Jobs in Lenzie and Kirkintilloch South, East Dunbartonshire

Deafblind Scotland is the specialist charity working with adults who are living with dual sensory impairment or those who have a severe single sensory impairment and are at risk of a second sensory impairment, whether that is a sight or hearing loss. 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, develop vital communication skills and re-establish social connections.

Service Manager

This senior management position is the ideal opportunity for an experienced social care worker looking to progress their career to become a Registered Manager or an existing registered manager seeking a new challenge. The role will be focused on managing Deafblind Scotland’s Guide/communicator service provision and leading a team of 50+ guide/communicators. The Service Manager will hold Registered Manager position, complying with Care Inspectorate registration and upholding the Scottish Social Service Council and National Care Standards to ensure quality support is available to meet the needs of deafblind people and in line with requirements of funders and registered bodies.

Job Summary

The Service Manager will lead, direct and manage a well-established Guide/communicator service to ensure that deafblind people have the opportunity and support to make choices that enable them to lead a full life and promote wellbeing and that their rights are at the heart of all service developments and improvements.

The post holder will work with service users, external partners and linked providers and be responsible for all aspects of the specialist services provided, ensuring positive outcomes for deafblind people. The Service Manager will have wide ranging responsibilities for the performance and development of the Guide/communicator service. The post offers significant opportunities for innovation, development and growth, working closely with service users and providers and contributing to development of service provision regionally and nationally.

The post holder will also work as a member of the Leadership team and will support the development and implementation of the strategic and annual operational plans. The post holder will hold an important role in supporting the Senior Management Team with the overall management of Deafblind Scotland (DbS) and will work to ensure that Deafblind people are at the centre of all developments.

RESPONSIBLE TO: Head of Operations

ACCOUNTABLE TO: Senior Management Team

Deafblind Scotland is the specialist charity working with adults who are 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, develop vital communication skills and re-establish social connections.

We are seeking to recruit a motivated, enthusiastic and experienced person to develop learning, social and cultural activities, opportunities and programmes for deafblind people, using Deafblind Scotland’s Learning and Development centre as a local, regional and national resource and developing outreach hubs for deafblind people or those who have a severe single sensory impairment and are at risk of a second sensory impairment, whether that is a sight or hearing loss to access support and activities locally. In reaching out to more deafblind people across Scotland, and as we progress post-Covid, you will promote engagement through accessible technology, utilising online platforms for activities and supporting virtual connection for people. Therefore, recreating our Learning and Development Centre in a virtual form so that we create a virtual centre that will bring people together.

The post holder will design and promote programmes of activities and learning opportunities which address our key priorities and working in partnership with other services and agencies you will identify opportunities for raising awareness of both the rights and potential of deafblind people and encouraging the provision and co-ordination of a range of activities, services and support with focus on growing our peer leadership programmes and approaches.

This is a key role working alongside senior management to identify opportunities to achieve Deafblind Scotland’s vision and strategy and helping to implement and develop our mission of a society where deafblind people in Scotland can live as rightful members of their own community. Engaging at a local and national level to garner support, funding and interest for the development of these activities and learning opportunities.

Good written and report writing skills are essential as is the ability to work to tight timescales including the ability to prioritise tasks. It is desirable that you have a suitable social work, health, counselling, social care qualification or equivalent with experience of developing projects and achieving project objectives. Possession of British Sign Language skills is desirable, or a willingness to learn, and an enthusiasm to learn about deafblind people and their rights is essential.

RESPONSIBLE TO: Head of Operations

ACCOUNTABLE TO: Senior Management Team

BASE: Deafblind Scotland Learning & Development Centre, 1 Neasham Drive, Kirkintilloch