JOB DESCRIPTION

Post: Independent Living Development Officer

Responsible to: Deputy CEO

Salary: £20,000.00

Based: CCIL’s Barnton Office

Hours: 37 Hours per week

Job Summary

With the right fundamental support personal health budgets (PHBs) can assist people to live independently. In partnership with the national Multiple Sclerosis Society CCIL would like to examine to what extent Cheshire’s Local Authorities and Health (PCT’s) practitioners have or are changing their cultures and practices to facilitate new modes of service delivery and how the new personalisation agenda is being embraced for individuals with Multiple Sclerosis.

The activities of this post will specifically, though not exclusively, contribute to the PHB pilots within Western Cheshire Primary Care Trust and Central & Eastern Cheshire Primary Care Trust, with whom CCIL is an active partner. It will also explore the methods of providing PHBs i.e. provision of Notional Budget, Third Party Budget or a Real Budget,

General role & responsibilities:

·  Gather information highlighting the level of need for PHB's within customer groups experiencing Multiple Sclerosis.

·  Gain intelligence regarding the history and background of various methods of payment and management, legal requirements and compliances around PHBs including the ethical and moral issues surrounding them.

·  Identify and engage relevant local, regional and/or national groups with experiences relevant to this research project recording experiences and learning, replicating good practice for Cheshire where possible.

·  Formalise an operational management model for PHBs incorporating perspectives from all involved.

·  Compile a feasibility study capturing the above information that will explore setting up and managing PHBs and providing appropriate information, advice and client account services for individuals with MS throughout Cheshire.

·  Maintain and further develop links with statutory agencies and key partners in addition to a potential client base.

·  Submit a monthly report to the CEO, the Steering Group and our partner organisations highlighting status of all of the above including all future plans.

Specific areas of activity

Supporting people

·  With regard to all relevant permissions and desires of client, establish supportive relationship with people with MS who are identified for the PHB pilot

·  Provide central point of contact for people using PHBs and act as conduit with PCTs.

·  Provide advice and support to individuals facing continuing health care assessment who may wish to exercise choice in how their health needs are met

·  Signpost individuals to other sources of help and assistance

·  Provide training /information/education sessions as required

NB - For the purpose of PHB pilots role may require working with and supporting others who have a LTNC.

Supporting the pilot

·  Act as main point of contact for members of the PHB Pilot Steering Group

·  Assist in consultation and liaison with third sector partners (particularly those representing neurological conditions)

·  Advise on the specific needs of people with MS

·  Represent the Steering Group as agreed and required

·  Research and relay information regarding the national picture and the activities of main influencers such as In Control

·  Provide training /information/education sessions as required

Supporting third sector/other involvement

·  Establish an Advisory Group to support the Steering Group

·  Facilitate information flow between AG and SG

·  Provide training /information/education sessions as required

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Desirable skills

  • A positive outlook
  • Good written and oral communication skills with the ability to listen to others.
  • Highly self motivated
  • Sound administration skills, including keyboard and word processing.
  • Strong interpersonal skills including an ability to enthuse others.
  • Enjoys meeting people
  • An ability to work well with disabled people.
  • Awareness of ‘Direct Payments’ and ‘Putting People First’
  • Good presentation skills

Essential

  • A commitment to the social model of disability.
  • Managing a complex and changing work load.
  • Evidence of meeting targets and goals to achieve outcomes.
  • Proven planning, time management and organisational skills.
  • Understanding of safeguarding vulnerable children and adults
  • Understanding of working with disabled people

Qualifications

Qualifications not essential as full training can/will be provided

Essential

Car user and ability to drive with or without assistance

As the role requires the post holder to work with disabled people all successful applicants must be prepared to undergo enhanced CRB checks

Management and support

The post is supervised and managed by CCIL.

The post holder will report to CCIL’s Deputy CEO.

June 2010