Disability Equalities Lead

Disability Equalities Lead

About the Role

Our client is the only major charity whose core focus is the therapeutic and health benefits of bringing people and horses together and they have built their reputation and their success by providing activities for disabled people and people with long term health conditions. Their activities are recommended by Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists, and the majority of their participants are referred to them by a medical professional.

Their aim is to broaden their reach of participants to ensure that all individuals who could benefit from participating in activities with them have access to their offering, especially those from groups who are currently underrepresented.

Role Purpose

The role holder will be the key advocate within the organisation and their subject matter expert on disability. This role will work alongside the wider Participation team and all other functions to understand, advise and advocate for both current and future disabled participants taking part in their activity opportunities.

Specific Responsibilities

- Strategy Development and Implementation
- The role holder will develop and implement strategies and plans to significantly broaden the range of impairments that they can support, including health and therapy, removing barriers to participation and building expertise and know how
- The role holder will work collaboratively with the Head of Participation and the wider Participation Team to support the development and implementation of a comprehensive Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy that aligns with their values, goals, and aspirations with a specific emphasis on disability

Disability Advocacy

- To be the ‘subject matter expert’ on disability for them and to represent them both internally and externally by networking and developing relationships within the equine sector at a national level
- To provide advice and guidance on disability and inclusion to their member groups, colleagues and volunteers
- Working alongside the Head of Participation and act as an advocate for all current participants to ensure that their voices are heard and that programmes are developed to meet their aspirations
- Build strategic partnerships with non-equine charities, advocates, agencies and support networks for disabled people to draw on their expertise to develop partnerships and programmes that offer therapeutic interventions to participants
- Work with the Coaching and Equine Teams, Groups and National Lead Volunteers to ensure that the needs of participants are delivered across venues, facilities, equipment and equines that they work with.

Awareness, Education and Training

- Education: Develop and deliver information and training programs to educate Groups, employees and volunteers to foster awareness and sensitivity around disability diversity and inclusion

Policy and Procedure Enhancement

- Provide advice and guidance throughout the their network to ensure that their policies and procedures are inclusive and equitable

Person Specification

Essential Criteria

- Proven experience in disability and inclusion, program management
- Knowledge of the disability sector and key bodies
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills
- Ability to build relationships and collaborate across diverse groups
- Cultural sensitivity and an understanding of the importance of inclusion
- Empathy with the aims and values of the organisation
- Excellent communication skills (written and verbal)
- Computer literate

Desirable Criteria

- Experience of project management tools and techniques
- Some knowledge of equestrian world
- Knowledge of their federated structure
- Analytical skills to interpret data and assess progress
- Experience of working with volunteers
- Disability Equalities Lead

Location:National Office (Lowlands Equestrian Centre, Warwickshire)
Contract Type: Permanent, Full time
Salary: £30,000 per annum
Benefits: Competitive

Closing date 27-11-2023

REF-209 530