Key Tasks Main Areas of Work

Job Description

Title of Post: Part time Learning Co-ordinator – Highland (17.5 hours per week)

This is a fixed term appointment until 31st March 2018. Depending on funding, there may be an opportunity for continuation of the post and/or increased working hours. The post is funded by High Life Highland and SDS/ESF.

Basic Function: Provide an impartial guidance service for disabled people and carers in Highland.

Support learners to identify relevant learner journeys and facilitate relevant opportunities.

Deliver relevant non formal and formal learning as required to meet learner need and work with partners to fulfil funder milestones.

Tailor learning and deliver a bespoke programme of support which is accessible and meets learner need.

Recruit, induct and support volunteers who in turn support learners.

Location: Home-based in Inverness or surrounding area

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

To whom accountable: Regional Development Manager North

Who is accountable to postholder: N/A

OTHER WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

Within the organisation  North Team colleagues  Engagement and Development Officer  Coordinators, and staff across Scotland

1 Outwith the organisation  Learners  The learner’s family, carers and support agencies  Learning providers  Partners  Referral agencies  Local voluntary agencies  Funders  Volunteers

Key Tasks – Main Areas of Work

1. PROVIDING EDUCATIONAL GUIDANCE TO DISABLED YOUNG PEOPLE, ADULTS AND CARERS Dealing with Initial Enquiries from potential learners; visiting eligible referrals; home visits; registering learners, offering educational guidance and drawing up Learner Action Plans; supporting learners with learning toward positive destination of their choice and to exit project; signposting to appropriate services; reviewing progress; networking to generate appropriate referrals.

2. ARRANGING APPROPRIATE LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES This will be accessed via: college attendance; Open Learning courses provided by colleges; local learning opportunities (e.g. libraries, training providers); community learning classes, etc. Support with informal and formal learning is appropriate. Creative solutions and advocacy to overcome barriers are key factors. Where appropriate, a digital device may be loaned to the learner for home use (Learning Coordinator will have an allocation of devices to loan). Confidence building of learners, devising specific learning for specific learner outcomes, delivering 1-1 support and or group work, benchmarking of informal/non-formal learning against SCQF, performance monitoring and assistive technology consultations. To work in partnership with other organisations to deliver joint group learning activities with specific aims for particular groups, e.g. digital skills group setup in partnership with a housing association to address the isolation of elderly people within a sheltered housing complex.

3. DELIVERING FORMAL LEARNING Deliver and assess Lead Scotland’s SCQF level 3 (16 credits) Community Action and Leadership Award (CALA) course to small group of disabled people and carers. The CALA learning programme was developed to enable disabled people and carers to be able to influence change and make a difference in their communities as active citizens. The learning programme is made up of four units:

 Self Awareness and Identity.  Active Citizenship  Promoting Inclusion  Influencing Change.

2 Lead Scotland has a partnership with the SQA centre ARC Scotland, who accredit this Award.

4. RECORD KEEPING AND MONITORING This post is funded through ESF and as with any project requires good record keeping. Compliance with Lead’s Organisational Handbook is required. Record keeping requires maintaining initial enquiry forms, learner registration forms and action plans; keeping notes of hours of Learning Coordinator, volunteer tutor and learner input; monitoring learner progress and recording outcomes and completion of activity records and reviews, regular progress reports for Lead Regional Development Manager (North) and quarterly reports to Board of Directors. Completion of quarterly monitoring reports to Dundee Partnership funder and end of year project reports and learner and volunteer impact case studies. To provide local intelligence to help contribute toward the development of the service base.

5. LEAD VOLUNTEER SUPPORT Compliance with the practices and standards within the quality standard, Investing in Volunteers required. Enhanced PVG required for most volunteer roles at Lead Scotland. Conducting Volunteer Forums / performance monitoring. Recruitment, selection, induction and support of volunteers using materials prepared by Lead. The Learning Coordinator provides support meeting for volunteers. (Volunteer Management training must be undertaken if no qualification is held). Training in group work skills will be offered, up skilling of volunteers, rewarding and recognising volunteer achievements. Matching skills of volunteers with needs of learners and the project.

6. LIAISON BOTH WITHIN AND OUTWITH LOCAL AREA Working as a team within the North area, meeting full staff team within Lead Scotland (e.g. at trainings, AGM); joining ad hoc staff working parties by mutual agreement; working closely with local FE Colleges and other education providers, collaboration with Skills Development Scotland, Volunteer Centres, Carers Centres, local authority staff and other appropriate local agencies to identify progression routes for learners. To be aware of, and work within, national & local strategies, legislation and policies relevant to Lead’s work. Attendance at local & national meetings. Operational input to influence strategic change as required from Head Office e.g. responding to consultations etc.

7. TRAVEL THROUGHOUT HIGHLAND AREA This post is homebased and Highland is a very large area so we are focussing activity in agreed localities. Within these areas the individual must be able to travel to meet the needs of the learners, volunteers and partners, including home visits.

8. OTHER DUTIES/AREAS OF WORK Any other reasonable duty as requested by the Regional Development Manager (North) and/or Lead’s Chief Executive Officer. This is regulated work and will require a PVG

3 EXPECTED OUTCOME

The expected outcome is that the target number of learners will be supported to undertake relevant and accessible non formal and formal learning opportunities and will then progress into their chosen positive destinations, sustain their learning and ultimately be empowered to improve their lives, with a positive impact on their families and communities.

Person Specification

Essential

 Excellent communication and interpersonal skills  Excellent organisational skills  Experience of supporting disabled and/or disadvantaged people who are experiencing a range of barriers  Track record of using a learned centred approach  Experience of tailoring and delivering learning opportunities  Holds an Assessors Award or experience of assessing  Flexible and adaptable approach  Ability to use initiative and work under pressure  Can demonstrate having very good digital skills  An equalities approach  Full Driving Licence and access to car

Desirable

 Experience of working in literacy/adult education  Volunteer management experience  Commitment to continuous professional learning

Characteristics

 Enthusiasm  Flexible in approach to delivery and receptive to change  Creative approach to problem-solving  Effective listener  Excellent social skills.