Entry level jobs for the Disability sector

In-Work Support Worker (Job Coach)
Salary: £15 p/h
Place of work: Various London locations
Reports to: Project Lead – Employment Development & Access Support
Contract period: Various hours as needed – zero hours contract (Bank Staff)

The Organisation

Action on Disability (AoD), founded in 1979, is one of London’s leading Disabled People’s Organisations. As we believe in the Social Model of Disability, our values and principles embrace inclusive and accessible ways of working both internally and in all our activities, seek the participation and contribution of our members, and encourage and respect diversity.

The organisation is a medium sized charity with a Board of Trustees, 24 staff and a strong ad hoc staff and volunteer base including many with direct experience of disability – all of whom are passionate about removing the barriers that disabled people face.

AoD provides five key services. These are: Youth, Employment, Welfare Benefits, Independent Living and Direct Payments.

AoD’s Employment Service

The Action on Disability Employment Service is setting the agenda for disability employment across London with great results. We have carved out a role, and reputation, for setting up and delivering supported internships for people with learning disabilities. We provide management, job coaching and employer engagement for over 50 young people with learning disabilities each year across our 6 internship sites.

We are looking to recruit a number of job coaches to support interns and graduates of these programs in their jobs.

Background

Action on Disability is the supported employment service partner on a number of supported internships for young people with learning disabilities around West and South London. They are looking to recruit a number of job coaches to support interns and graduates of these programs in their jobs.

The Post

The purpose of the job is to provide coaching, support and guidance to young people with learning disabilities (17+) within their workplaces. You will support interns/graduates to become independent in their roles and provide the necessary coaching, training and encouragement to enable them to succeed. You will work closely with the employer to ensure they are supported and can confidently manage and train their intern/employee once your support has been withdrawn.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• To carry out a detailed job analysis of potential jobs / work placements
• To carry out detailed job matching of service users and jobs
• To comprehensively learn jobs across different sectors – not restricted to but potentially including – Catering, Customer Service, Administration, IT and Retail
• To implement training/coaching plans which will enable the candidates to fulfil their roles to employer standards
• To conduct regular reviews to ensure candidates are progressing within their roles and to identify and meet new support needs
• To build up natural support within employers and taper off one 1:1 job coaching over time
• To negotiate and implement disability-related reasonable adjustments on an individual basis
• To identify client’s skills, strengths, interests and aspirations to inform an ongoing vocational profile
• To liaise with managers to discuss progress and respond to issues

Organisational responsibilities

• To work in accordance with Action on Disability’s Aims, Objectives and Values
• To comply with all organisational and departmental policies and procedures, and in particular to ensure safe, fair and responsible working practices through the implementation of AoD’s Health & Safety, Equal Opportunities, Safeguarding and Confidentiality policies
• To promote the work of AoD and promote and implement the social model of disability
• To keep accurate records and provide monitoring statistics and evaluation information as required for internal and external purposes
• To participate in and actively contribute to individual supervision, training, team and organisational meetings
• To work flexibly, being prepared to perform other duties commensurate with the role, which may include new areas of operation following consultation
• Any other task appropriate to the role.

Person Specification

Essential

• High expectations for the employment potential of young people with learning disabilities
• Experience of training, education or employment support delivery for marginalised groups
• Significant and demonstrable experience of supporting people facing complex barriers to achieve their goals
• An understanding of the needs of employers and the benefits to business of having a diverse workforce
• An understanding of the Social Model of Disability and its practical application
• Ability and willingness to learn and carry out all tasks within a variety of jobs, in order to be able to coach the client
• Demonstrable experience of success in building strong and positive relationships and rapport with a wide variety of people and organisations
• Demonstrable problem-solving skills and experience
• Excellent negotiation skills
• Demonstrable ability to communicate with a wide range of people
• Good organisational skills and ability to keep accurate records and case notes
• Good IT skills, including Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, Powerpoint and the internet and a good level of computer literacy.
• Being willing and able to travel easily within the boroughs of London relevant to the role
• To be available for work during some unsocial hours according to the demands of the work

Desirable

• Qualification in Advice and Guidance/Supported Employment/Youth Work or Training
• An understanding of the factors to be considered in supporting people with learning disabilities into employment
• Experience of working with disabled young people

Finally, Action on Disability positively welcomes applications from disabled people. Please identify any specific requirements you may have, or wish to bring, to ensure full access at your interview if you are shortlisted.

Deadline: Ongoing. We recruit for this role on a rolling basis with regular interview days.

Interested?

If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our website where you can complete your application for this position.

Action on Disability prides itself on being an accessible and equal opportunity employer.

No agencies please.