Employment Development Worker – Learning Disabilities (Ealing)

The EDW may be required to work weekends and evenings. Location – Dare To Dream (West Ealing, W13 9HH). All Ealing Mencap posts are subject to ongoing funding of the service.

Dare To Dream is a job skills training programme for adults (trainees) with learning disabilities. The service seeks to build confidence, professionalism, soft skills, independence, and inclusion in the community with ‘employment’ as the focus.

Job Purpose

The overall purpose of the role is to ensure that each trainee experiences progression, independence, and inclusion, with a focus on employment. The EDW will be expected to develop and secure opportunities with local businesses. The EDW will work with the staff team to create, develop, and deliver a mixture of employment, creativity, and life skills sessions.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Working with the staff team to organise and deliver person-centred training.
• Creating, developing and managing meaningful volunteering and employment opportunities for trainees.
• Reaching out and building professional relationships with local businesses to promote our project, explore their employment requirements and secure opportunities for interviews, work placements and paid roles.
• Forming positive relationships with trainees and families/carers to work in partnership and achieve the best outcomes for trainees.
• Working with other support agencies and the Local Authority to ensure that they can utilise our experiences within their organisation strategies and work programmes.
• Using Charity Log (CRM system)/Google drive to maintain accurate records, reporting, and monitoring of service provision and outcomes.
• Ensuring the service complies with all data protection legislation.
• Contributing to the development of policies, procedures and working practices to meet the needs of the service and the organisation.
• Responding to any complaints and safeguarding concerns as directed by Line Manager.
• Leading from the front as a strong role model within the organisation and always embodying the Ealing Mencap values.
• Keeping up to date with trainees’ risk assessments and support plans.
• Working closely with the Team Leader to update where necessary.
• Keeping up to date with all of Ealing Mencap’s policies and procedures.

Person Specification - Employment Development Worker

• A genuine passion for supporting adults with learning disabilities to live fulfilling lives.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with a person-centred approach.
• High level of IT skills for record-keeping and communication, familiarity of Google Docs, Gmail and Excel.
• Ability to work well as part of a team, follow instructions, and stay organised.
• Ability to encourage participation, inclusion, and independence.
• Reliability, empathy, and a positive, proactive attitude.
• Ability to work under pressure and adapt to diverse situations.
• Confident in developing and leading sessions.
• NVQ Level 2 in Health and Social Care (or willingness to work towards it).
• Previous experience working with individuals with learning disabilities or additional needs.

This job description is not an exhaustive list of duties and should only be seen as a general guide. As duties and responsibilities of this post may change and develop over time, this job description is subject to amendment.