Location: Western Health and Social Care Trust
Directorate: Children’s Disability Services
Contract and hours: To establish a waiting list for permanent, temporary, full-time & part-time vacancies that may arise within Children’s Disability Services Trustwide over the next 12 months.
There are immediate posts available:
- 4 X Permanent full-time posts based in Lilac Villa, Gransha Park, L’Derry
- 2 X Permanent full-time posts based in Tyrone & Fermanagh Hospital, Omagh
- 2 X Permanent full-time posts based in SWAH, Enniskillen
Job summary
The post holder will support children’s families to help them understand the needs of the child/young person and develop management strategies tailored to the individual and support them with crisis intervention which will include structured and time limited pieces of support.
The post holder will work alongside a range of professionals involved in the delivery of specialist support and services to children, young people and their families/carers living in the Western Health and Social Care Trust area.
The Children’s Disability Specialist Support worker will work directly with children and young people with the aim of promoting personal development, achievement, social inclusion and integration.
The Children’s Disability Specialist Support Worker will also work with families/carers to enhance their understanding of child’s complex needs and provide them with advice and support in caring for their child, young person. This may include provision of short breaks and crisis response support.
This post may evolve over time and this Job Description will therefore be subject to review in the light of changing circumstances. Other duties of a similar nature and appropriate to the grade may be assigned from time to time. This role will include working occasional unsocial hours including evenings and weekends to meet the demands of the service.
Main responsibilities
- Undertake work under the direction of the Senior Social Work Practitioner and other key professionals involved with the child/young person with a disability as the care/family support plan/behaviour support plan.
- Work as part of the multidisciplinary team providing parents/carers with specific information and advice about disabilities and providing emotional and practical support as required.
- Work alongside and under the direction of other professionals in helping parents/carers understand and implement specific strategies for managing their child/ young person who has a disability diagnosis and to promote their development.
- Provide tools/materials as agreed with other professionals such as schedules and other visual supports for children and young people with autism and help families understand and implement these at home.
- Undertake direct work with children and young people in consultation with and as agreed with other professionals to improve, social skills, communication skills, behaviour and personal development in appropriate setting.
- Undertake work with the families of children/young people with disabilities when identified as part of the family support plan/behaviour support plan, providing them with appropriate information about disabilities and emotional support as required.
- Participate in multi-disciplinary planning and review meetings/discussions as required and requested by the line manager
- Participate fully in team, activities and team development.
- Undertake any other duties as may be assigned by the line manager.
- Undertake crisis response work which will involve lone working with behaviours that challenge in the community and within the home.
- Undertake specific training to deliver healthcare tasks/personal care for children with complex needs (medical or otherwise).
- Undertake specialist training in communication skills which may include Makaton and PECS.
For more details view the full job description in the Additional Information section below.
