Support Officer Application Pack

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Job Vacancy: Support Worker

Dear Applicant

Thank you for your interest in the above post. Please find enclosed the

following information:

We are happy to accept your application form by e-mail as a MicrosoftWord attachment, but we will still require a hard copy in the post withyour signature by the closing date.Please read through all the information carefully. When applying, pleaseensure that you answer all questions and provide examples to back upstatements made about your experience.

All applications will be treated in strictest confidence, and in line withequal opportunities practice the front page will be removed during theshort-listing process.

Please mark the corner of your envelope: SW/APP, and post to:

If you have any questions, or would like to discuss the role of the

Support Worker, please contact Suzanne Duval on 029 20368888.

Thank you

Contents Page

Information about Diverse Cymru 2

Job Description 3

Person Specification 6

Application Form 10

Further Information 16

Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form 19

Diverse Cymru, 3rd Floor Alexandra House, 307-315 Cowbridge Road East, CantonCardiff CF5 1JD

Closing Date for applications 12 noon, Thursday 14th April 2011Shortlisting 15th April 2011Interviews 21st April 2011


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Information about Diverse Cymru

Following the formation of the Equalities and Human Rights Commission

in 2007 it was decided to create an organisation in Wales to reflect the

wider remit of the new organisation and to focus on promoting

opportunities for everyone regardless of race, age, disability, religion or

belief, sexual orientation, gender or transgender status.

Diverse Cymru is a new exciting organisation that has brought together

two organisations; Cardiff and Vale Coalition of Disabled People and

Awetu have been working to promote equality and diversity since the

1990s. Diverse Cymru brings these two dynamic organisations together

to provide opportunities for enhancing equality work across boundaries

and deliver an equality agenda that will play a central role in ensuring

equalities and diversity is everyone's business, whatever their role

We pursue equality and full rights for all people in every part oftheir lives.

We are actively opposed to all forms of discrimination.

We promote the right of disabled people to achieve independencethrough being in control of their own lives.

We are actively involved in national and local campaignsensuring the rights and entitlements of disabled people.

We advise a range of public and voluntary sector bodies onequality issues.

We pursue equality and full rights for BME adults experiencingmental ill health.

We promote the rights of BME adults experiencing mental illhealth.

With the coming together of the two organisations, we are looking for anexperienced and dynamic Support Worker, providing help and support topeople experiencing mental health difficulties, particularly within theBME Community, enabling them to sustain independent life in thecommunity.


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Job Description

Post Title: Support Worker

Salary: 18,453 (Scale 4.20) plus 3% contributory

pension scheme

Hours: 37 hours per week, flexitime policyoperates.28 days annual leave plus public holidays

Reporting to: Diverse Cymru Director of Operations

Place of Work: Cardiff

Job Purpose:Providing help and coordinating support to people experiencing mentalhealth difficulties, particularly within the BME Community, enabling themto sustain independent life in the community.

The post holder will:

Provide relevant support to enable people to maintain theirindependence and to achieve their aspirations for independentliving.

Increase the motivation of individuals. Coordinate and develop the volunteer befriending role Support individuals to pursue outside activities/interests. Support individuals to have the confidence necessary to

appreciate that they can exercise choices. Develop the role of volunteers in delivering services to clients

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Supervision of some volunteers.


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SUPERVISION AND GUIDANCE:

Reports to the Diverse Cymru Director of Operations (DCDO) butwill be expected to work on own initiative with a high degree ofindependence, referring only complex issues to the DCDO.

Will work closely with the other Diverse Cymru Team members interms of consistent work practices, mutual support, and sharing ofinformation/good practice on support work.

Will respond to guidance from the Diverse Cymru Governing Body.

RANGE OF DECISION MAKING:

Will be required to exercise a high degree of professionaljudgement, consistency and objectivity in relation to providingsupport and information to clients.

Will be expected to determine and analyse outcomes of thesupport service.

RESPONSIBILITY FOR ASSETS, MATERIALS ETC:

Responsible for data collected in pursuit of the above objectives.

Access to paper/computerised records containing clients personaland financial information, in accordance with relevant DataProtection requirements.

General responsibility for all equipment and furniture in the post-holders area.

CONTACTS:

Operational contact with:

Service providers and service users

Agencies involved in related information and support services

RANGE OF DUTIES:

Receiving initial requests for advice and information, assess usersissues and needs and ensure appropriate responses to theirneeds.

Undertaking casework on behalf of users on issues directly orindirectly related or connected with their circumstances (e.g.housing, welfare rights).


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Coordinating and developing a befriending service to help meetthe needs of service users

To work closely with Diverse Cymrus Advocacy Officer to provideadvice, information, and support to clients.

Negotiating with relevant agencies on behalf of service users tofurther the progress of their case/claims.

Maintaining up-to-date information and be aware of relevantlegislation (e.g. Equality Act 2010).

Liaising with Diverse Cymrus Volunteer Coordinator and ServiceUser Involvement Officer in order to provide a distinct andspecialised service for clients.

Keeping clear and precise records for all clients and be aware ofconfidentiality policies/vulnerable adult alerting procedures.To actively contribute to Diverse Cymrus campaigning andawareness raising work by feeding casework experiences toinform these activities and others, such as consultation exercises.

Preparing reports as required for the Director of Operationsincluding monitoring and statistics.

To undertake any other duties as required which are appropriate tothe work of Diverse Cymru which are commensurate with theresponsibility levels of the post and bearing in mind the developingnature of the service.


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DIVERSE CYMRU

PERSONNEL SPECIFICATION

POST TITLE: Support Worker POST REF: SW/APP

SUMMARY OF JOB: Providing help and coordinating support to people experiencing mental health difficulties, particularlywithin the BME Community, enabling them to sustain independent life in the community.

Diverse Cymru is an Equal Opportunities Employer and requires its employees to believe in equality and the rights of allpeople, both in terms of equal opportunity for employment and access to services. We are committed to making reasonableadjustments to the job role and working environment so that disabled people have access to job opportunities or currentemployees can continue working where they develop a disabling condition.

ATTRIBUTE ESSENTIAL CRITERIA DESIRABLECRITERIA

HOW IDENTIFIED

QUALIFICATIONS Educated to degree or equivalentexperience

Educated to degreelevel

Application form andSelection Process.Certificates

EDUCATION /

TRAINING

Willing to undertake training as

required.

Evidence of personal

development in the lasttwo years.

Application form & Selection

Process.

KNOWLEDGE /EXPERIENCE

At least two years experience ofworking in the BME voluntarysector

Application form & Selectionprocess


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A good understanding ofadvocacy support practices andprinciplesPrevious experience of providingsupport to vulnerable clientseither in a group or on anindividual basis

Commitment to involving

volunteers in servicedevelopment and initiatingchangeKnowledge and understanding ofcurrent legislation whichunderpins Health and SocialCare.

Experience of enablingindividuals to becomemore confident

CIRCUMSTANCES/PERSONAL

Must be legally entitled to work inthe UK.

If driving is a feature of this post must have access to licensedvehicle and appropriately insured(e.g. business use)Able to work flexible hours i.e.outside of 9-5

Access to transport

Selection process.

Sight of appropriatedocumentation as specifiedin interview letter

PRACTICAL ANDINTELLECTUAL

Good written and verbalcommunication and presentationskills.



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SKILLS Ability to work to deadlines andunder pressureMust be able to perform all dutiesand tasks with reasonableadjustment, where appropriate, inaccordance with the Equality Act2010

Computer literate

Selection process.

SPECIALISTKNOWLEDGE

Knowledge of social care andmental health related supportKnowledge of the BMEcommunity

Ability and commitment tomaintaining confidentiality ofinformation relating to theorganisation

Knowledge of support needs andtheir impact upon individuals,family and community


DISPOSITION/ADJUSTMENT/ATTITUDE

Ability to work with a range of

individuals and agencies.Ability to motivate and inspirevolunteersAbility to work across disciplinesand organisationsExcellent inter-personal skills,able to work with possible conflict

Selection process


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and challenges using tact anddiplomacy.Ability to work as part of a teamAbility to work on own initiative,prioritise and organise ownworkload.Candidates should indicate anacceptance of and commitment

to the principles underlying EqualRights and Diversity policies andpractices.They should be able to display apositive approach to achievingpractical solutions to equality anddiversity.

They should demonstrate anawareness of fairness, equality &diversity issues in relation to theirchosen area of work.


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CONFIDENTIAL APPLICATION FOR EMPLOYMENT

This form is available in other formats on request

Position applied for: Support Worker

Personal DetailsNameAddress

Post CodeTelephoneEmailHow did youfind outabout thisjob

References

Please nominate two people who can comment on your suitability for thisposition. They will not be contacted unless a job offer has been made.

Referee 1 Referee 2

Name Name

Address Address

Post code Post code

Telephone Telephone

e-mail e-mail

Relationship to you Relationship to you


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Education, Training and Qualifications

Please give details of any school/college education, training or qualificationsthat are relevant to this post. Please include dates.


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WORK HISTORY

Please tell us about your present and previous PAID or UNPAID workexperience. We recognise that valuable skills and experience can be gainedthrough voluntary work and/or managing family and home. Include the

organisations name, the position you held and the dates you worked there.


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ABILITIES, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCEPlease tell us about the abilities, skills and experience that you would bringto the role. We need to know how you meet the Essential Requirementsset out in the Person Specification.


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1. Please provide 2 main examples of how discrimination mayaffect people?

2. Please outline something you have done to help achieve equalityin your own or other peoples lives


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If you wish to attach further A4 sheets with other information orcomments, please ensure that your name and the job you are applyingfor are marked clearly on the sheet.

Do not submit a CV as this will not be considered (see attachedinformation).

PLEASE NOTE All successful job applicants will be subject to thelegally required Criminal Records Bureau checks for the post of whichthey are applying, prior to confirmation of post. Due to the length of timethis takes, successful applicants can start working their probationaryperiod with the organisation whilst this is being carried out. However,restrictions on unsupervised working with some people involved with theorganisation may occur during this period.

STATEMENT

I hereby certify that the information given on this form is correct to thebest of my knowledge.

Signed: Date:


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FURTHERINFORMATION

Information about Diverse Cymru and the way it works

We pursue equality and full rights for all people in every part of

their lives.

We are actively opposed to all forms of discrimination.We promote the right of people to achieve independence through

being in control of their own lives.

What we do

We are actively involved in national and local campaignsensuring the rights and entitlements of all people.

We advise a range of public and voluntary sector bodies onequality issues and provide a training and consultancy

service, and awareness raising sessions.We run an Independent Living Scheme. It works with peoplewho receive direct payments from their social servicesdepartment. The scheme provides information, support andtraining to disabled people who wish to use this money toemploy their own personal assistants.

We run an issue and crisis based Advocacy Service.

Organisational CultureBriefly, we are committed to valuing all participants in the work of the

organisation. It is assumed that all staff (and indeed all other

participants) identify with the aims of the organisation and commit

themselves to the creative pursuit of our aims. The culture is, as far as

is practical, based on consensual decision making, professionalism,

individual responsibility within a team framework, implicit control within

agreed boundaries (and resources) and holistic support for employees

and colleagues.

Our organisational culture is not simply ideology. Practical concerns

demand an entrepreneurial approach and Diverse Cymru have a well-

deserved reputation for driving the equality agenda in Wales. To

maintain this credibility, staff, need to feel that they have the authority

and support to carry out their responsibilities; staff must be able to take

decisions in the field. Many of the initiatives taken by both

organisations have been opportunistic, with staff identifying opportunities

to achieve organisational goals through sometimes unforeseen routes.


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As part of this culture we are currently reviewing our recruitmentprocesses and have recognised the need to be clear with applicantsabout how our recruitment system works. This briefing gives a shortoverview of this and tells you what YOU have to do to be successful inyour job application.

When a post becomes vacant or a new job is identified, we consider:

1. What the organisation needs to achieve the targets set out in ourbusiness plan;

2. The duties and tasks involved in the role we put these in a JobDescription;

3. The experience, skills and/or qualifications a successful candidate willneed - we put these in a Person Specification;

4. How to attract applicants for the post.

When we advertise jobs we try to give a contact name for job-seekers tocall if they need to know anything about how to apply for the job. Thesepeople can tell you things like:

How to get an application pack;How to get information in different formats;When the panel will meet to carry out Shortlisting (which people tointerview);Where and when the interviews will be held; andWhat to do if you have a complaint.

On request, an application pack will be sent to you. The pack willcontain:

A. A covering letter;B. An information pack;C. An application form;D. A job description;

E. A person specification;F. An Equal Opportunities Form.

YOU need to read this information really carefully, as it should informyou how best to complete your application form. YOU need to payparticular attention to the PersonSpecification and Job Descriptionas during shortlisting and interview we will test the information you giveus against the requirements we have set out in these documents. YOUneed to demonstrate to us that you can meet the requirements before

you can be interviewed or appointed to a job.


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When the panel looks at your form we can only use the information youhave given us. So that the process is fair, the people taking part on therecruitment panel CANNOT consider any other information they may begiven about any applicant, even if we already know you. So please dontassume we are aware of your skills - YOU need to tell us on theapplication form which asks for details of the experience and skills you

have to do the job. Please answer all the points in the personnelspecification where required on the form, adding extra pages as needed.Please note we DO NOT accept CVs. If you only provide informationusing a CV, then your application will be disregarded.

Please also make sure that:

You use black ink or type your form (unless it is produced inaccessible format);

Your name is clearly shown on all information you send us;You fill in all the other parts of the form as clearly as you can(information may be missed if the form is difficult to read);

The form reaches us on time (this is your responsibility and wecannot accept forms after the closing date);

You tell us about any access needs you have as soon as possible.The longer we have to prepare, the easier it will be to meet theseneeds;

Application forms received will not be acknowledged (unless, a stampedaddressed envelope is provided by the candidate). Only successfulapplicants will be notified of the outcome of the selection Process.If you have not received a reply from us within two weeks of the closingdate, please assume you have not been successful on this occasion. Ifyou require feedback please contact the person named in the advertwhom will respond in writing (or other accessible format) to your enquiry.

After interview you will be notified of the outcome by phone and/or letter

unless otherwise stated by the panel during the interview. If you are notsuccessful and would like feedback please request as above.

If you need any further information please get in touch with the contactperson.


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Equal opportunities monitoring form

Diverse Cymru are working towards a comprehensive equal

opportunities policy. We hope that you will help us by completing

this form so that we can check whether the policy is succeeding.

The information you provide will be kept strictly confidential and

used for monitoring purposes only.

It is not compulsory to return this form and will not

prejudice your job application if you choose not to

fill in the form.

Please fill in as much of the form as possible and thenplace it in a sealed envelope within your application andreturn to us with your application form.

Thank you for your co-operation.


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Name:Job applied for: Support Worker

1. Disability

I define myself as a disabled person: Yes No

2. Gender and age: Please tick

I am: Female Male Age:

3. Sexuality: Please tick

I identify as Gay man Lesbian Heterosexual

Other, please specify.

4. Ethnic origin: Please tick oneThis refers to members of an ethnic group who share the same culturalbackground and identity. It does not mean country of birth or nationality.I would describe my ethnic origin as:

White UK Black UK White Welsh Black Welsh

African-Caribbean Indian Bangladeshi Irish

Pakistani Chinese Other Asian Other Black

White European:

If none of the above applies please specify:

5. Language 6. Access Needs Please specify:My first language is:

Documents

Support Officer Application Pack