Project Worker

Deafblind Scotland is the specialist charity working with adults living with dual sensory impairment. Our ambitions are high for people with sensory loss, particularly those with dual sensory impairment, and we are therefore at the cutting edge of finding ways to support them to lead their most meaningful lives. The Carers Advice Projectis a support service for carers, and those carers may themselves have a sensory impairment as well as or instead of the person they care for, in Fife, to access their rights so they can have a better quality of life and to reduce socio-economic and health inequalities. This post will also involve travel across Fife with some travel required to & from our office in Kirkintilloch.

Deafblind Scotland provides information & specialist knowledge in many inclusive forms of communication relied on by people with sensory loss including Braille/Moon, BSL/Tactile BSL, Deafblind Manual & Audio.

The project worker will work with the carers affected by sensory impairment within this new project which is part of our existing Connect2Support Programme. Overall ensuring the carers affected by sensory impairment, who are amongst the most disadvantaged in society, are provided with specialist support which enables them & those they care for to access their rights and navigateDeafblind Scotland is the specialist charity working with adults living with dual sensory impairment. We also support other single sensory impaired adults with a visual impairment or deafness, who can benefit from our services. Our ambitions are high for people with sensory loss, particularly those with dual sensory impairment, and we are therefore at the cutting edge of finding ways to support people to lead their most meaningful lives.

Deafblindness can be a devastating condition that can make daily life extremely challenging and as a result, many people with dual sensory loss become isolated. Our services can make a vital difference to their lives; enabling people to regain confidence, gain vital communication skills and re-establish social connections. Some people may acquire the loss of both senses where others may be born Deaf or blind and lose the other sense through conditions such as Ushers Syndrome or through the ageing process.

**Purpose of Job**

This bespoke project, focusing on carers to ensure their wellbeing, will be provided through a unique home visiting service. Many people with a sensory impairment are older, they may be a carer or being cared for. This can lead to barriers in activating rights such as a lack of access to technology. The Project Worker will take online technology to the visit so that information and any forms can be accessed in the client’s home. This is also an example of the added value the Carers Advice project will bring where carers in Fife affected by sensory impairment will have access to the other forms of support that DbS offer such as through internal referral to our technology project, communication & independent living skills, training and health & mental health improvement programmes.

**Key Responsibilities**

The Project Worker will take every opportunity to involve carers affected by sensory impairment and support them to build their confidence, leading to a more sustainable and independent lifestyle. In doing so the Project Worker will:

- Support carers affected by sensory impairment to access their rights, leading to enhancement of their quality of life
- Conduct needs assessments determining the support required for carers and provide ongoing person-centred monitoring & support planning as required
- Research peer support groups, carers centres, respite care etc
- Provide appropriate & timely advice, information and advocacy support
- Carry out home visits
- Liaise with and make ongoing referrals to other agencies
- Raise awareness of needs & rights of carers affected by sensory impairment
- Collect and record data & monitoring information and maintain accurate records
- Co-ordinate the day-to-day activities of the project including liaising with Language Service Professionals (BSL Interpreters, Electronic Notetakers, Tactile Sign Language Interpreters etc.) to support fully inclusive communication within meetings and consultations etc.
- Work with Senior Programme Leader and Colleagues to identify, build and maintain relationships and networking opportunities with local organisations
- Undertake & successfully complete identified training courses to support achieving outcomes of the project
- General advocacy, advice & information work relating to carers within the Fife area
- Support the implementation of the project’s monitoring and evaluation strategy.
- Prepare reports for Senior Programme Leader and contribute towards reporting to Head of Operations, Board and Funders, based on the monitoring and evaluation strategy
- Maintain a steady flow of information to the Senior Programme Leader and produce reports as required
- Other tasks as required by the Ch