Stockton & District Advice & Information Service

STOCKTON & DISTRICT ADVICE & INFORMATION SERVICE

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job description:Self-Advocacy Worker

Responsible to:Service Manager (3)

Salary:£13,339pa

Hours per week:25

Postholder:

1.Aims of the Service

1.1 The aims of the Stockton & District Advice and Information Service are:

- to ensure that individuals do not suffer through ignorance of their rights and

responsibilities or of the services available; or through an inability to express their needs effectively;

- to exercise a responsible influence on the development of social policies and services, both locally and nationally.

The Service therefore provides free to all individuals an impartial service of information, guidance and support, and makes responsible use of the experience so gained.

1.2The Centre is an equal opportunities employer and is opposed to all forms of racism and discrimination and is committed to ensuring that all services are equally available to all people.

2.Aims of the Post

- To facilitate and support the development of self-advocacy for people with learning disabilities.

3.Duties of Postholder

• To facilitate, co-ordinate and support the development of self-advocacy

• Arrange the delivery of ‘Self Advocacy’ Workshops

• Support the involvement on the Partnership Board and other meetings of people with learning disabilities

• Develop materials that promote the inclusion of people with learning disabilities in Partnership Board Business and other meetings

• Investigate, develop and support the establishment of a self advocacy forum or organisation for people with learning disabilities in Stockton

• Develop and maintain links to statutory and non-statutory agencies to develop and promote self-advocacy

• Develop the skills of people to facilitate self-advocacy

• Arrange training for individuals/groups

• Arrange and facilitate meetings, conferences and other forums for people with learning disabilities on self-advocacy

• Prepare such reports and statistics as may be required by the Manager

• Undertake any other associated duties that may reasonably be required by the Manager

• To input into the Social Policy work of the Service

• To ensure the Services provided conform at all times to the procedures and policies of SDAIS

• To develop resources and training materials to meet the welfare needs of people with a learning disability.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

POST: Self-Advocacy Worker

ESSENTIAL SKILLS:

- Experience of self-advocacy or support work with people with a learning disability

- Ability to liaise with a wide range of individuals and organisations

- Excellent written and verbal communication skills

- Excellent organisation skills

- Excellent interpersonal skills

- Understanding of and commitment to self-advocacy and empowerment

DESIRABLE:

- Involvement with self – advocacy groups

- Experience of providing advice or information to people with a learning disability

- Experience of liaison with statutory and voluntary sector

- Ability to work to and support the aims and principles of SDAIS and NACAB