Job Title:Advocacy, Information and Support Officer(2 year contract)

Location:London – Muscular Dystrophy UK office, Southwark/NHS Foundation Trust, Great Ormond Street

Department:Campaigns, Care and Information

Responsible to:MDUK –Sunitha Narayan Head of Clinical Development

Supported and Sponsored by -Great Ormond Street Hospital,NHS Foundation Trust

Responsible for:No direct reports

Main purpose of job:

The role will be based between Muscular Dystrophy UK Head Office in Southwark and Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH). Working with colleagues at GOSH - including social and health professionals - the post holder will ensure that children with muscle-wasting conditions, and their families, get the care and support they are entitled to.

Main areas of responsibility:

1. Meet families in outpatient clinics to offer support and signposting

  • Introduce yourself to all families and young people attending clinics getting to know them so you can offer support and advice as well as sharing opportunities e.g. Work Experience Programmes for 16+
  • Discuss issues at clinic, or arrange alternative time to speak.
  • Take initiative when parents need to speak to health professionals without children present such as on or around the time of diagnosis – taking time out with them to play to allow for this.

2. Take on advocacy casework – working with GOSH Family Support Officer/Social Worker

  • Support families in accessing financial and practical support for example Personal Independence Payments, Blue Badges, and adaptations to property, re-housing and education support.
  • Provide guidance on filling out forms and write supporting letters.
  • Represent family/child at tribunals or care review meetings (to be decided on a case by case basis).
  • Work closely with Family Support Officer and Social Worker to share workload.
  • Make home visits if there is a need (to be decided on a case by case basis).

3. Arrange and deliver fun and resilience building events outside of the clinic

  • Research areas of need from both children and families in the first two months.
  • Based on this feedback, plan series of events (inviting professionals to support as needed) to take place in school holidays or weekends.

4. Operate thorough record keeping on case work and any work with families

  • Add notes or actions on relevant NHS records
  • Operate strict data protection and patient confidentiality whilst at the Trust and at MDUK office – keeping consent forms on file.
  • Attend neuromuscular MDT meetings to feed into cases and provide relevant information as required.

Other:

  • To behave in accordance with the Charity’s values at all times;
  • To behave in accordance with the hospital trusts where honorary contracts are held;
  • To prepareprogress reports for line manager and other supervisors as agreed;
  • To attend monthly supervision sessions, multi-disciplinary team meetings as required;
  • To undertake any other such tasks as requested by the line manager.

Education

A professional qualification in ideally an education profession such as SEN Teaching or Supervision. Will also consider Social Work and Occupational Therapy background. /

Essential

Good standard of Education to degree level /

Essential

Experience

Experience of casework, advocacy and promoting the rights of individuals /

Essential

Good understanding of policy issues relating to disability and NHS commissioning /

Desirable

Good understanding of current changes to welfare /

Essential

Experience of training and/or group facilitation and public speaking /

Desirable

Some experience of working in partnership with organisations e.g. charities or health services /

Essential

Understanding of the impact of neuromuscular conditions /

Essential

Knowledge of Data Protection and also relevant aspects of Health & Safety legislation /

Essential

Skills and Personal Qualities

Understanding of the issues and the needs of people with disabilities
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Essential

Strong telephone negotiation skills /

Essential

Able to represent the Charity or Trust in a professional manner at all times
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Essential

IT literate (MS Office preferable) including an understanding of relationship databases and their use in record management
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Essential

Good analytical skills and numerate /

Essential

Able to work as effective member of a team /

Essential

Able to carry out administration tasks as required /

Essential

Professional conduct at all times with a positive and flexible attitude
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Essential

Organisational skills - The ability to manage own time and tasks effectively.
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Essential

Team work - The ability to accept responsibility for own area of work, identifying critical elements and working in a pro-active/solution focused way to achieve.
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Essential

Communication - The ability to represent the Muscular Dystrophy UK effectively and professionally. Produces clear and effective communications appropriate to the audience, utilising the most appropriate channel and in keeping with brand guidelines.
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Essential

Self Development - The ability to constantly challenge and improve self and others demonstrating ambition for self and charity to achieve goals.
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Essential

Details

Hours – 4/5 daysper week.
Holidays – 25 days(pro rata)

Evening and weekend activities involved – time off in lieu to be taken

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