Enablement & Carers Engagement Officer at Sense Ability Matters
Contract Type: Permanent
Role Type: Employment
Hours: Part time
Application deadline:
Based: South Tyneside
Salary: £21,354 Per Annum
Salary Type: Fixed Salary
Location: Tyne and Wear
Role description: Project Support
About Us
Our Vision
A disabled and sensory loss community that is informed, empowered and resilient.
Our Mission
- Empower our community by giving them the tools they need to live independently and make positive decisions.
- Help our community overcome adversity by increasing resilience and wellbeing.
- Ensure our community are informed by providing first class information, advice and guidance.
- Influence positive change locally, regionally and nationally for our community through strong stakeholder and relationship management.
Our Values
Supportive
We respond and adapt to the needs of the disabled and sensory loss community. We respect and value all our community equally. We are committed to working together to achieve shared goals.
Trustworthy
We are accountable. We are open and honest in our approach. We are reliable, act with integrity and do what it takes to support those in need.
Caring
We are friendly and warm. We take time to listen and promote inclusivity. We treat everyone with dignity and respect.
Professional
We are passionate and strive to be the best. We actively seek new ideas and innovation to bring about positive change. We rely on evidence to make our decisions. We challenge ourselves to be bold and resourceful. We are determined in the face of adversity.
Enablement & Carers Engagement Officer
This new role will work in two key areas of the Charity; firstly within our existing Enablement Team supporting people with sensory impairment, and secondly by engaging Adult carers in South Tyneside ensuring they’re accessing the support available. We envisage this will be around a 60/40 split.
The Enablement activity will involve working closely with colleagues to manage caseload and focus upon the delivery of activities that enable us to meet our contractual and organisational outcomes:
- clients experiencing improved wellbeing,
- clients being able to live more independently,
- clients feeling more confident and empowered,
- clients feeling less socially isolated.
Sense Ability Matters (SAM) delivers a range of activities and services to support those living with sensory impairment in Gateshead and South Tyneside. This is based on an holistic assessment framework and personal planning. The role will also work with teams across Sense Ability Matters to ensure clients are able to access and benefit from the support the whole organisation can offer across Gateshead and South Tyneside.
Carers Engagement
In partnership with ACTS and Your Voice Counts, SAM secured the South Tyneside Council Adult Carers contract. SAM’s role within this partnership is to reach adult carers through our existing and new beneficiaries.
This role will work with clients who are carers or family / friends of clients who may be in a caring role. The role will strengthen referral pathways via joint working with the Connected Caring team in South Tyneside. They will also analyse current services accessed by carers and seek to expand that offer, dependent on what carers say they want. This work will be focused in South Tyneside.
How to apply
Please Email your CV and a supporting statement, of no more than 500 words, that highlights why you have the skills, knowledge and experience to be successful in this post.
Email: carol.mcallister@wearesam.org.uk (Please ensure you include the Job title within the subject heading)
Closing date: 9:00 am Monday 4th August 2025
Sense Ability Matters
JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title: Enablement & Carers Engagement Officer
Responsible to: Operations Manager
Responsible for: None
Location: Gateshead/South Tyneside
Hours: 30 per week
Salary: £21,354 for 30 hrs per week
Function
To support people throughout their journey of vision and hearing loss by assessing their needs and working with them and others to plan and secure the support they need. And through expert information, advice and guidance ensure that people continue to be supported throughout their vision and hearing loss journey.
Main Tasks
- To provide people living with vision and hearing loss with a bespoke assessment and personal plan that supports people to live independently in their community.
- To deliver support in community-based settings as well as our centre. This could include one to one Information, Advice and Guidance sessions and supporting volunteer led groups/programmes.
- To liaise with, promote, support and refer into SAM’s range of services and signpost to other relevant services.
- To provide information, support and training on the specialist aids and equipment available for SAM clients and to ensure they can use the equipment appropriately.
- To work with local volunteers to assist the delivery of peer support groups and to increase awareness locally of SAM.
- To reinforce agreed vision rehabilitation actions and good practice with SAM staff and others who support clients in their vision rehabilitation needs.
- To data input into SAM systems to ensure all service user information is accurately captured and maintained.
- To provide regular monitoring and reporting against key performance indicators to meet service outputs, outcomes and impact performance to comply with our funding agreements.
- To maintain and develop links with a range of external partners and agencies and to work closely with them, especially local authority referral functions, to ensure all project/contract outcomes are met effectively.
- To network with other relevant Health and Social Care agencies to provide a holistic support package to people living with vision and hearing loss and who also could have other health conditions.
- To liaise with other internal and external staff in the development and delivery of SAM services.
- To work as part of the Connected Caring team to provide support to clients or family/friends who are in a caring role.
- To always act on behalf of the client, following their instruction, taking action as directed by them, representing their wishes or choices.
- To strengthen referral pathways to increase opportunities for carers.
- To analyse current services accessed and identify opportunities for the development of new services for carers.
- To promote SAM services in conjunction with the SAM business plan.
General
- Provide information, advice and guidance to ensure that people continue to be supported throughout their vision and hearing loss journey.
- To represent the organisation effectively to external organisations and to participate as required in local, regional and national events.
- To work as an effective member of the SAM team, contributing to all aspects of development, innovation and engagement, as may reasonably be required taking account of the nature and scope of the duties of this position. The staff team is structured to enable team members to work cross functionally depending on experience and skillset even if their primary assignment is not to that area.
- To work cooperatively in conjunction with other SAM staff/ departments to implement the organisation’s business plan.
It is a requirement of all staff that they:
- Work to support of the values of the charity. These promote respect of service users recognising their skills and entitlement to choice, dignity and independence.
- Work positively in support of the principles outlined in the organisation’s Equality and Diversity Policy.
- Assist in maintaining a safe working environment by attending training in basic and specialist health and safety as necessary, both on appointment and as changes in duties and the law require and to follow the requirements of the Sense Ability Matters Health and Safety at Work policy and any local codes of safe working practices.
- Comply with the requirement of the charity’s human resource policies and procedures.
Special Requirements
The post will involve often working without direct supervision, occasional lone working and some working out of normal office hours.
A willingness to work in an environment with Guide Dogs is essential.
This work will be delivered in a variety of locations, including service users homes, places of work, local community etc, therefore a driving licence, access to a vehicle for work purposes and willingness to travel is essential.
An enhanced DBS Disclosure is required for this post which SAM will pay for.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
EDUCATION
- GCSE grade A*-C Maths and Englis or equivalent - Essential
- Level 3 qualification in Health & Social care or equivalent (or evidence of current up to date work towards) – Essential
- Proficient use of the Microsoft Office suite of programmes - Essential
- Knowledge of any database or CRM systems (eg Charitylog, Sales Force or others) – Desirable
SKILLS
- A good understanding of both the practical and emotional needs of service users with sensory impairments and/or other disabilities and those in a caring role – Essential
- Ability or provide a comprehensive assessment of an individual’s needs to develop, secure resources and minitor the Support plan – Essential
- Excellent organisational skills with the ability to manage own workload, work independently, organise multiple tasks and achieve results without close supervision – Essential
- Willingness to learn new software packages – Essential
- Creativity and resourcefulness to help identify solutions to problems – Essential
EXPERIENCE
- Proven experience in providing people with Information, Advice and Guidance – Essential
- Report writing and record keeping – Essential
- Monitoring and reviewing individual progress – Essential
ATTRIBUTES
- Develop relationships with internal and external contacts – Essential
- Must possess a high standard of integrity – Essential
- A commitment to work in accordance with the principles of equality and diversity – Essential
- A flexible approach and willingness to learn and develop - Essential
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