Information and Outreach Officer

Responsible to:Community Services Manager.

Location:Rookwood Hospital, Llandaff, Cardiff. Significant travel across South East Wales will be required.

Hours:22.5 hours per week, may include some evening and weekend work. Flexible working will be considered.

Annual Leave:22 days per annum plus Public Holidays, rising to 25 full time equivalent after 3 years’ service.

Pay Scale:£21,000 - £24,000 per annum (pro-rata) (depending on experience).

Benefits:Childcare voucher scheme, contributory pension and flexible working.

Term:Fixed term until 31st March 2019 (with the potential to extend subject to funding).

Date of Interview:Thursday 14th December 2017.

Headway Cardiff and South East Wales is a registered charity providing support and services to people affected by acquired brain injury.

The post holder will provide information and support to survivors and their families, working in conjunction with our existing Information and Outreach Officers.

Regular supervision will be provided in addition to training.

This post is subject to an Enhanced (Unregulated) DBS check.

Main duties and responsibilities

Outreach

  • Meet face to face with people with acquired brain injury (ABI) and family to identify their practical, emotional and wellbeing needs and support them to establish goals.
  • Provide emotional support to people with ABI and their family.
  • Provide people with ABI and their family with information about Acquired Brain Injury if required.
  • Support people with ABI and their family with welfare benefit applications.
  • Signpost people with ABI and their family to appropriate services, internally and externally.
  • Make referrals to appropriate health services, social services, third sector organisations or other relevant professionals.
  • Keep detailed, up to date and accurate client records within the CRM system.
  • Conduct individual and activity risk assessments.
  • Develop relationships with and promote services to a range of statutory and non-statutory bodies.
  • Support people with ABI to access local services which will be of benefit.
  • Support and advocate for service users in respect of other administrative, financial, health and social care issues.
  • Research and submit applications to Trusts and Grant making bodies for individual service users.
  • Contribute and update a directory of resources to support the work of the Outreach and Information Officer.
  • Develop good working relationships with the partner organisations and teams.
  • Monitor and evaluate the service, keeping good/accurate management information to support this.
  • Develop and facilitate social and activity opportunities.
  • Work collaboratively with the local Health Board neuro services.

Generic

Professional development
  • Maintain and develop personal expertise and knowledge by reading, networking and further training in order to develop professional competence and to contribute to the development of competence within the team.
  • Keep abreast of developments in the field and to increase skills and knowledge by participation in courses, in-service training etc.
  • Keep abreast of relevant research underpinning your area of service in order to inform and maintain evidence based practice.
Organisational Requirements
  • Support the implementation of Headway policies and any shared protocols to ensure that a safe environment exists for the staff and users of the service.
  • Represent the service and participate in any meetings as requested.
  • Represent the service in the wider community.
  • Support the induction and orientation of new staff.
  • Support the implementation of the Fundraising and Communication Strategies.
  • Support social and fundraising activities.
  • Support the service in raising awareness of acquired brain injury.
  • Other occasional duties assisting Senior Management.
  • Act at all times in accordance with the policies and code of conduct of the organisation.

Confidentiality

  • Ensure confidentiality at all times.

Comply with the requirements of the Data Protection Act.

Person Specification

Essential / Desirable
Qualifications and training / GCSE English Literature or Language and Maths grade C or above (or equivalent).
A levels or equivalent qualifications or experience. / Graduate calibre.
NVQ Level 3 or 4 in Information, Advice and Guidance.
Counselling qualification.
Skills and abilities / Able to work effectively in an established team but also work autonomously on own initiative with drive and enthusiasm.
Proven organisational and time management skills and able to prioritise.
Proven decision making skills.
Proven written and communication skills.
Proven interpersonal skills and able to adapt to different audiences and individuals.
Able to work effectively with people regardless of their ethnic, cultural, social backgrounds, their gender, age, religious belief, disability and sexual orientation.
Able to research and identify organisations and services that can meet the needs of service users.
Able to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions in delivering clearly identified outcomes.
Proven IT skills in Microsoft Word, Email, Excel, Powerpoint and Internet Explorer.
Committed to learning and professional development.
Committed to delivering service excellence
The capacity and self-confidence to innovate.
Experience/ Knowledge / Experience within social care, health or the third sector.
Knowledge of the Welfare Benefits system.
Experience of providing information, sign-posting and practical support to people with specific needs.
Experience of supporting people to identify goals and the ability to measure hard and soft outcomes.
Knowledge of relevant local support to include health, local authority and third sector services.
Experience of providing emotional support.
Awareness of issues relating to disability.
Experience of working with people with disabilities or with other specific needs such as neurological conditions, mental health issues or learning disabilities.
Experience of developing and delivering services.
Experience of keeping client records.
Knowledge of safeguarding practices.
Knowledge of responsibilities associated with data protection and client confidentiality.
Experience of building effective relationships with partner services and stakeholders. / Experience of providing Welfare Benefit support, specifically with ESA and PIP applications.
Advocacy experience.
Experience of making grant/trust applications on behalf of individuals.
Experience of working with families.
Specific knowledge of brain injury.
Experience of working with vulnerable individuals.
Experience of managing volunteers.
Experience of group facilitation.
Experience of recording in a CRM system.
Experience of conducting individual and activity risk assessments.
Personal Qualities / Flexible and adaptable.
Attentive and empathetic.
Respectful and empowering.
Sincere, trustworthy and just.
Clear and professional.
Competent, reliable and safe.
Accountable.
Open, self-aware and enquiring.
Co-operative.
Resourceful, resilient and self-caring.
Challenging and courageous.

N.B. A Full, current driving licence and use of a car which is insured for business use is essential for this role. (Mileage rate 45p per mile).

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