1. The Royal Blind Society is a U.K. wide charity and offers services to children and young people with visual impairment and their families.
  1. Family Support Workers are self employed, and fee attracting. Hours and income cannot be guaranteed and will be dependent on the numbers of families in an area, and the services they require. (Fee schedule available.) The level of visiting/contact will be agreed with the Director of Services.
  1. Family Support Workers will hold a relevant qualification in Social Work, Teaching or Health and/or will have considerable experience in the field of Disability, particularly Visual Impairment.
  1. Family Support Workers offer emotional, social and educational support, benefits advice and advocacy assistance to families, to enable children and young people to achieve best outcomes in their lives, and will involve home visits, telephone and e-mail contact, and liaison with other organisations. Individual plans will be agreed in consultation with the family and the Director of Services.
  1. Family Support Workers will aim to ensure that families are receiving appropriate services from statutory agencies and advocate on their behalf as necessary, and may attend assessment/review meetings with parents, if requested by a family and agreed with the Director of Services.
  1. Family Support Workers will work from home. They will ensure safe storage of records, and maintain confidentiality of information. Accurate records will be maintained in regard to each child/family, and in accordance with The Eyeless Trust’s guidelines, e.g. reports to the Director of Services. Permission to exchange information with other agencies will always be obtained in writing from the family by completing the appropriate forms. Support Workers will work within The Royal Blind Society’s policy documents in relation to Health and Safety, Child Protection, Data Protection, and Access to files.
  1. At any time, should a Family Support Worker have Child Protection concerns regarding a child, he/she must discuss these with the Director of Services, or in an emergency, report them immediately to the Social Services Department for the area.
  1. Family Support Workers will be expected to attend two meetings a year with the Director of Services to review work and performance, and to identify local needs, and plan any local strategies to meet these.
  1. Family Support Workers will be expected to attend two centrally organised team meetings annually. These will offer training and the opportunity to discuss issues relevant to the work of The Eyeless Trust, and to contribute to future planning.
  1. Family Support Workers must demonstrate the ability to work alone, manage the regional workload, and to refer to the Director of Services as appropriate.
  1. The Family Support Worker may become involved in local fundraising for an individual family need or activity, as necessary, from time to time.
  1. A car owner/driver is essential.
  1. The Family Support Worker, in discussion with the Director of Services, may undertake other activities within the region to promote the services of The Royal Blind Society for the benefit of families.
  1. The Family Support Worker will develop links with local Paediatric Ophthalmology Services, and other agencies to publicise the services the Trust offers, and to identify families who may wish to have contact with The Royal Blind Society.

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