Job Title: Learning & Development Lead

Salary: £35,000 depending on experience

Job type: 37.5 hours, full time

Location: Home based with some national overnight travel

Closing Date: Friday 30 April 2021

About the Role

If you want to put your expertise in making a difference to how people learn, grow and develop while meeting service, organisational and regulatory needs to good use, and having the opportunity to learn and develop – then this is the role for you.

Working in the social care sector is demanding and requires thinking outside of the box and finding creative solutions. This makes it challenging but a great learning environment to hone your knowledge and skills.

This is a new role for the Trust within the HR & OD service working closely with HR colleagues, the Quality Team and our general and registered managers. The role will contribute to the delivery of an effective and respected HR and L&D Service that enables achievement of the Trust’s strategic objectives and annual business plan, and growth agenda, by:

• Leading on the identifying of L&D needs and developing the Trust’s blended learning offering to produce the annual delivery plan, evaluation framework and budget
• Providing advice and support to managers on L&D interventions to improve services and develop people’s ability to apply their learning into practice
• Leading on and contributing to projects that underpin the required ‘ways of working’ and promote innovation in service delivery

You will need all your experience, ambition, energy and sense of fun to make this role work, alongside a desire to improve the life of opportunity for people with learning disabilities. In return we will provide great support, committed and knowledgeable colleagues and the opportunity to shape and lead our blended learning offering and its impact on people and services.

This is a home-based role with travel to our communities – North Yorkshire/Middlesbrough; Hertfordshire; Gloucestershire; West Midlands.

If this sounds exciting to you and you have the skills, experience and enthusiasm to help us achieve our vision then we look forward to hearing from you.

Safeguarding & Quality Officer

Home Based: with occasional travel to head office in Stevenage

Job reference: 32

Contract Type: Permanent

Full time: 37 hours per week, 37 hours, 5 days per week working Monday to Friday 9am-5pm

Salary: £22,000 - £24,000 per annum (depending on experience) + Benefits

We are seeking an experienced individual to support us in the role of a Safeguarding and Quality Officer to ensure POhWER fulfils its obligations to protecting and safeguarding people who come into contact with our charity.

Our ideal candidate will have comprehensive working knowledge of current safeguarding, child and adult protection legislation, statutory and related guidance as well as carrying out risk assessments and the ability to input relevant control measures.

This role is ideal for someone who has undertaken comprehensive safeguarding training and has experience in working within a safeguarding governance framework, enjoys attention to detail, familiar with report writing and data collection.  As well has dealing with complex issues proficient in IT, and enjoys working effectively as part of a team.  Our ideal candidate will have the ability to communicate clearly at all levels, be highly organised and able to prioritise their workload to meet deadlines and targets.

You will be an efficient professional looking for a challenge with the passion and empathy to succeed in a Charitable working environment.

Experience of working in a similar safeguarding role is essential as well as being able to implement best practice in working confidently to promote the POhWER’s values.

The full Job Description and Applicant Information Pack can be downloaded from our website or Charity Jobs.

How to apply

Please submit your CV and cover letter (no longer than 1 side of A4) before the application deadline 10am, Tuesday 4th May 2021. 

In your cover letter please include your reasons for applying for the role, examples to demonstrate you have the necessary knowledge, skills and experience and what makes you a suitable applicant for this role.

Care & Learning Support Workers (Adults/Children)

£18,010.24 - £21,477.02 per annum (£9.24 – £11.01 per hour)

Full-time/part-time hours available
Are you considering a career change?
Has the pandemic inspired you to want to give back and support individuals in your community?

About the role

We currently have exciting Care & Support Worker vacancies in our Adult Home, Children’s Home and College supporting our residents and learners to live their lives as independently as possible in our well-equipped on site bungalows.

You will assist our residents and learners with various aspects of their day-to-day lives, including personal care, leisure activities, domestic duties, administering prescribed medication alongside developing life skills whilst promoting independence.

About you

You don’t need experience in care to join us – but you do need to be dedicated, caring and passionate about people. Our on-site training team will support you to achieve fully funded recognised qualifications in Care, Adult Care or Residential Childcare Child Care (RQF 2 & RQF 3). If you’re an excellent communicator with the desire, resilience, patience and motivation to support others we can offer you an incredibly rewarding role.

St Elizabeth’s Centre

St Elizabeth’s is situated in 68 acres of Hertfordshire countryside between Harlow and Bishop’s Stortford. We support people with Epilepsy and other complex needs in our Children’s Homes, School, College, Residential Homes with Nursing and Day Centre. At St Elizabeth’s it is essential that we recruit individuals with the right values and behaviours who can help us ensure our workplace values are at the heart of everything we do.

Our Benefits

In addition to excellent staff training, our employees are also rewarded with various other benefits offered as part of your employment:

Competitive salary
23 days annual leave (including bank holidays)
Currently a 20% uplift on your salary for working overtime on a Saturday & Sunday for full time permanent employees
Fully paid for DBS
Life Assurance
Opportunity to pursue recognised qualifications of your own
Free parking
High Street retail/leisure discounts
Discounted gym membership
Recommend a Friend payments of up to £300
Contributory Pension Scheme
Confidential Employee Assistance Programme
Subsidised Staff Transport Service – operating in line with Care & Support Worker Shift Patterns, in Bishops Stortford, Harlow, Sawbridgeworth, Hertford and Ware.

How can you find out more?

To apply and to find out more information about St Elizabeth’s, please visit our website.

All offers are conditional and subject to receipt of satisfactory pre-employment checks and references including an enhanced DBS check. Please note we are not on a public transport route. Salary is dependent on the role, qualifications and experience.

We reserve the right to close this advert if we receive sufficient applications ahead of the deadline.

Registered Charity 1176777 Equal opportunities employer

Ref: 98280

Money Advice Specialist

Contract Type: 1-year fixed term 

Hours: 12 hours a week Location: Based remotely if Covid restrictions apply, or based at Citizens Advice Harlow Salary: £7,776 (£25,920) Start Date: As soon as possible

You would be responsible for delivering a high quality, confidential, independent, and impartial Money advice, using multi-channel service delivery to help clients in this role. Led by the Head of Advice and Operations, you will be part of a team of Specialists who work to support the local community of Harlow.

You will:

· be responsible for ensuring that advice is delivered to consistently high standards and meets the technical requirements of Money Advice

· have excellent communication and advocacy skills

· have the ability to manage a caseload

· complement this with strong IT skills and ability to analyse and interpret information

Suitable candidates for the post will have recent experience of delivering debt advice to a wide range of clients (face to face and on the telephone). Additionally, priority will be given to applicants who are an approved Debt Relief Order Intermediary.

For a job pack and application form, please email

About us:

Camphill Village Trust is an award-winning national charity supporting people with learning and other disabilities. We provide housing, care, support and day opportunities to people with learning and other difficulties. We support people to be safe, healthy, happy and to be active citizens living a life of opportunity. 

Purpose of the Role:

Working as part of our management team in the Delrow Community, this role will involve taking the lead in developing bespoke packages of Positive Behavioural Support (PBS) to meet the individual needs of people with a range of learning disabilities, including autism. 

It is also to train, advise and support our staff with the implementation of strategies, to ensure we are providing consistent PBS across the Community.

 Key responsibilities:

• Improve communication for people we support (Switches, PECS, Eye Gaze,    Makaton signing etc.). To also have knowledge of Dysphagia assessment and  treatment.
• Advising on best practice and providing practice leadership and coaching to staff on Active Support and PBS. 
• Provide positive behaviour support training and physical interventions training.
• Take a leading role in the assessment, transition, and implementation of plans for new people we support.
• Follow and shape policies, procedures, and practices. To make sure appropriate recording and reporting arrangements exist to support the delivery and evidencing of service delivery standards 

 What we are looking for:

• A Positive Behaviour Support Qualification or accreditation
• Proven record of working with adults with learning disabilities and Autism Spectrum disorder.
• Skilled in using PBS and functional assessment to improve people’s lives 
• In depth experience of quality assurance processes and evidencing outcomes/standards. 

You may either have substantial experience working in adult social care or have experience as a psychologist, a learning disabilities nurse or a social worker.

We can offer a competitive salary, excellent benefits including 33 days annual leave, death in service benefits and access to our pension scheme. 

CHILDREN’S PRACTITIONER

Full-Time, 40 hours per week, (incl some regular evening work)

2 Year Fixed Term Contract

Salary £23,321 p.a. (inc London Allowance).

Are you looking to use your skills and experience to inspire a community that families want to be part of and that they can learn to contribute too?

Enact, in partnership with Oasis Community Partnerships, have a vacancy for a self-motivated and committed Children’s Practitioner to lead clubs, activities and training for local children and parents in the Enfield community.

If you would like to work in a fun and friendly environment then please read on…

The tasks involved are varied and interesting.  Our new team member will be a great all-rounder, an inspiring and enthusiastic practitioner:

• Leading and inspiring a session team (sessional workers, volunteers, young people and adults) to deliver a programme of universal, open-access community activities for children aged 0 - 11, both in school term and holiday time.
• Creating great resources to make our sessions fun, engaging ‘informal learning’ spaces.  Co-creating positive programmes that achieve our aims and vision.
• Collecting and recording key data and evidence that we can use in feedback to Trustees and Funders.
• Being one of the ‘faces’ of enact children’s and families work, helping us maintain a positive reputation of the enact Kids Club and family provision in the community.

You could be successful in this role if you: 

• NVQ Level 3 or equivalent or other professional qualification in relevant sector (essential)
• Safeguarding training or the willingness to receive detailed training
• Knowledge of the legal frameworks required in running community based programmes for children.
• Knowledge that you understand how to set up a programme and room with ‘fun’, ‘health & safety’ and ‘learning’ in mind.

In return, Oasis and EIYCT can offer:

• Flexible working practices and family friendly policies.
• A supportive network and family of staff in a motivating working environment.
• A non-contributory defined benefit pension scheme with 7% employer contributions.
• 25 days holiday per year (plus Bank Holidays), rising to 30 days after 2 years of service.

What our employees say:

“Getting to know the local community is so much fun and knowing what you're doing is having a positive impact is totally rewarding. I am learning new things all the time and being part of a rich and diverse community of people is wonderful.” (Children & Families Specialist)

Oasis is committed to making a difference to the lives of the communities it works in. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We expect all staff to share this commitment and to undergo appropriate checks, including enhanced DBS checks.

 We actively encourage applications from people of all ethnic backgrounds and minority and underrepresented groups.

Closing date for sending in your CV and Cover Letter is:  9am Tuesday 20th April 2021.

Interviews will be held on week commencing 10th May 2021 in Enfield, North London.

Oasis supports Equal Opportunities.  Registered Charity No. 1163889

Background:

The National Organisation for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder is now starting the 2nd year of a three-year campaign designed to raise awareness of the risks of alcohol in pregnancy among those aged 15 - 25. This age group is often overlooked in messaging and yet raising their awareness could have the most profound impact on decreasing future cases of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), a preventable neurodevelopmental disability that affects more people than autism but is little understood.

A recent poll National FASD conducted with OnePoll showed that young people are engaging in risky behaviours with alcohol, sex and contraception. Half of them are embarrassed to talk about these issues. They are most comfortable talking to friends, but they don’t have access to solid information about these topics. While 32% said they were taught in school about how to get pregnant and the act of having sex, 85% did not learn about the risks of alcohol in pregnancy and 84% did not learn about binge drinking. Only 45% feel they know how to prepare for a healthy pregnancy when they are ready to have a family. We seek to change this – that is the number one goal of this project. This year is a breakthrough moment for progress, with a new NICE Quality Standard on FASD later this year. We believe the time is now for a positive, supportive public campaign targeted at young people, empowering them to spread the word about the importance of alcohol-free pregnancy and promoting healthy pregnancies without shaming or blaming anyone. This will be a innovative as most public campaigns that exist focus primarily on pregnant women and ignore Generation Z.

Role purpose:

• To drive forward our Prevent FASD Project with passion, tenacity, imagination and good judgement, to help achieve dramatic change in awareness of the risks of alcohol in pregnancy among young adults.
• To help produce content for a public prevention campaign aimed at young adults, focusing on social media. The post holder will also support larger outreach projects.
• To provide minimal office administrative support.

Key responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Work with the Chief Executive and a PR team to plan and produce compelling content about the risks of alcohol in pregnancy for 15-25 year-olds
• Coordinate an annual “stigma stomping” conference (title t.b.d.) designed to inspire and empower people to shake their local systems into providing more awareness and support
• Be accountable for the organisation’s FASD prevention strategy and for the consistent delivery of high-profile, high-impact media and social media activity, by working with the chief executive and consultants to build our role as a powerful communicator
• Use a range of innovative formats like infographics, stories, blogs etc. to bring complex stories to the attention of online readers in a more succinct form
• Monitor social media and working with the chief executive post updates
• Liaise with a range of advisors including: experts, policy makers, people with lived experience, adults with FASD and other young adults
• Help devise a prevention campaign featuring female MPs
• Work with polling company on annual national polls of young adults
• Help prepare and distribute a media pack, a schools’ pack and pubs pack focused on FASD prevention – working with our project partners including Much Laughter: Stand Up for FASD.
• Help launch an FASD Advocacy Academy – working with other like-minded independent groups (including any interested sister organisations in the FASD UK Alliance) and experts – featuring monthly zoom webinars emphasising media and skills training and organising tips for local and regional support groups
• Monitor project budget and work with bookkeeper and Chief Executive to ensure financial oversight
• Perform such other responsibilities as may be required from time to time in order to ensure the smooth running of the organisation as a whole (approximately 1/2 day per week)

Location: 

We are willing to consider flexible arrangements, for example a split between working in the office and at home – with regular meet ups scheduled. We place a priority on engaging people with lived experience with FASD and are open to creative suggestions to make that possible to the extent we can. Due to COVID we have recently relocated the office to Hertfordshire. 

Note:

This post may expand into a full-time post and/or might be renewable after the end of the contract, if funding allows.

Person specification

The ideal candidate will be dynamic and creative, energised by the idea of contributing to the first national FASD public prevention campaign in the UK aimed at young adults. Candidates should be at ease with computers and social media, and be ready to work with a team of consultants, colleagues and like-minded organisations to shake things up, think outside the box and raise the profile of FASD among a key target audience. 

Qualifications: 

• Preferably at least 3 years’ experience working in a related field, either in paid work or through volunteering
• DBS check

Knowledge:

• Experience with FASD (or another neurodevelopmental condition) either through professional experience or lived experience is preferred
• Familiarity with the charitable/third sector 

Skills, abilities, competencies:

• Ability to work independently and juggle several projects
• Must have experience using a range of computer programmes such as Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, WordPress, SurveyMonkey, Zoom and/or an ability to easily learn new computer software

Experience: 

• Experience coordinating events and logistics 
• Experience with website development, social media outreach and/or graphic design
• Experience working with social media (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok)
• Experience developing a public campaign and working with media
• Some experience with administrative tasks

Personal attributes:

• Creative and dynamic approach to developing new projects
• Willingness to work in an informal, relaxed atmosphere but ability to engage professionally at a high level when needed
• Willingness to take professional development courses
• Willingness to travel across the UK
• Absolute commitment to a no-shame/no blame ethos when discussing issues related to alcohol in pregnancy

To apply: 

Please send a cover letter explaining why you want to work on the Prevent FASD campaign, your c.v. and an example if you have one of a related piece of work or experience that you think shows what skills and energy you can bring to National FASD. 

Please familiarise yourself with our three websites before applying to see the kind of work we do.

Deadline for applications:

28 April 2021; interviews for those short-listed - week of 3 May. 

Start date:

We hope the person can be in post by 17 May.

Peer Support Co-ordinator With Viewpoint (A Charity supporting people with mental health and/or addiction challenges)

22 Hours Per Week
12 Month Fixed Contract
£16016 Annual Salary

Pension: Following a three-month period of employment, Viewpoint will
contribute a sum equal to 5% of your annual salary to a pension provided that you contribute at least 3% of your annual salary to the pension scheme.

Annual leave: Annual leave will commence following six months probationary
period and will rise to 25 days plus 8 Bank holidays – Pro Rota.

Other benefits: Training, Development and Supervision

Overview of the role

Peer Support Coordinator will lead the small team of Peer Support Facilitators and support people with mental health and/or addiction challenges by offering peer led sessions to support their personal recovery, based on the person’s individualised person centre approach.

The Peer Facilitators will provide peer support and practical assistance to individuals to support them to regain control over their lives and their own unique personal recovery journey.

Through sharing the wisdom of their own lived experience of recovery, the Peer co-ordinator and Peer Facilitates will inspire hope and belief that recovery is possible in others. Within a relationship of mutuality, they will facilitate and support information sharing to promote choice, self-determination and opportunities for the fulfilment of socially valued roles and connection to local communities.

About Viewpoint

Viewpoint develops innovative ways that support people with a lived experience of mental health issues and/or addiction challenges—working with 1000 experts by experience, putting them at the centre of all everything we do. We support people to be independent, have their say and influence change to services. Working across the whole of Hertfordshire.

Our support is flexible and needs-led, delivered by outreach group-based activity, one to one or remotely. Staff or members who have a lived experience facilitate our programmes. We offer educational sessions that enhance wellbeing and equip individuals with the skills and self-belief to aid their recovery personal journey.

Main duties and responsibilities

To support people who are experiencing mental health challenges to:

• Maintain and develop their independence within their local community.
• Build life skills, confidence, resilience and self-esteem.
• Build social networks and reduce isolation.
• Engage in peer support sessions and offer holistic support, advice, information, and if necessary onward referral to other support.
• Opportunities to direct their own recovery process through self-management and choice.

To use personal recovery to

• Model and mentor recovery and demonstrate coping skills.
• Embed a person-centred and recovery-orientated approach in all aspects of the work.
• Inspire hope, share life experiences and lessons learnt.

Deadline: 7th May 2021

Interviews Week Commencing: 17th May 2021

We are seeking an enthusiastic and dedicated Care and Support Manager (Registered Manager) to help us deliver high quality services, which are focused on person centred outcomes, and delivered within budget.

We are a leading, long established and progressive UK charity supporting adults with learning disabilities, mental health problems and other support needs. We support people in nine communities across England.  

Our Camphill philosophy recognises the uniqueness of the individual and we seek to respect, value and enhance the strengths and potential of each person we support. Working with these principles in the contemporary social care context we are committed to providing each person with real opportunities for personal development .

The successful candidate will have:

• Ideally been a registered manager or had responsibilities in maintaining registration
• Solid experience of management and supervision within the Adults with Learning Disabilities sector
• A level 5 social care management qualification or equivalent
• Ideally have a nursing or social worker background
• Have a thorough practical knowledge of good practice in the social care sector

It is essential that you are a strong people manager who can develop, mentor and coach staff and can demonstrate a strong drive to delivering excellent, person-centred services. 

You will be IT literate, hold a full UK driving licence and will be able to share the on-call duty management with other managers.

We will not wait until the closing date to arrange interviews so if we have filled the vacancies before the advertised closing date then we will close this advert early.

Successful applicants for this role will require an Enhanced DBS check. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable adults. We will undertake checks of successful candidates before starting work, which will include an Enhanced DBS check.

Motability is a national charity which aims to enhance the lives of disabled people by improving their personal mobility. We help people to enjoy the freedom and independence to work, to learn, to get to appointments and to see family and friends. We provide a range of grants to help people with a range of disabilities and we oversee the Motability Scheme, through which some disabled people can use enhanced mobility benefits to lease a car, scooter or powered wheelchair. This is an exciting time for Motability. At a time of huge growth and of new opportunities, we want to make faster progress to realise our vision to ensure that no disabled person should be disadvantaged due to poor access to transportation.

We want to ensure that we are consistently monitoring and evaluating our work to demonstrate that our programmes are being implemented as designed, and achieving planned results (at output and outcome level) and targets. We want to use the findings from our monitoring to inform programme adaptations during implementation to course correct where required. We want our evaluations to inform our decisions about future of our existing programmes as well as other investments we need to make so that they are aligned to the mobility needs of disabled people. This will help us to better target and use our valuable resources and maximise the impact that we are having on the lives of disabled people by improving their personal mobility.

Purpose of the role

Our experience shows that being mobile helps disabled people to participate in work, to continue in education, to live independently, attend events and appointments as well as see friends and family. However we need to be able to evaluate our work and generate evidence that demonstrates how our work is having this impact as well as to capture other effects that our interventions may be having (positive or negative, direct or indirect). We also need to be able to identify what is and is not working that may be affecting the success of our work. Going forward we will also be undertaking cost benefit analysis of our programmes and developing a methodology to assess the anticipated and actual Social Return on Investment.

Key responsibilities

• Lead on design and implementation of evaluations that assess organisational and specific programme/project level relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, sustainability and financial, social and economic impact.
• Lead on design and implementation of a monitoring system capable of regularly reporting results for all programmes at output and outcome level. This may be in the form of a database which would be used to develop a dashboard capable of showing programme performance as well as organisational performance.
• Support the development of Motability’s Annual Impact Report
• Build capacity: Work with programme teams to support the development of programme/project specific monitoring and evaluation plans, Theories of Change and results frameworks which will then be used for evaluation purposes. This will involve building capacity of the programme teams, and working with other charities and organisations who are recipients of Motability Special Grants.
• Based on an agreed charity-wide annual evaluation plan, develop terms of reference for various evaluations, in consultation with programme/project teams, with clear purpose, objectives and evaluation questions, approach, methodology, resource requirements and work plan.
• Design evaluation approaches and methodologies, data collection instruments and analytical frameworks.
• Lead on tender processes where evaluations or components of them are to be outsourced, and manage delivery ensuring the work is delivered according to agreed timelines and meets user needs.
• Undertake and oversee design, collection and cleaning of data ready for analysis.
• Undertake analysis of the collected data to respond to the evaluation questions and criteria.
• Lead on writing of evaluation reports ensuring they are of high quality and suitable for target audiences.
• Present findings to internal/external audiences.

Profile:

Technical skills, knowledge and experience

1. Experience of monitoring and evaluating interventions with focus on undertaking process evaluations, measuring impact, calculating cost/benefit analysis and Social Return on Investments
2. Experience of working closely with project/programme teams to develop theories of change, results frameworks and monitoring and evaluation plans including designing output and outcome level indicators and evaluation frameworks.
3. Relevant qualification in an analytical discipline such as economics, statistics or social sciences, or evidence of professional experience in the area of evaluations.
4. Ability to design and implement programme and organisational level evaluations and monitoring systems. This includes:

• Being highly experienced in developing evaluation terms of reference working closely with programme teams.
• Selecting best fit evaluation methodologies according to purpose and objective of the evaluation.
• Designing data collection instruments and analytical framework.
• Familiarity with handling data protection protocols, ensuring data security and ethical considerations.
• Undertaking analysis and reporting.
• Where required managing and commissioning other agencies for data collection/analysis and specific aspects of an evaluation.

1. Highly experienced in report writing.
2. Highly IT literate with extensive experience of using Microsoft Office applications, and statistical and other qualitative software packages.
3. Understanding of disability, mobility and accessible design issues is desirable and the willingness to learn and apply evaluation design to this sector is essential.

Management and Coordination

1. Ability to collaborate and build effective working relationships with programme and project leads and other teams across the charity, helping others to recognise and embrace the benefits of evaluation activity.
2. Highly experienced to lead and manage on design and delivery of monitoring and evaluations using appropriate approaches and methodologies.
3. Highly experienced in coordinating across multiple teams, agencies and stakeholders and simultaneously deliver multiple evaluations, within agreed timelines.
4. Exceptional written and oral skills, including the ability to present complex information in simplified form for non-technical audiences.
5. Ability to work remotely, within a team and independently.

Key reporting and interfaces

Reports to Head of Impact and Evaluation.

The post-holder will be privy to and responsible for highly sensitive information and will be expected to exercise complete confidentiality.

He or she will work in close coordination with key managers and staff within the organisation as well as with external agencies, including organisations holding grants from Motability and research organisations.

We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, especially those with lived experience of disability or a long-term health condition.

Although initially based at home, the selected candidate will be expected to come to the office a minimum of 2-3 times per week as Covid-19 restrictions begin to ease. 

Recruiting for a Specialist Behavioural Support Worker to join our Learning Disabilities Service in Hertfordshire!

GBP 20,135 working 40 hours per week, plus 25 days Annual Leave, Pension schemes, Staff discounts, healthcare and more. This is based in Hemel Hempstead.

Job Overview:
Specialist Behaviour Support Workers are responsible for supporting people with learning disabilities and behavioural needs to live full lives, develop skills and maintain their wellbeing.

We are looking for a team of skilled, creative and experienced support workers to support one customer in her own home in Hemel Hempstead. The customer is currently living in a hospital setting and we are looking to build a new team to support her make a successful move to her new home. This team must have an excellent value base to support the customer to build their new life and develop their skills and passions as an independent person.

Key Responsibilities:
- Supporting the customer to lead a full and active life and do things they enjoy, sensitively and persistently trying to new things to open up new opportunities for the customer
- Developing the customer's independent living skills and involving them in aspects of maintaining and developing their home, including cooking, shopping, cleaning and decorating
- Supporting the customer in their sensory routine, trialling and testing new sensory experiences
- Supporting the customer to communicate their wants and needs and develop new ways of doing this, communicating with them in a person-centred way
- Supporting the customer to manage their anxieties, using Positive Behaviour Support and Autism-specific approaches
- Collating a range of behavioural data and essential paperwork to be analysed within our local management structure
- Driving the customer's (manual) vehicle to support them to go about their daily life
- Communicating with a range of other key stakeholders including social work, psychology and commissioning teams
- Acting in accordance with the policies and procedures of Look Ahead Care & Support plus those specific to the service including any statutory requirements
- Consistently reviewing the customer's life goals and their progress towards achieving them, in partnership with them and those important to them
- Supporting the customer with personal care
- Reporting any observations relating to customer welfare
- Maintaining records as required at the project
- Participating in team meetings/reviews, support planning, risk management and the general development of the service
- Undertaking any other duties as requested by management

This is not an exhaustive list of all the duties and responsibilities that may be required and is subject to change in accordance with the needs of the customers and Look Ahead. As we have other support services locally, we may also require you to undertake support duties at other locations, subject to agreement at interview stage.

Person Specification:
- Enjoys social interaction and the company of others, joins in with the hobbies and interests of the customer and is able to facilitate connections with new people and places
- Has a reasonable level of physical fitness and is able / likes to participate in active pursuits such as running and swimming
- Is confident enough to try new things and take positive risks on a regular basis
- Exudes a warm friendly and fun presence
- Prefers working as part of a group or team
- Is fundamentally calm and resilient, does not let emotion adversely affect them or obscure their judgement
- Has a practical and logical mind and is naturally well organised
- Thrives on change and enjoys dynamic diverse environments
- Is persistent and determined in adverse circumstances
- Is respectful, articulate and sensitive in style of communication
- Is motivated towards excellence and improvement of personal performance with a can do attitude
- Ability to cope positively with challenging and diverse behaviour

Skills, Knowledge and Experience:
Essential:
- NVQ Level 2 or equivalent
- Minimum 2 years of experience working with customers with Autism/Challenging Behaviour/learning disabilities
- Driving licence and a willingness to drive as part of support duties

Desirable:
- Experience of engaging vulnerable people with complex needs in meaningful activities

For the full job description, please visit the Look Ahead website.

Systems Manager

We have a great opportunity for a driven and talented Systems Manager to join our client’s Portfolio Office Team

Position: P3M Systems Manager

Location: Flexible remote working

Salary: £32,400.00 - £35,944.00 Per Annum

Hours: Full time, permanent

Benefits: Flexible working, 26 Days Annual Leave, Free access to our reserves, up to 20% discount off retail items in our shops. Free access to a confidential Employee Assistance programme that provides support and advice around financial, physical and mental health wellbeing. A substantial Learning and Development offer.

Closing date: 18 April 2021

About the role:

As Systems Manager you will act as the key point of contact for the P3M system in the Portfolio Office and be responsible for systems configuration, development, testing, training, support, and reporting.

You will ensure the integrity of the system, including data, to provide insight and assurance of projects and programmes. You will also play a key role in the change management activities required to embed the system in the organisation.

About you:

To be successful in the role of Systems manager you will have experience in managing Project, Programme and Portfolio Management (P3M) Systems or similar, and a track record of developing insight and reporting for senior stakeholders. You will also bring with you the following skills and experience:

• Strong interpersonal and communications skills and the ability to manage relationships with projects, programmes, portfolios and leadership teams across the organisation.
• Excellent attention to detail, organisation skills and time management, alongside a logical and methodical way of working.
• Thorough knowledge and understanding of work practices policies and procedures, relevant to supporting systems (particularly P3M systems)
• Ability to manage and control project expenditure in accordance with organisation policy and procedures, where appropriate.
• Ability to demonstrate the leadership competencies required to undertake the duties associated with this level of post

Please note that we are actively recruiting for this position and reserve the right to close this vacancy once sufficient applications have been received.

Other roles you may have experience of could include: P3M, Senior Systems Manager, IT Systems Manager, Business Systems Manager, Project Portfolio Management, programme, portfolio and project management etc.

This is an exciting opportunity to join DENS in a new role. We are recruiting for a Social Enterprise Manager to lead the development of DENS Social Enterprise Programme.

DENS is committed to the development of the Social Enterprise programme; providing participants with a supportive environment to develop work-skills and confidence, leading  to  employment,  whilst long term developing  an additional income stream for DENS, that we can re-invest  into our services.

The Social Enterprise Programme was established two years ago, and currently consists of the following:

• Bike project: ‘doing up’ and selling second- hand bikes in our bike workshop, based in Hemel Hempstead. This is the most established element our social enterprise programme. The bike workshop is open 4 days a week.
• Coffee Cart:  a mobile coffee cart, providing fabulous Barista style coffee made by our participants. The Coffee Cart was hired for several events pre-COVID. 
• Catering Project:   the least developed element of the programme, but with plans in place.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone with strong business acumen, experience in business development and committed to supporting those facing homelessness,  social exclusion and poverty to rebuild their lives.

We are looking for someone who is dynamic, but with eye for detail and can balance the challenges of developing enterprise with the needs of the charity, and most importantly our participants. 

You do not need to have any previous experience with catering or bikes,  more important is your ability to lead the  Social Enterprise Programme and commitment  to providing opportunities for our participants.

How to apply

Please read the full Job Description & Personal Specification

If you match our criteria:

• Fill in the DENS Application Form  including your Supporting Statement
• Closing date for receipt of applications is 19th April 2021
• Please note,  the successful applicant will be required to complete a DBS check

We will not accept a general CV for this role

For an informal chat, please ring Wade Dingle, Head of  Community  Services 0 7 538 9 85 64 2

Creative Support is a high-quality provider of support to individuals with a wide range of care needs including learning disabilities, mental health and other needs. Employing over 5,000 staff members, we are continuing to grow at a fast pace nationally and are looking for dedicated, caring individuals to join our staff team in your local area.

We are looking for warm, flexible and motivated individuals to provide person centred care and support at Lavender Court, Ampthill. This is part of our Bedfordshire Extra Care Service, which enables older people to enjoy an active and independent lifestyle.

You will be required to work waking night shifts, which will include weekends and bank holidays and work with the utmost positive regard for the individuals we support.

Support Worker Duties:

• Providing respectful personal care, practical and emotional support,

• Maximising social opportunities and community engagement,

• Maximising outcomes for clients by maintaining their independence and encouraging them to lead an active, fulfilling lifestyle

• Develop and sustain warm and trusting relationships with service users,

• Collaborating with colleagues, families and involved professionals to ensure a coordinated and consistent service.

Experience is not essential for this role; however, you must have a warm, caring and respectful personality to succeed in this role. We welcome applications from experienced practitioners, graduates and individuals looking to pursue a career in social care.

This unique and challenging opportunity will provide you with an environment that encourages personal and professional development. We will provide you with on-going training to best meet the needs of the service users.

Benefits of working with Creative Support:

• Free 24/7 counselling and employee support programme,

• Support to complete the nationally recognised Care Certificate,

• Competitive pay and a pension with company contribution and 28 days annual leave,

• Company paid enhanced DBS and company provided uniform for Extra Care staff,

• All our staff are supported 24/7 by our out of hour’s teams.

Exempt from Section 7 2(e) of the SDA