PERSON SPECIFICATION:

Essential:

• Minimum of 1 years' experience in a similar role, ideally within Energy Advice or similar area.
• City & Guilds Energy Awareness 6281-01 or the ability to achieve this.
• Willingness to undertake mandatory training and development opportunities as required.
• A keen interest in energy issues and concerns currently facing energy consumers.
• An enthusiastic attitude, patience and empathy to support people with the issues they are facing and the ability to assess individual situations and provide practical and effective solutions.
• To be non-judgemental and respect views, values and cultures that are different to your own.
• The ability to prioritise your own work and meet deadlines.
• Demonstrable experience of providing Information advice and support, preferably withing the energy advice sector.
• Experience of working with both groups and individuals to provide support.
• Experience of delivering/facilitating training workshops.
• Experience of managing own projects and working to targets and deadlines.
• A good understanding of evaluation and confidence in gathering feedback data to measure impact.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to explain complex information in a clear and accessible manner.
• IT/digital skills including ability to use Microsoft packages and a willingness to learn new packages as required.
• Able to build excellent relationships with a range of stakeholders
• Strong attention to detail and the ability to record information effectively.
• Flexible and can respond professionally to changing briefs, deadlines and priorities.
• Flexibility to work occasional evenings and weekends as required.

Desirable:

• Personal or professional knowledge of disability, particularly spinal cord injury.
• Demonstrable experience of providing Information advice and support within the energy advice sector.

About us

Join our team at the MPS Society, one of the leading rare genetic disease charities in the UK aiming to transform the lives of individuals and their families affected by MPS, Fabry and other related lysosomal diseases.  This is a rare opportunity to join our Support & Communities teams who provide direct support, practical guidance and other patient focused activities to over 1500 members and their families, UK-wide. 

Our Support Team raise awareness both within the MPS community and external agencies, offering information, advice, support, and advocacy in a range of areas including clinical management, health and social care, housing, education, transition, independent living, palliative care, and bereavement.  

Ideal candidate

As a Senior Support Officer, you will primarily be responsible for raising awareness and providing a high-quality support and advocacy service to our members and their families.   You will be a relationship builder who cares about the community we serve and ensures that the individual (or family) remains at the centre of support.  You will have experience in multi-agency working and an in-depth understanding of the needs of those with disabilities, their families and carers.  Demonstrable experience and knowledge of health and social care, education and relevant assessment processes are essential. 

As deputy safeguarding lead officer for both shildren and vulnerable adults you will take the lead in the absence of the safeguarding leads and be confident sharing your knowledge with new recruits through mentoring.

You will have excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to uphold best practice, challenge poor policy and inappropriate decisions.  Excellent IT skills and the ability to plan, prioritise and deliver to tight timescales are essential.  You will be self-motivated and highly organised, juggling many strands of work. 

As part of a small, dedicated team, you will have a positive attitude and a willingness to work collaboratively with your colleagues and external parties to raise awareness, advocate for our membership, as well as supporting the delivery and development of services for the MPS Society community.

Whilst a relevant qualification within health & social care, education or a related field is desirable, other knowledge and work experiences may be equally as valuable in this role. Prior knowledge of MPS and related conditions is not required however a special interest in neurology and working with individuals with neurological disabilities is advantageous.  In-depth support and training to develop expertise in MPS and related conditions, and the needs of those affected by these progressive, life-limiting conditions will be provided.   

What we can offer you

Join us and you will be working for a caring charity offering:

• A competitive salary
• Generous annual leave of 25 days plus bank holidays (pro-rata for part time hours)
• Extra leave between Christmas and the New Year
• Pension
• Life assurance (subject to the conditions of the scheme)
• Employee assistance programme offering support 24/7

Further information

The successful candidate must be eligible to work in the UK.

This is a full-time role (35 hrs per week) however part time hours, with a minimum of 28 hrs per week may be agreed for the right candidate.  Salary will be pro-rata for part-time.

The main duties, responsibilities and essential requirements of this role can be viewed on the attached job description.

This is an essential car user post. The applicant must hold a current UK driver’s licence, with no more than 6 points, have access to a car and be able and willing to drive UK wide as required.

This role is offered on a hybrid basis with a minimum of 2 days in our Amersham office each week. As part of the role, UK wide travel is necessary. This may on occasion include early morning and/or evening working and sometimes overnight stays.  You may also occasionally be required to attend evening or weekend conferences and events. We have policies in place to ensure that any unsociable hours worked are fairly compensated.

We encourage candidates to visit the MPS Society website to learn more about us and the community we serve.  Alternatively, if you would like an informal chat about the role or the work of the MPS Society, please contact Bethanie Pentecost.

Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS)

The MPS Society is a charity that provides a range of care, support and activities for children and adults at risk throughout the UK. This is provided through our dedicated support and advocacy service, telephone helpline, clinical research, online activities and forums, annual events, patient expert meetings, focus groups and conferences.  MPS staff, trustees and volunteers may be asked to be involved in the delivery of its regulated services and activities. 

This post is exempt under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.  Due to the sensitive nature of the duties undertaking, the post holder will be expected to undertake a DBS check as part of the recruitment process and for this to be reviewed on a regular basis. 

Next steps: 

Applications:  Please provide your CV and a supporting statement (maximum 750 words) outlining your understanding of how rare, complex and progressive conditions such as Mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS), including their neurological impacts, can affect individuals and families across the life course. In your response, please describe the experience, skills and approaches you have developed that would support you to carry out the Senior Support Officer role, including (where relevant) supporting people with complex needs, working across health, education and social care systems, and providing advice, advocacy or casework support.

Kindly note, applications received without a supporting statement will not be considered. 

Closing Date:   Whilst we have an initial closing date of 20th March, we reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive enough suitable applications to take forward to interview and assessment.

1st interviews:  Initial virtual interviews will be held end March/early April.

2nd interviews: Final face-to-face interviews and assessments will be held on 16th & 17th April at MPS House, Amersham.

At Thrive, our Practitioners work with plants and people to improve an individual’s physical and psychological health, social interaction. skills and confidence.

We’re looking for a Specialist STH Practitioner with qualifications in Horticulture and a Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement who can deliver, primarily, our City & Guild Level 1 Practical Horticulture Skills for our Pathways programme. There would be some flexibility required to provide other Social and Therapeutic Horticulture (STH) programmes for adults in our gardens in Battersea Park and outreach settings.

Working alongside volunteers this role will support people with learning disabilities, autism, long term health conditions or disabilities to move into their next step in their life whether is further training or employment.

Based at Thrive’s London Centre in Battersea Park. The role will involve some work undertaken off-site in London and occasional travel to the Thrive Centres in Reading and Birmingham.

Appointment to this post will be subject to receipt of 2 references and a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service check. Thrive complies fully with the DBS Code of Practice. Having a criminal record will not necessarily prevent an individual from working for Thrive.

Role Overview

The Tower Project’s award-winning JET Service is seeking a passionate and skilled Disability Employment Adviser to help transform the employment prospects of adults and young people with learning disabilities and autism.

This is a varied community-facing role combining personalised employment support, employer partnership working and in-work coaching. You will manage a caseload of aproximatley 25 clients at different stages of their employment journey and work collaboratively with colleagues, employers and referral partners to create meaningful employment opportunities.

You will be supported by the Employment Support Team Lead and will play an important role in delivering positive, measurable outcomes for individuals across East London.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

IAG and Employment Support

You will act as the key adviser for a cohort of clients, delivering high-quality, person-centred employment support that leads to sustained paid outcomes.

You will:

• Build positive working relationships with referral partners including the Community Learning Disability Team, education providers and local support organisations.
• Complete vocational profiling, better-off calculations and personalised support plans focused on employment aspirations.
• Deliver one-to-one sessions to support CV development, interview preparation, confidence building and workplace readiness.
• Support clients to access appropriate training, qualifications and work experience opportunities aligned to their goals.
• Help clients identify and overcome barriers to employment through practical, solution-focused support.

Employer Partnerships and Job Matching

You will contribute to the development and maintenance of inclusive employer partnerships across the local area.

You will:

• Support the development of relationships with employers in a range of local sectors to support client progression.
• Promote inclusive recruitment practices and reasonable adjustments.
• Provide guidance and reassurance to employers on supporting employees with learning disabilities and autism.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues to match clients to suitable roles that reflect their strengths and aspirations.
• Maintain ongoing contact with employers to support sustained placements and positive working relationships.

In Work Support and Job Coaching

Where clients progress into employment, you will provide initial structured in-work support to help clients succeed and grow in their roles

You will:

• Conduct job and task analysis to ensure clear understanding of workplace expectations.
• Support employers to implement appropriate adjustments.
• Deliver workplace coaching using structured approaches such as Training in Systematic Instruction (TSI), gradually reducing support as independence develops.
• Monitor progress in partnership with the employer and client to support sustained employment.

Career Development

Support clients who are in sustained employment to explore progression opportunities, further training and career development pathways.

Monitoring and Administration

• Maintain accurate and timely client records in line with organisational requirements.
• Contribute to performance reporting, case studies and outcome data as required.
• Ensure compliance with safeguarding, confidentiality and data protection standards.

General Responsibilities

• Work towards agreed performance targets and contribute to overall team outcomes.
• Represent the service professionally at meetings and partnership events. 
• Build and maintain positive relationships with clients, employers and stakeholders.
• Keep up to date with relevant employment and benefits legislation.
• Follow the organisation’s policies, procedures.
• Participate in supervision, appraisal and ongoing professional development.
• Contribute to a positive, collaborative and inclusive team culture.

We are looking to employ a Housing and Welfare Benefits Advisor for Camden Disability Action's Social Welfare Advice services. You will have at least two years' experience providing welfare rights advice and housing casework and have up-to -date knowledge of welfare benefits and housing law, especially relating to Disabled adults.  Your role will be to identify potential income maximisation and provide the support needed to get benefits correctly assessed, and assisting with appeals as well as supporting Disabled people with housing support, including homelessness prevention measures.  You will work in a holistic way, managing and holding complex cases and advocating for clients across statutory services, specialist advice partners and community organisations.

You will be committed to learning more about the Social Model of Disability and you will share our vision for a radically inclusive world where people with differences are never disabled by the society in which they live.

The post is currently funded for 12 months, however it is an organisational priority to secure ongoing funding for this role and to keep growing the size and scope of our advice team.

The role is advertised as hybrid and a minimum of 2 days on site in the NW5 1LB office is essential.

Deadline for applications is Monday 23rd March 5pm. Interviews will be held on Tuesday 31st March and Wednesday 1st April.