BSL Level 3+: Communication Support Worker (Maternity Cover CSW)
Location: Blackburn. Full-time, temporary maternity cover until 28 February 2027.
Salary: £27,000 – £30,000 per year.
Job Purpose: Provide communication support for Deaf clients within the Deaf Hub, School of Sign Language Ltd, facilitating access to health care, goods and services, housing, education, training and employment. The role enhances communication using a variety of strategies and modes to match each individual's needs and preferences.
Key Responsibilities
- Support Lead Wellbeing Officers and Wellbeing Officers through bilingual communication, note-taking, language modification and lip-speaking.
- Work with Deaf employees to enable them to fully participate in company life and promote their social and emotional development.
- Encourage and promote confidence and independence of Deaf employees.
- Work on own initiative, referring matters to Senior Management when required.
- Respond to information from colleagues, Operations Management and Senior Leadership Team; provide communication support for any study or training activities.
- Maintain current and accurate records of communication support activities via the PASS system and other internal systems.
- Ensure that records are kept to acceptable standards for all parties, including auditors.
Personal Qualifications
- Genuine desire to help Deaf people achieve their best.
- Patience and empathy with adults and children.
- Optimism, enthusiasm, vision and creativity.
- Determination and a "can do" approach.
- Reliability and consistency.
- Ability to work well as part of a team and independently.
- Adaptability and resilience.
- Initiative and proactive engagement.
- Ability to relate to and inspire vulnerable adults or young people.
- Clear verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to develop good working relationships with all staff members.
Experience
- Successful experience working with the Deaf community and disabled/vulnerable adults or children.
- Understanding of the diverse learning and social needs of young people, particularly with social communication difficulties.
- Previous learning support experience.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word); 1:1 training will be provided to reach required skill level.
- Experience within the Deaf community.
Qualifications
- 5 A–C GCSEs including English and Maths.
- BSL Level 3 or above, or fluent in BSL (essential).
- Willingness to undertake Level 3 in Health & Social Care.
- Experience working with Deaf people/disabled or NEETs (even voluntary).
Specialist Knowledge and Skills
- Excellent communication skills.
- Understanding of how people learn, including specific knowledge of Deaf learning.
Service Commitment
- Commitment to working for the benefit of others.
- Commitment to "going the extra mile" for the clients we support.
