ASSISTANT POLICY AND DEVELOPMENT OFFICER

(Funded until December 2018)

JOB DESCRIPTION

Salary Scale: £26,000 per annum pro rata

Accountable to: Policy and Development Officer

Hours: 15 hours

Based: Liverpool Shared Lives Plus Office

Job Objectives

The Homeshare Partner Programme is a three year £2m partnership developed by the Lloyds Bank Foundation for England and Wales and Big Lottery Fund in partnership with Shared Lives Plus, Age UK, The Foyer Federation and Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) to develop new and suitable Homeshare provision across the UK.

The key objectives of this role will be to develop and support the Shared Lives Plus Homeshare network members and provide accurate information and new resources to support delivery of high quality, safe and effective Homeshare programmes. There will be opportunity to support the Policy and Development Officer to deliver key programme objectives including; the development of a dedicated Homeshare website and a Quality Assurance Framework for Homeshare delivery organisations. There will also be opportunity to gain skill and experience of project develop and policy work.

Main duties and responsibilities

1.  To provide support and develop learning materials, guidance, training for the Homeshare sector and other Shared Lives Plus members.

  1. Provide day to day support and guidance on practice, quality and safety issues to our network members and the Homeshare pilot programmes funded by BIG Lottery and Lloyds Bank Foundation.
  2. Take initial enquires and provide general information to members and non-members wishing to develop, diversify and extend their service.
  3. Help develop resources and disseminate information to support the delivery of high quality, safe and effective Homeshare schemes.
  4. Attend events to build local and national awareness of Homeshare and support for the model.
  5. Take the lead on production of a regular Homeshare newsletter for Network Members.
  6. Provide general administration and support further development of the Homeshare Network.
  7. Help identify needs for learning materials, guidance and training.
  8. Development of a range of practical resources to be included in the Homeshare Good Practice Guide.
  9. Keep up to date with changes to policy that impact on Homeshare and help clarify regulations and requirements for members and update Homeshare materials to reflect changes.

2.  To support work with members and stakeholders to develop a Quality Assurance Framework for the Homeshare sector.

  1. Support the promotion of the Quality Assurance Framework and help market it to the sector.
  2. Support the collection of data for the production of an annual report on quality and growth in the Homeshare sector.
  3. Support the Policy and Development Officer to work with schemes and stakeholders to support the further development and delivery of a Quality Assurance Framework for Homeshare.

3.  To support the delivery and development of a successful national Homeshare partner programme (HSPP)

  1. Provide support for the HSPP by liaising with Homeshare pilot programmes to collect information on progress, good practice and practice issues.
  2. Work with the Homeshare Policy and Development Officer to help resolve any issues which may arise for the HSPP Pilot Schemes.
  3. Keep the Homeshare network updated on activities and findings of the HSPP.
  4. Work with the HSPP evaluators where appropriate to support the development of the evidence base for the outcomes and cost-benefits of Homeshare.

4.  To work with the Homeshare Policy and Development Officer to raise the profile of Homeshare including the development of a dedicated Homeshare web site.

  1. Write articles for trade press and practice networks, building relationships with sector bodies and networks.
  2. Work with the media, with the support of the Communications team, helping Homeshare schemes to engage effectively with media.
  3. Contribute content for the new Homeshare website.
  4. Facilitate and moderate a members’ discussion area for local coordinators and participants.
  5. Work with the Policy and Development Officer and the CEO to help Influence policy makers, regulatory and skills bodies, on behalf of our members.

5.  To contribute to the effective administration of Shared Lives Plus.

  1. Monitor and report on the outcomes of the post.
  2. Engage in continuous self-development and training.
  3. Promote diversity, equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice.
  4. Operate at all times in a way that is consistent with Shared Lives Plus’ legal responsibilities including health and safety legislation and guidance.
  5. Undertake such other duties as may reasonably be required, commensurate with the level of the post.

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Person specification:

Criteria / Essential / Desirable / How identified /
Qualification / ·  Educated to degree level or similar / ·  A relevant qualification (eg older people’s support; young people’s support; project management). / AF
Experience / ·  Active involvement in a membership organisation or network.
·  General project development work.
·  Producing newsletters/disseminating information to an active network.
·  Administration of a national programme.
·  Designing resources and learning materials; drafting guides including materials related to quality assurance.
·  Collating and presenting information.
·  Writing press articles; working with the media. / ·  Development of a Quality Assurance Framework.
·  Development of a web site.
·  Direct experience of the Homeshare sector.
·  Marketing services to young and/ or older people.
·  Working with a diverse range of stakeholders. / AF, I, R
Knowledge and skills.
/ ·  An understanding of Homeshare and the philosophy underpinning the sector.
·  Understanding of quality assurance and safeguarding practice in the care sector.
·  Knowledge and understanding of relevant government policies and regulations.
·  Knowledge of the challenges and opportunities facing the voluntary, social enterprise and private care provider sectors.
·  Able to utilise a wide range of IT programmes and social media.
·  Able to communicate with a wide range of stakeholders effectively / ·  A working knowledge of latest policy and practice developments in older people’s support and/or housing for young people.
·  A working knowledge of Homeshare services.
·  An understanding of marketing approaches. / AF, I, P
Attitudes / ·  Commitment to empowering people who use services and their families, promoting their rights and services which are user-led, personalised and self-directed.
·  Demonstrable commitment to working in ways which promote equality of opportunity.
·  Member-focused and values the principles of co-production and partnership working.
·  Commitment to empowering local services, enabling them to share their learning and expertise and to support each other.
·  Commitment to continuous professional development. / AF, I, R
Physical / ·  Ability to work the hours dictated by the needs and demands of the job (including occasional evenings and weekends).
·  Able to travel as and when required by the job. / AF, I

Key: AF: Application Form I: Interview R: References P: Presentation

Please note that, when shortlisting applicants, we consider the extent to which applicants demonstrate in their application form that they meet the essential criteria and requirements for the post.

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