Project Worker

The Project Worker will work as part of a team in offering a listening ear and emotional support, building rapport whist gaining an understanding of the problems people face. The project worker will work alongside the client and the wider team in seeking and providing information and signposting that is relevant to the client and will be able to help the client to engage with their community and wider support - this may include understanding what local groups, or volunteering opportunities are available, helping with contingency planning, or understanding what their rights are to services and how to access them.
Many clients may be experiencing poor mental well-being, very low self-esteem, low self-efficacy, high levels of loneliness, low emotional and personal resilience or who are experiencing poor quality of life because they are struggling to access activities or services which could support a good and fulfilling life.
The project uses a new bespoke assessment which will support the project worker and the client in the assessment and action planning process.

Key Responsibilities of the Project Worker:

1. To build a rapport with clients and gain an understanding of the problems they face - undertaking assessment of need, building action plans, and undertaking reviews, with gentle check-ins with the client to ensure progress is being made.

2. Identifying sources of information, advice, help and services that will help to improve the client's standard of living / quality of life, confidence, self-esteem, and personal resilience.

3. The project worker will identify opportunities that could help to reduce the impacts of loneliness, social isolation, and exclusion (increasing social connectedness).

4. Signposting and referral to services, activities or organisations which can provide further help, advice, support, or other life-improving benefits to clients, including peer support, buddying or group-based activities.

5. The project worker will support the project lead in tracking project progress and measuring the impact of DisAbility Connect.

6. To establish good working relationships with other professionals and agencies to ensure consistency of working and avoid duplication of effort.

7. To ensure that suitable safeguarding, confidentiality and data protection procedures are followed at all times.

8. The project worker will manage and prioritise their own workload in agreement with the project lead.

9. To participate in regular team meetings and work as part of a team to ensure the smooth and effective running of DSWM.

10. To maintain the highest standards of conduct at all times. To carry out the duties of the post with strict adherence to all DSWM policies and procedures, to consult and liaise with the line manager with regards to the key aspects of the work, and to supply information as required.

11. The project worker will raise awareness with the project lead / CEO of any health and safety issues affecting themselves, colleagues and clients.

Disability Solutions West Midlands expects all its staff to maintain the highest standards in terms of presentation, client satisfaction, interpersonal relationships and integrity, and will support all staff to achieve these.
This job description is not exhaustive, and the post holder may from time to time be asked to undertake other duties appropriate to their overall role as requested by the CEO in line with project development or to secure better outcomes for our clients.

Staff Development
1. All staff undergo an induction programme that gives clear guidance of the aims and values of the organisation and acceptable standards of performance and behaviour in carrying out their role.
2. The post holder will receive regular one-to-one supervision and support in line with DSWM policy.
3. Further training opportunities for professional and personal development will be provided, as appropriate and according to identified need.

Disability Solutions West Midlands are seeking a motivated individual with an advice background who is looking for additional training to become our DisAbility Connect Project Worker. The successful candidate will have a knowledge of the health and social care/local community landscape and experience of working in the community advice sector, or social prescribing. The successful candidate will have a full driving licence and daily use of a car. We warmly welcome applications from ex-military personnel.

Disability Confident
About Disability Confident
A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to Disability Confident.

About Disability Solutions West Midlands (DSWM) - we are a user-led pan-disability charity based in Stoke-on-Trent and have been working in the city for over 40 years. Our mission is to empower people with disabilities and long-term health conditions to attain the highest possible quality of life, through listening, information, advice, guidance, and emotional support.