LEARNING & LEISURE Co-ordinator – Mates & Dates
Job Description and Person Specification
What You Can Expect From Us
Watford Mencap is one of the largest Mencap societies in the UK with a long- established history of providing high quality social care services to people with learning disabilities and their families in South West Herts.
This is an exciting time to be joining the organisation and you will play an important role in helping us develop new ways of working to meet people’s personal needs and wishes. This position is both varied and rewarding, and offers you the opportunity to be part of a new model of social care.
We have accreditation to Investors in People and provide employees with access to a full range of professional and personal development opportunities. As well as ongoing coaching and mentoring.
The post will be based in Rickmansworth and will involve regular travel across Watford, Three Rivers and Hertsmere.
We hope you will consider joining us at this exciting and challenging time. For more information please call Lata on 07901 914154
Job summary
Learning & Leisure Department This department is responsible for Learning and Leisure activities within the organisation, facilitating and supporting a range of opportunities for all, encouraging people to move towards independence.
This may be through social, leisure or educational activities as well as offering a comprehensive advice service. The Department is also responsible for ensuring the participation of people with learning disabilities at all levels of the organisation.
LL Co-ordinator Mates & Dates 01.14 1 Mates & Dates Service The new and exciting service will provide supported opportunities for people with learning disabilities to develop relationships and friendships in a safe environment with a view to developing their emotional support networks which can sustain them as they develop skills for independent living.
This rewarding and varied role involves working with the Senior Co-ordinator to establish the service in Watford, Three Rivers and Hertsmere as well as planning and delivering a variety of learning and social opportunities. You will be responsible for leading sessions as well as working with support staff, volunteers and the wider community. There is clear emphasis on a person centred approach to promote clients independence, decision making and choice.
You will need to be able to work a combination of hours including days, evenings and weekends across a variety of venues.
Duties and Responsibilities:
1. Be responsible for planning, organisation and service delivery, developing the service in accordance with the service plan.
2. To facilitate a range of social opportunities where people with learning disabilities will have the opportunity to meet and interact with others and to develop and maintain friendships and relationships.
3. To facilitate a range of learning opportunities to promote and encourage independence while enabling people with learning disabilities to gain in confidence in a fun and supportive environment.
4. To recruit, train and support volunteers and sessional staff, involving them, the team members and people with learning disabilities in the organisation and running of the service.
5. To work with people, their families, team members, volunteers and partner organisations to ensure that support is tailored to meet individual needs and wishes.
6. To take referrals of families/carers and individuals with learning disability, assess their needs and provide appropriate services and support where possible.
7. To be familiar with and work within the organisation’s values, policies and procedures, keeping accurate records and reports. Developing and implementing a range of project policies and procedures.
LL Co-ordinator Mates & Dates 01.14 2 8. To make full use of the organisations IT systems ensuring confidentiality is maintained at all times.
9. To attend and participate in team meetings, supervisions, appraisals and training as required by your Manager, as well as taking responsibility for your own development within current organisational guidelines.
10. To create and co-ordinate a project review group to include the Senior Co- ordinator, people with learning disabilities, CLDT, carers and relevant professionals.
11. To work in partnership with Guidepost Trust to develop a new Herts Mates and Dates Website and marketing material to promote the project.
12. To work with colleagues to secure future funding for the project.
13. To research the possibility of developing a housemates model, linking to local housing forums and providers.
14. To follow best practice guidance in terms of Safeguarding, Health and Safety and managing risks legislation to promote independence.
15. To work flexibly and creatively to meet the needs of people with learning disabilities, their families and the volunteers.
16. To support anti-discrimination policies and procedures and promote equality of opportunity at all times.
17. To undertake such additional duties appropriate to the post and to support the organisation’s wider goals by working flexibly across the organisation from time to time as determined by your manager.
18. To report any significant issues, notifiable events or concerns through line management channels.
This job description may be reviewed annually to meet changing service requirements.
Person Specification: Category Essential Desirable Values Commitment to the provision of high quality person-centred support to people with learning disabilities
LL Co-ordinator Mates & Dates 01.14 3 Understanding of the importance of choice, control, rights and empowerment Previous Current or previous experience of working Enabling people to experience with people with learning disabilities. access new opportunities Carrying out Risk Assessments Planning/creating Working within a team and working alone activities for young people with Supporting or working with volunteers learning disabilities
Knowledge Knowledge of the needs and rights of Knowledge of people with a learning disability and an different understanding of the issues which people communication may face. methods
Knowledge of the Mental Capacity Act Knowledge of local community Knowledge of Health and safety and Risk management policy and procedure
Skills Communicate effectively and sensitively Able and interested with different people, including good in using IT to standard of written English. To be able to support alternative report and record accurately. communication methods Support people in a creative way that respects choice, dignity, respect and Previous use of a privacy contact management Form and maintain effective working system. relationships with individuals being supported, their families colleagues and partner organisations
Complete and maintain accurate written and financial records and follow policies and procedures
Able to work using own initiative, plan and prioritise workload, and contribute own ideas to support service delivery Equal Awareness of and commitment to Opportunitie promoting equal opportunities for all
LL Co-ordinator Mates & Dates 01.14 4 s and diversity Training and Willingness to undertake training as developmen required and to learn and develop new t skills
General Able to work flexibly to meet the needs of Car available for individuals, the service and organisation. work use and Working evenings and weekends insured for business use Confident to work alone when required
Have a positive outlook
LL Co-ordinator Mates & Dates 01.14 5