BBS Support Worker

BBS Clinics Ltd

Job Description

BBS Support Worker

Salary: £9152per annum, (full time equivalent £21,164)

Responsible for: Liaising with those with Bardet-Biedl Syndrome and their families, helping to identify any problems and finding appropriate help. Supporting those affected with diet and exercise requirements and encouraging attendance at the BBS Specialist Clinics. Supporting newly diagnosed individuals and advising of the help they may be able to access. Actively encourage participation in activity weekends, and attendance at the annual family conference.

Responsible to:

JulieSales

Tonia Hymers

BBS UK Board of Trustees

The successful applicant will be required to provide a written report & diary of hours worked and activities undertaken on a monthly basis.

Location

The post holder will work from home. There will also be attendance at London/Birmingham Hospitals’ and travel to family's locations throughout the UK, on the charity's instructions.

Contract

The post is initially a 6 month contract, which may be extended.

Start date to be confirmed

Terms and Conditions of Service

The hours of work are 16 hours per week. Specific days and hours of work to be decided to the mutual benefit of BBS UK and the successful applicant, however flexibility is a key requirement of the role. The successful applicant will be expected to spend approximately a third to a half of their working hours in outreach, either in attendance at the specialist clinics or visiting families (travel time included and travel expenses paid).

All members of staff are expected to participate in appropriate team meetings. Members of staff are also expected to attendBBS Clinics at Great Ormond Street Hospital, Guys hospital, London, Birmingham Children’s Hospital and QEH hospital Birmingham, where requested. Staff are also expected to attend training events relevant to their specific responsibility, and the BBS Annual Family conference.

Holiday entitlement for the six month period will be 45 hours, plus 12 hours bank holiday allowance.

Full time equivalent - 5.6 weeks, plus 8 days bank holidays, pro rata 16 hours per week.

Changes to Job Description

If for any reason it is necessary to make changes to the job description this will be discussed between the post holder and the Board of Directors

Specific Areas of Responsibility

1. To provide support to those with BBSand their families living UK wide to achieve the best quality of life.

1. To achieve a working knowledge of Bardet-Biedl Syndrome.

1. To support those with Bardet-Biedl Syndrome to increase their confidence and independence

1. To help support those affected develop the best exercise/diet regimes

1. To support newly diagnosed individualsand their family/carers

1. To plan and attend activities/residential trips for those with BBS.

1. To attend relevant meetings/conferences/training courses/exhibitions as directed

1. Ensure all receive the benefits and social care to which they are entitled

1. Continued support after clinic, either via phone or outreach visits

1. To plan and support the development of focused groups, activities and consultation exercises for those with BBS

1. Seek additional funding and submit grant applications for activities

1. Researching relevant information and activities to benefit those with BBS

1. Continued support for education from primary through to University

General Areas of Responsibility

The post-holder will be expected to further the aims and objectives of the Bardet-Biedl Syndrome UK and to co-operate fully with policy and procedures set out by the Trustees.

The post-holder will be expected to act in accordance with BBS UK Equal Opportunities Policy.

The post-holder will be expected to assist with any reasonable duty at the request of the Trustees.

The post-holder will complete an enhanced check through the Disclosure and Barring Service.

BBS Clinics Ltd

Person Specification

The person appointed will be expected to have the essential experience, skills and attributes listed below. The items under the heading ‘desirable’ will be useful for BBSUK and the post-holder. However, candidates who do not have these "desirable" points should not be deterred from submitting an application.

Essential Experience

1. The person appointed will have had at least three years experience working with adults, children and families, in a team, preferably with experience of Bardet-Biedl Syndrome or in a relevant voluntary, statutory, professional or academic setting.
2. A strong desire to improve the lives of those persons living with Bardet-Biedl Syndrome is essential.
3. Good knowledge of relevant voluntary organizations’ (for example those which promote mutual support between groups) and relevant statutory agencies (for example, social service departments, education, housing departments and health authorities.)
4. Previous experience with organizing events, conference, weekend activities, day activities

Skills and Knowledge

1. Excellent communication skills, oral and written, with a good knowledge of Microsoft office programmes.
2. English GCSE or O Level, Grade C or above, or equivalent qualification, either work based or college/university relevant to the post.
3. An ability to relate in an advisory and enabling capacity to a wide range of people, including patients, support group leaders and professional workers, in a variety of settings.
4. Ability to prioritize when faced with competing work demands.
5. Ability to work on own initiative
6. The ability to encourage and empathize with newly diagnosed adults, childrenand their families and offer hope.
7. The ability to research activities, organizations for the benefit of families and adults with BBS

Attributes

1. Willingness to undertake some work during unsociable hours. Additional hours may be required on occasion which will be compensated by time off in lieu.
2. Ability to travel throughout the designated area. The person appointed will be carowner/driver or have full access to a car for work purposes. Public transport costs, including by rail will be paid where appropriate.
3. Ability to relate well to support groups representatives, colleagues, professional workers and to the public.

Desirable

1. Knowledge of the complexities of Bardet-Biedl Syndrome and the problems faced by those having Iow or no vision and additional medical problems.
2. General knowledge of the generic issues affecting support groups
3. Experience of liaising with ethnic minority individuals and groups