Independent Living Advisor (Direct Payments) in London

Independent Living Advisor (Self-directed Support Service)

The Organisation

Action on Disability (AoD), founded in 1979, is one of London’s leading Deaf and Disabled People’s Organisations. As we believe in the social model of disability, our values and principles embrace inclusive and accessible ways of working both internally and in all our activities, seek the participation and contribution of our members, and encourage and respect diversity.

The organisation is a medium sized charity with a Board of Trustees (at least 75% is disabled trustees), 20 staff and a strong ad hoc staff and volunteer base including many with direct experience of disability – all of whom are passionate about removing the barriers that disabled people face.

AoD provides five key services. These are: Youth, Employment, Welfare Benefits, Independent Living and Our Place.

The Independent Living Service (Self-directed Support Service) is a service that will provide support to Direct Payment users within the borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. The service will enable disabled people to have genuine choice and control over the way in which they lead their lives. The post-holder will be working alongside disabled people to enable them to have more choice and control over their care and support needs.

To work with individuals, their family and friends (where appropriate) to provide them with information, advice and assistance to enable them to access and manage a Direct Payment (DP) and recruit and manage a Personal Assistant (PA).

Support to individuals employing their own Personal (care) Assistant (PA) or engage an agency to deliver care and support.

• Provide information and advice on becoming an employer and the role of the Personal Assistant.
• Ensure that the client understands their legal obligations and responsibilities of being an employer.
• Work with clients to advertise and recruit a Personal Assistant, create a personalised job description and specification, identify the level of experience and training requirements needed for the role.
• Advise and help to calculate the PA’s salary and on costs (full training provided).
• Support the client through the interview process and where necessary sit in during interviews.
• Support individuals to reference, check legal status and where necessary DBS their support worker.
• Support individuals to set up an induction plan for their PA and enable them to identify training needs.
• Support the client to complete payroll and insurance documentation.
• Work with the client to draw up a Statement of Particular (contract) for the employed PA (templates provided).
• Encourage DP employers to take a lead in all employment issues. Information on where to seek advice e.g. ACAS, Fish and Premier Care helpline will be given and clients will be encouraged to use them.
• Ensure that the individual has a back‑up plan for emergencies.
• Encourage DP employers to be assertive and proactive with their Personal Assistants.
• Work with agencies to set up support for clients who may not wish to employ a PA directly.

Provide advice on employment issues.

Support individuals to solve practical problems e.g. lateness of staff, change of needs.

Support individuals to recruit again if necessary.

Assist individuals to re-look at budgets, training and job descriptions as they change over time.

Assist individuals to ensure that they continue to manage their Direct Payment or budget.

Support individuals to make informed choices.

Meet with the DP Support Group on a regular basis.

Assist in the development of training and other resources to support employers to manage their DP and their PA relationships.

Develop links and professional relationships with Social Work teams to support a healthy level of referrals.

• Work in a person-centred way.
• Comply with AoD’s agreed policies and procedures.
• Participate in the wider development of the service and contribute to service improvement as required.
• Be computer literate and administratively self-supporting.
• Undertake any other reasonable duties as identified by the Self-directed Support Service Lead or line manager.
• Special requirements
• Ability to travel within the London borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. Some attendance at meetings and events outside of normal office hours will be required.

The successful candidate will be required to undertake an enhanced DBS check.

• Good standard of education.
• Knowledge of employment law.
• Understanding of social care and Direct Payments legislation.
• Experience/knowledge of supporting individuals to recruit and manage employees.
• Experience of working with clients with support needs.
• Experience of using a person-centred approach.
• Ability to think creatively and to come up with solutions.
• Ability to gather and assess information efficiently.
• Numeracy skills and knowledge of budgeting.
• Ability to use Word and Excel packages to a high standard.
• Ability to work under pressure, and to tight deadlines.
• A flexible approach and able to work on own initiative.
• Good communication skills including interpersonal, written, presentational and spoken.
• Ability to guide in a sensitive way.
• Ability to assess and match skills and personalities to individual needs and preferences.
• Commitment to the Social Model of Disability and to promote choice, independence, rights and inclusion.
• Understanding of and commitment to the aims of the organisation.
• Excellent practical understanding of the need for confidentiality.
• An understanding of equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory practice.
• Experience of working with disabled people.
• Lived experience of disability.

Pay: £30,000 per annum

Hours: 35 hours per week

Contract Period: Ongoing

Closing Date: 10/07/2026 - However we reserve the right to close this vacancy early and/or begin interviewing before the closing date if a suitable candidate is identified. Early applications are therefore encouraged. (Feedback will not be provided to those not shortlisted for interview)