Deafblind Scotland

Person Jobdes Guide Communicator

JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE:

Guide Communicator

COMPANY:

Deafblind Scotland

BASE:

Deafblind Scotland Learning & Development Centre,
1  Neasham  Drive,  Kirkintilloch,  G66  3FA  with  travel
across Scotland.

CONTRACTED HOURS:

Fixed/Sessional

RESPONSIBLE TO:

Service Manager

ACCOUNTABLE TO:

Head of Operations

Background

Deafblind Scotland is the specialist charity working with  adults living with dual sensory
impairment. Our ambitions are high for members and we are therefore at the cutting edge
of finding ways to support people to lead their most meaningful life.

Deafblindness  can  be  a  devastating  condition  that  can  make  daily  life  extremely
challenging and as a result, many dual sensory impaired people become isolated. Our
services can make a vital difference to their lives; enabling people to regain confidence,
gain  vital  communication  skills  and  re-establish  social  connections.  Some  people  may
acquire the loss of both senses where others may be born deaf or blind and lose the other
sense through conditions such as Ushers Syndrome or through the ageing process.

Summary of Service:

Working with vulnerable adults as a Guide Communicator in our services you will
enable the people you are working with to live as full and independent a life as possible.
Assisting them in everyday tasks, opportunities and choices giving them as much
control as possible over their own life.

Person Jobdes Guide Communicator

Job Purpose:

As a Guide Communicator you will be required to work as part of a multi-disciplinary
team of staff to support the Service User in meeting their needs and expectations.

You will also be required to work on a 1:1 basis in lone worker situations to support
service users within their own homes and/or participate in their chosen activities and
interests. You will be committed to life long support and willing to undertake personal
care tasks required.

Key Responsibilities

Guide Communicator

1. Day to day service delivery

As a Guide Communicator you will take responsibility ensuring that the support provided
meets best practice standards and lead by example ensuring that:

•  At all times, act as the eyes and ears of the deafblind person, relaying what is seen

and heard. This includes spoken, non-verbal, written and environmental information.

•  Serve as a guide to the deafblind person, escorting them outside the home (on foot

or by public transport) to the destination of their choice.
Individual service user needs are identified and met in practice.

•
•  Respect and maintain the deafblind person’s right to privacy and confidentiality.
•  Make phone calls, write letters or complete forms on the deafblind person’s behalf.
•  Attend planning/evaluation meetings with deafblind people, Operations manager and

funding agencies.

•  They set and demonstrate good standards of work practice.
•  They work as part of a team in the delivery of a high quality service for service users
ensuring that all standards as laid down by statutory and internal documents are
met.

•  Proper record-keeping, including recording incidents and complaints are maintained

and passed to the Manager, as soon as possible.

•  Comply with the Scottish Social Services Council’s Code of Practice for Social Care

Workers.

2. Reflective Practice

The Guide Communicator will ensure that:

•  Their knowledge and skills is used to meet the needs of those using the service.
•  They maintain a daily record of work and activities undertaken as required by

Deafblind Scotland.

•  The service is continually reviewed on a day to day basis and the Manager notified

of any required changes or improvements.

Person Jobdes Guide Communicator

•  Service users and staff have the opportunity to contribute as appropriate to the

evaluation of the service, and that staff are involved in setting and achieving clear
goals aimed at improving the service.

3. Communication

The Guide Communicator will:

•  Provide deafblind people with access to information/services through the effective

use of their preferred communication method which may include BSL, SSE,
deafblind manual, lip reading, hands-on signing, clear speech, keyboarding skills,
note taking and other means of receptive and expressive communication as required
to meet their individual needs.

•  Ensure the deafblind person receives full information using their preferred
communication method to enable them to make informed decisions.

•  Ensure that they establish and maintain good and effective communication

partnerships and networks with all relevant parties which will include:
Service users and their families, Deafblind Scotland staff, members of the public.
Submit reports and timesheets weekly to the Guide Communicator Operations
manager.

4. Personal and professional development

The Guide Communicator will:

•  Complete the required mandatory and service specific training within the timescales

agreed.

•  Attend all practice based support sessions and any supervision meetings as agreed

with your line manager.

•  Support the Manager, Supervisor and Practitioner in ensuring performance is
effectively managed through supervision and professional development plans.

•  Support a culture of continuing professional development.
•  They are registered with the SSSC, PVG and any other relevant bodies within the

required timescales.

5. Other requirements.

The Guide Communicator will:

•  Be accountable for their own actions and personal and professional development
•  Safeguard and promote the rights, safety and welfare of people using the services
•  Be aware of and act in accordance with the SSSC Codes of Practice, your contract

of employment and Deafblind Scotland’s code of conduct.

•  Undertake any other duties as reasonably requested by your line manager or senior

management.

Person Jobdes Guide Communicator

Guide Communicator Person profile

Education/Qualifications

Essential
Must be in a position to gain qualification as
determined by the SSSC for registration;

Be able to gain registration with the SSSC within the
timescale required, where relevant.

Experience/Understanding

Evidence of a desire to work in a support role

Skills and Abilities

Additional Requirements

Education/Qualifications

Demonstrate a working knowledge of current statutory
requirements, Care Inspectorate standards, registration
requirements and the SSSC Codes of Practice
Be able to demonstrate an ability to work with
stakeholders including colleagues, families and external
colleagues
Demonstrate an ability to give clear and concise verbal
and written reports.
Demonstrate an ability to manage and maintain accurate
records.
Demonstrate an ability to assess and manage risk.
Be able to demonstrate an ability to problem solve and
think creatively with a view to finding positive outcomes for
service users.
Be able to demonstrate how you remain accountable for
the quality of your work and take responsibility for
maintaining and improving your knowledge and skills.
An ability to work flexible hours including evenings,
weekends and public holidays.
IT skills i.e. Microsoft Word and Excel with access to these
on a daily basis.
A commitment to complete all agreed mandatory and
service specific training and development within 1 year.

Desirable
SVQ Level 2 (Adult Services) Social Care or HNC
Social Care (2005 revised award G7EM15) or other
qualification as determined by the SSSC for
registration

Additional

SVQ Social Services and Healthcare at SCQF Level 6
Hold a full driving licence

Person Jobdes Guide Communicator

Food Hygiene certificate

Ability to communicate through signing.

Holidays:

29 days annual leave inclusive of 8 statutory days (pro-rata

for part time) Holiday entitlement is calculated based on the

average hours worked over the previous 52 weeks, unless

this is not representative of the normal working pattern.

Probationary period:

6 months