Background

Sheffield Parent Carer Forum (SPCF), along with Sheffield Clinical Commissioning Group (SCCG) and Sheffield City Council (SCC) have received funding from NHS England (NHSE) to develop an autism in schools project for ten schools across Sheffield. Parent carer experience and coproduction will be at the heart of the project to work with the schools identified to better support the needs of children and young people (CYP). It will look at the school environment, relationships between staff, parents and CYP and early intervention. A training model for school staff will be codeveloped by health professionals and parents.

Job purpose

The project worker will work with parents and staff in the participating schools to set up parent groups and seek parents views on how to improve support in schools and develop the training. This will include working with staff across health and education.

Main duties

Plan and schedule tasks, review progress and report to SPCF project lead

Ensure that parent carers and their experiences are at the heart of the project

Complete reports as requested

Attend training alongside school staff to ensure collaborative working

Liaise with forums who are involved in this project in other local areas

Organise and facilitate the development of special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) mini forums/parent groups in schools to improve relationships between parents and staff and to develop parent school champions

Build positive relationships with school staff

Assist colleagues in Sheffield Childrens Hospital (SCH) to improve the school environment, using parent feedback

Work with colleagues in CCG, SCC, (SCH) Ryegate Team to inform content of the training

Write meeting notes and circulate to parents

Remain a consistent point of contact for parents, school staff and health professionals

Help to recruit, support and manage SPCF outreach volunteers

This is not a final and complete statement of duties, which may be amended from time to time in accordance with the changing needs of the project.

The job description forms part of the contract of employment.

Apply here: https://www.facebook.com/jobs/job-opening/205214324908391

Skills and Experiences

Person specification

Essential knowledge and skills

Experience of having an autistic CYP in a mainstream secondary school. We will also consider applications from people with relevant experience of working with autistic CYP in a secondary setting.

Experience of working with volunteers

Experience of facilitating meetings

Flexibility – an amount of evening/weekend work will be required

Own transport and full clean driving license

High level of computer literacy; proficiency in the use of MS Office applications, social media (e.g. Facebook) and video conferencing (e.g. Zoom/Teams)

Excellent written and oral communication skills with the ability to present complex information in an accessible manner for a variety of audiences

Excellent interpersonal skills

Self-motivated; high level of initiative and ability to work with minimal supervision

Excellent organisational skills, ability to prioritise own workload and work to tight deadlines

Ability to work as part of a team

Experience of developing, running and analysing questionnaires

A non-judgemental attitude

Desirable knowledge and skills

Experience of working with community groups

Knowledge of community languages

Experience of recruiting and managing volunteers

SPCF is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.