Down’s Syndrome Scotland

Job Description

Post Title: / ABC Group Co-Worker Edinburgh / ABC Co-Worker Orkney
Hours: / 7.5 hours on a Friday / 6 hours on a Saturday
Salary: / £9.14 per hour / £9.14 per hour
Reports to: / SLT and Family Support Service Manager / SLT and Family Support Service Manager

Main Purpose of Post:

To improve the communication skills of children with Down’s syndrome (DS) through use of specific exercises and by supporting parents and/or classroom assistants to continue the techniques in their contact with the children.

Main Duties of Post:

  1. To provide programmes of communication support exercises to children with DS in small groups in accordance with DS Scotland’s Speech and Language Therapist’s assessment.

  1. To participate in and assist with assessments as required by DS Scotland Speech and Language Therapist (SLT).

  1. To document children’s progress in accordance with DS Scotland procedure.

  1. To provide support to parents and others e.g. classroom assistants in how to apply the exercises and techniques in other situations such as home and school.

Groups

Administration

  1. To complete all required administration tasks in relation to sessions and in accordance with DS Scotland procedures.

  1. To liaise with the ABC Group service administrator in relation to administrative records and mailings to other key people/services in contact with the children e.g. school, NHS speech and language therapy service.

  1. To review and risk assess potential new venues for ABC Groups in accordance with DS Scotland’s procedure and to report back to national office.

Training and Supervision

  1. To participate in regular supervision sessions by DS Scotland’s SLT.

  1. To participate in Scotland wide training event(s) with other Co-Workers.

General

  1. To undertake other reasonable duties as from time to time determined, in order to ensure efficient operation of the service.

  1. To adhere to the organisation’s policies and procedures and to carry out duties in accordance with current legislation such as Health and Safety, Data Protection etc.

Routine Communications:

Internal:Staff within Down’s Syndrome Scotland, DS Scotland’s contract Speech and Language Therapist.

External:Parents/other relatives, education staff, NHS speech and language therapists, venue managers.

Demands of the Post:

This is a developing service which will require flexibility on the part of the Co-Workers. In addition, there will be occasional requirement to attend events at weekends, such as conferences of parents and meetings of the Board of Trustees.

June 2015

ABC Group Co-Worker - Person Specification

Requirements / Essential / Desirable
Experience / Previous experience of Down’s syndrome and experience of relating to children effectively
Experience of using e-mail and have access to an internet enabled computer / Experience of general office activities
Experience of working with children in small groups
Knowledge, skills and understanding / Must be able to communicate effectively
A positive attitude to children with Down’s syndrome and the ability to relate to them effectively / Knowledge of Microsoft Office applications
Able to demonstrate creativity and initiative
Experience of the voluntary or charitable sector
Qualifications and training / Good general education and be literate and numerate
Hold a full current driving licence and have access to a car in order to transport equipment / A First Aid Certificate
Job specific requirements / Able to carry through tasks with groups of children as directed by SLT’s
An ability to work autonomously, but within parameters determined by others
Able to form effective relationships with children, parents and others
Ability to deal effectively with problems arising with children, parents or others
Ability to be flexible in approach to tasks and challenges

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