Rotherham Parents Forum Limited (RPFL) is a charity that exists to support Rotherham families of young people with SEND, and neurodivergent adults. We are the home of Rotherham Parent Carers Forum, who through its Voice and Influence Work seek to create better outcomes for families of children with SEND through participation and co-production. Our Autism and ADHD Peer Support Service provides support for adults, young people, and their families around living with Autism and ADHD. RPFL also facilitates various support, guidance, counselling within its town centre premises.

Job Purpose
The Autism and ADHD Peer Support Service is funded by ‘South Yorkshire Integrated Care Board – Rotherham Place’ to support people with autism and/or ADHD and their families. We are looking for a peer support worker to primarily work with parents and carers of children and young people with autism and/or ADHD (diagnosed or on the pathway for assessment) and to offer emotional support, advice, and signposting on neurodivergent topics.
Main Duties and Responsibilities

To contribute to the delivery of a comprehensive, efficient, accessible service, offering support in
several ways to suit individuals, ensuring that high-quality standards are maintained, and
policies/procedures are always followed.

To carry out one-to-one consultation, providing emotional support, advice and guidance
to individuals who have been referred to the service in a person-centred way, considering preferred timing and communication methods, to ascertain strengths as well as areas of difficulty and enable them to develop their skills and make decisions for themselves about the future.

To agree personal action plans with individuals referred to the service based on the information and priorities they have expressed, and work with them to achieve their personalised outcomes.

To build and maintain a positive and professional relationship of trust
with individuals and understand the importance of empowering them.

To maintain accurate records of work undertaken with individuals around their support, and any other records as required by the service lead, this will include monitoring outcomes for individuals, producing action plans, measuring progress and actions taken at reviews.

To have a thorough knowledge of key services and organisations that are available to support families to be able to signpost to and ensure families are encouraged and motivated to access
them, offering different levels of support depending on individual circumstances.

To contribute to the development and facilitation of a wider service offer which may include group peer sessions, small group workshops on topical discussions, access to online support etc. to help individuals deal with common issues and challenges encountered by neurodivergent individuals and their families.

To meaningfully engage with people who are using the Peer Support Service and use the
organisation's feedback mechanisms to ensure evaluation of the service and its future development is informed through voice.

To attend and participate in team meetings and other team events

To establish and maintain effective working relationships with all partners and key organisations to deliver the service outcomes

To keep up to date with peer-reviewed evidence-based research, particularly on education, rights and the law, health, vulnerability, and social care, to inform your working practice.

To contribute to the marketing and engagement strategy for the service and recognise, highlight and share relevant good practice.

General
• Maintain a confidential, sensitive and discrete approach to personal, sensitive and organisational information

• Contribute to a culture of equality and demonstrate a commitment diversity, inclusion and to removing all forms of discrimination as a colleague and service provider

• Act within our stated values and comply with our policies and procedures

• Represent the organisation in a positive manner

• A flexible approach is required for the role, as additional duties commensurate with the role may occur from time to time. Please note that this service operates two evenings a week until 9pm, and working one evening will be required.

This job description is not necessarily an exhaustive list of duties but is intended to reflect a range of duties the post-holder will perform. The job description will be reviewed regularly and may be changed in the light of experience and in consultation with the post-holder.

Person Specification

Qualifications • GCSE or equivalent in Maths and English

Experience

• Experience of peer support with parents and carers of neurodivergent
children/young people

• Experience of building effective working relationships with a variety of people and
organisations

• Experience of working with people with a range of health and social care needs, in a
person-centred, respectful, non judgemental, and sensitive manner

• Knowledge and understanding of a neurodivergent affirming approach to
support

• Experience of using data collection systems and the ability to record information
appropriately and accurately


• Experience of organising and facilitating group peer support, such as training
events, meetings, and workshops

Knowledge

• Knowledge and understanding of evidence based research or willingness to learn

• Knowledge and commitment to Safeguarding principles and procedures

• Knowledge and commitment to confidentiality and Data Protection

• Knowledge of the Equality Act 2010

• Knowledge of advocacy or willingness to learn

• Knowledge of mental health issues and their impact on neurodivergent children and
young people.

• Knowledge of relevant legislation and policies such as the Equality Act 2010

• Understanding of working in the third sector

Skills

• Highly effective listening, verbal, and written communication skills with excellent
attention to detail

• Excellent IT skills, particularly around using office 365, and the ability to maintain timely
and accurate records.

• Ability to deal tactfully and sensitively with all enquiries

• Able to communicate effectively using a variety of different methods, i.e., email,
telephone, face to face through virtual technology

• Able to make decisions on a wide range of issues relating to own area of work and
where several options may exist

• Working with a diverse community

• Strong planning and organisational skills with the ability to work on own initiative,
prioritise work and meet tight deadlines

Personal Attributes

• Lived experience of Autism and/or ADHD

• You will need to undergo a successful DBS check for this role

• Dignity and Respect – promotes equality and treats all people fairly with dignity and
respect

• Ability to work flexibly as part of a small team

• Commitment to learning and development

General Requirements

• A positive, solution-focused attitude

• Ability to be assertive where necessary

• Ability to problem-solve, learn, and share learning

• Willingness to accept both regular management supervision and clinical supervision

• Able to work flexibly, including one evening a week until 9pm

• Able to travel to various locations across the borough within a reasonable timescale

Other

• A commitment to the core values and ethos of Rotherham Parent Forum Ltd which are
that we welcome and care, value and include, communicate and work in partnership