Hearing Dog Partnership Advisor (Scotland) in York

Key Responsibilities

• Provide long-term, person-centred advice, guidance, and wellbeing planning to partnerships within an allocated regional area. Ensuring all recipients feel they are treated with attention, courtesy and respect.
• Manage a caseload of partnerships, ensuring regular in-person visits (once per quarter after the first 6 months) and ongoing tailored support via multiple channels.
• Develop and implement partnership support and wellbeing plans, with robust risk management measures.
• Support the integration of new partnerships into the local community, delivering monthly support throughout the first 6 months.
• Lead on retirement and bereavement pathways, offering planning, preparation, emotional support, and signposting to alternative Hearing Link Services (HLS) where appropriate.
• Provide behavioural guidance and targeted interventions to maintain healthy, successful partnerships.

• Organise and attend local community events to strengthen relationships and engagement.
• Deliver peer-based community programmes that bring together partnerships and Peer Support Volunteers to share experiences, insights, and encouragement.
• Facilitate support groups for hearing dog partnerships, encouraging shared learning, problem-solving, and mutual encouragement.
• Work collaboratively with internal teams, volunteers, and external agencies—including support workers, local councils, employers, and veterinary practices—to remove barriers and improve outcomes.
• Advocate Partnership Volunteer Updates to maintain volunteer engagement and connection.

• Focus on quality of service and partnership outcomes, adapting support levels to meet individual needs.
• Provide timely emergency cover and practical assistance within the allocated territory, with ad hoc support to neighbouring counties as required.
• Conduct thorough root cause analysis to identify underlying issues and implement early interventions through targeted coaching and problem-solving.
• Apply person-centred, evidence-based decision-making to manage partnership breakdowns, returns, cases, and alerts effectively.
• Conduct annual assessments of each partnerships performance and wellbeing to review ongoing requirements and verify continued compliance with accreditation standards.
• Keep partnership records accurate, current, and reflective of evolving needs.
• Capture and share impactful stories to showcase the value and outcomes of our work.
• Maintain and continually develop expertise in hearing loss, assistive technology, hearing awareness, dog training, and canine wellbeing.
• Join team events, meetings, and training at regional locations and Hearing Dogs centres, with occasional overnight stays to connect, learn, and collaborate.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• Canine Behaviour & Training: Up-to-date knowledge of canine training practices, behaviour reinforcement, and emotional wellbeing support.
• Task-Related Assessment: Ability to monitor and evaluate a dog’s task performance, identifying and addressing lapses.
• Hearing Loss & Deaf Awareness: BSL Level 2 or above with strong Deaf awareness.
• Partnership Development: Understanding of person-centred support approaches and the user experience throughout the partnership lifecycle.
• Organisational Policies & Standards: Knowledge of HR policies, GDPR, equality legislation, and Assistance Dogs International (ADI) standards.

• Behavioural Guidance: Provide advice on maintaining and reinforcing behaviours, resolving challenges, and refining training plans.
• Listening & Empathy: Demonstrate strong listening skills, emotional intelligence, and compassion, especially when working with vulnerable people or those experiencing grief.
• Relationship Building: Establish and maintain trust-based relationships with partnerships, volunteers, and stakeholders.
• Problem-Solving & Conflict Resolution: Apply solution-focused methods, coaching, and mentoring to resolve partnership or task issues.
• Root Cause Analysis: Identify and address recurring challenges by working with internal teams on sustainable solutions.
• Time Management & Organisation: Manage multiple partnerships and initiatives effectively, meeting deadlines and priorities.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work productively with colleagues across different departments and functions.
• Communication: Adapt communication style for different audiences; communicate clearly across teams, stakeholders, and volunteers.
• Storytelling: Create engaging communications about partnership journeys for updates and stakeholder engagement.
• Driving: Hold a valid driving licence and be able to travel within the allocated territory.

• Self-Conduct: Lead and motivate others, holding self and others accountable while maintaining professionalism.
• Person-Centred Mindset: Tailor support and training to the unique needs, learning styles, and abilities of each partnership.
• Community Building: Foster a sense of belonging by creating opportunities for partnerships and volunteers to connect and collaborate.
• Accountability & Reliability: Deliver on commitments, meeting organisational and partnership expectations.
• Continuous Learning: Maintain professional development in canine behaviour, hearing loss, and assistive technologies.
• Professionalism: Act respectfully, reliably, and with integrity in all interactions

Benefits

• Employee Assistance Programme
• Death in Service Payment
• Annual leave enhancements recognising long service
• Day off for your birthday
• Defined contribution group personal pension plan
• Enhanced sick pay
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay
• Eye care
• Hearing tests
• Learning and Development opportunities
• Discounts on merchandise at Hearing Dog gift shops
• Pet Dog Policy