Independent Living Advisor (Direct Payments) Salary: £30,000 per annum Hours: 35 hours per week Contract: Permanent Location: Action on Disability, Mo Mowlam House, Clem Attlee Court, London, SW6 7BF Is this your next job Read the full description below to find out, and do not hesitate to make an application. The Organisation Action on Disability (AoD), founded in 1979, is one of Londons leading Deaf and Disabled Peoples 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. AoDs Independent Living Service The Independent Living Service (Direct Payments) is a new 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. Purpose of Post 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). Main Duties and Responsibilities Support to individuals employing their own Personal (care) Assistant (PA) or engage an agency to deliver care and support. 1. Provide information and advice on becoming an employer and the role of the Personal Assistant. 2. Ensure that the client understands their legal obligations and responsibilities of being an employer. 3. Work with clients to: set up a profile on the Find-a-pa website, 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. 4. Advise and help to calculate the PAs salary and on costs (full training provided). 5. Support the client through the interview process and where necessary sit in during interviews. 6. Support individuals to reference, check legal status and where necessary DBS their support worker. 7. Support individuals to set up an induction plan for their PA and enable them to identify training needs. 8. Support the client to complete payroll and insurance documentation. 9. Work with the client to draw up a Statement of Particular (contract) for the employed PA (templates provided). 10. 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. 11. Ensure that the individual has a back-up plan for emergencies. 12. Encourage DP employers to be assertive and proactive with their Personal Assistants. 13. Work with agencies to set up support for clients who may not wish to employ a PA directly. Ongoing support to individuals in receipt of Direct Payments 1.Providing advice on employment issues. 2. Support individuals to solve practical problems e.g. lateness of staff, change of needs. 3. Support individuals to recruit again if necessary. 4. Assist individuals to re-look at budgets, training and job descriptions as they change over time. 5. Assist individuals to ensure that they continue to manage their Direct Payment or budget. 6. Support individuals to make informed choices. 7. Meet with the DP Support Group on a regular basis. 8. Assist in the development of training and other resources to support employers to manage their DP and their PA relationships. 9. Develop links and professional relationships with Social Work teams to support a healthy level of referrals. For all work: Work in a person-centred way. Comply with AoDs 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 Direct Payments 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. Person Specification To be considered for this role, candidates must have: Good standard of education. Experience of recruiting volunteers or staff. 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 Desirable qualities Experience of working with disabled people Lived experience of disability Closing Date: Friday 10th July 2026 N.B. 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. If you would like to apply and find out more about this position, please click the apply button to be directed to our website. The successful candidate will be required to undertake an enhanced DBS check. We welcome applicants from all walks of life. As a Disability Confident Employer, we actively encourage applications from Disabled people and people with long term health and mental conditions. We operate a Guaranteed Interview Scheme in that we will guarantee an interview to all Disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the post. Please state in a cover letter if you wish us to consider you for this guaranteed interview scheme. AoD is a Living Wage Foundation registered employer and all of our employees, casual workers and contractors are paid above the London Living Wage. xgikmsk No agencies please.
Contact Details:
Action on Disability Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Independent Living Advisor (Direct Payments) in Ruislip
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Action on Disability.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Action on Disability!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Action on Disability, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Action on Disability or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Action on Disability:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Action on Disability! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Action on Disability
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
