Transition Officer – Scotland – British Deaf Association

Vimeo Video https://www.vimeo.com/171744024

Salary: £24,000
Hours: 35 hours (full-time)
Location: Glasgow based, with remit across central belt of Scotland
Contract Period: Three years fixed term
Accountable to: Community & Development Manager Scotland

The Work

The BDA is currently providing local support to Deaf people through empowerment and advocacy. Our aim is community advocacy, community empowerment and the development of local campaigns to ensure that local public service providers carry out BSL Charter pledges. We also provide support for Deaf young people, children and their families through British Sign Language (BSL).

With funding secured from the Big Lottery Fund, BDA Scotland is seeking to develop our work amongst children and young people through our Deaf Roots & Pride Scotland project. The vision of this project is to engage Deaf children and young people (aged 8-20) who are transitioning from primary to secondary education, or from secondary education to external environments, and to offer empowerment, skills and mentoring support.

The successful candidate will be an individual who is passionate about promoting the BDA, enjoys working with young people and has experience (or knowledge) of transition programmes, the remit and role of health and social services, and the education setting in Scotland.

The Role

The role is to work in conjunction with the Community & Development Manager Scotland and Project Mentor to see that the aims of the project are achieved. The Transition Officer will have a particular focus on establishing and maintaining stakeholder relationships within the education setting and with Social Workers and professionals such as Teachers of the Deaf.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Market and promote the Deaf Roots and Pride Scotland project.
Work with the Community & Development Manager Scotland and Project Mentor to sustain the continued success of the project.
Establish and develop relationships with key stakeholders to encourage collaboration in key areas such as, but not limited to, education and social services.
Provide guidance to schools, colleges, teachers and pupils and ensure they are kept well informed of the support provided by the DRP Scotland project.
Organise and set up transition training and information sessions in conjunction with the team.
Facilitate group research on current issues for children/young people in transition and support them to develop a range of resources and practical support to address these.
Research, develop and co-ordinate the delivery of Deaf Roots and Pride Transition training where required.
Establish and maintain databases of beneficaries and collate ongoing evaluation of progress and outcomes using established measurable indicators.
Identify and target groups and schools in which to promote the programme and run activities.
Establish and implement targets and plans with the Community & Development Manager Scotland.
Work alongside the team to reach Deaf children and young people.
Maintain regular meetings with stakeholders.
Produce promotional materials to advertise the programme.
Recruit volunteers to assist in organising, setting up and running events.
Monitor, review and evaluate programme, reporting difficulties/delays to the Community & Development Manager Scotland.
Raise and maintain the profile and status of the organisation within the local community, amongst current and potential users, the public, charitable and business organisations.
Ensure that the organisation’s obligations under health and safety legislation are fulfilled.
Actively implement all the organisation’s policies.
Undertake any other tasks as identified by line management.

PERSON SPECIFICATION – TRANSITION OFFICER

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE

Essential

Knowledge of British Sign Language and what the British Deaf Association provides/promotes in the Deaf community.
Knowledge of the Deaf community and culture.
An understanding of issues affecting Deaf children and young people.
Good knowledge about disability rights, equality issues and responsibilities, their relevance to Deaf people and how to access them.
Knowledge of word processing, databases and spreadsheet packages.

Desirable

Able to demonstrate an understanding of transitions.
An awareness of youth culture.
Knowledge of education, health and social services, how they work and the services they provide.
Knowledge of marketing practices and social media.
An understanding of and commitment to equal opportunities and safeguarding.

SKILLS & ABILITIES

Essential

Fluency in British Sign Language (BSL), with good communication skills.
Ability to engage with Deaf children and young people.
Ability to motivate others.
Ability to use own initiative and work as part of team, contributing towards the overall work of the BDA.
Highly committed and flexible,
Ability to identify and solve problems in a resourceful way,
Good listening skills and the ability to relate to Deaf children and young people.

Desirable

Good administration and record keeping skills.
Activity planning skills: organising and managing events.
Ability to work as part of a team and contribute towards the overall work of the BDA in Scotland.
Ability to prioritise and meet deadlines.

EXPERIENCE

Essential

Experience of providing transition sessions/training for Deaf children and young people.
Experience of establishing/developing relationships in a work environment.

Desirable

Experience of working with young people in a group or on a one-to-one basis.
Involvement in steering groups in education.

OTHER

Must be available for some overnight stays and flexible working hours, with some weekend or specific event commitment required.
Willing to undergo a Disclosure Scotland check.
Willing to use own car (and provide details of insurance) or public transport.
Willing to undergo relevant training.
Patient and non-judgemental.
Respect others’ beliefs.

All posts will be based in Glasgow and will cover the whole of the central belt of Scotland (including Glasgow, Falkirk and Edinburgh). The project must start by September 2016.