Facilitator for Independent Travel Training

Ability West

  • Galway
  • Contract
  • Full-time
  • 14 days ago
1 year fixed term contract. 39 hours per week.Ability West provides a wide range of high-quality services to children and adults with intellectual disabilities and autism across Galway City and County. Services provided are day, residential, short breaks, community supports, rehabilitative training and multi-disciplinary supports. The ethos of service provision is underpinned by our Vision, Mission, Core Values and Strategic Plan, which is to empower people with disabilities to live self-directed lives in an equal and inclusive society. Each person is supported and valued within an environment which promotes their overall autonomy, health and wellbeing and enables them to reach their potential.The purpose of this role is to provide one-to-one travel education and training for adults with an intellectual disability who attend Ability West services. The goal is to support individuals to use public transport independently to travel from their home to their designated Day Service. This work will be carried out in line with Ability West’s policies, procedures, guidelines, and Safety Statement.Overview of role:To empower and support adults to travel independently from their home to their designated day service, promoting autonomy, confidence, and active citizenship.This includes:
  • Assessing individual travel needs and capabilities.
  • Collaborating with families, carers, and the MDT to develop safe and achievable travel plans.
  • Building confidence through travel training, route planning, and gradual exposure.
  • Working with community partners (e.g. transport providers, local services) to remove barriers to independent travel.
  • Monitoring progress and adapting support as needed to maintain safety and independence.
  • Ensure the people we support’s individual plans are in line with New Directions policy.
Key duties:
  • Provide one-to-one independent travel training on local bus and train routes.
  • Work in a Person-centred manner and ensure sufficient planning to enable safe and sustainable travel.
  • Provide Route-specific safety training and practical support.
  • Promote Confidence building and community integration.
  • Conducting meet-and-greet sessions to assess support needs.
  • Working flexibly around the service user’s pace and learning style.
  • Monitoring progress and adjusting plans to suit individual needs.
  • Promoting long-term independent travel rather than one-off assistance.
  • Ensure that people we support individual plans are in line with New Directions policy.
  • Work positively and constructively with people we support who present with behaviours that challenge, and to be involved in the planning and implementation of specific approaches and programmes designed for these people we support.
  • Work as part of a team where duties interrelate and overlap.
  • Monitor and discuss service users progress with the people we support’s, family and professional staff attached to the centre.
  • Keep records and reports as may be required by the Day Services Manager and in line with Ability West’s policies and procedures.
  • Attend family meetings, staff meetings, and case reviews as required.
  • Take responsibility for service delivery to a number of people we support within the workplace and to act as part of the key-worker system in consultation with the Day Services Manager.
  • Maintain high safety standards and ensure that all safety regulations are complied with. Implement and be familiar with the appropriate procedures in relation to the health and safety of people we support, staff, and visitors as contained in the Ability West’s Safety Statement.
  • Administration, supervision and recording of prescribed medication.
  • Undertake transport duties.
  • Take part in relevant community activities as deemed suitable for people we support development.
  • Participate in IT initiatives including Core HR, Personal Development Planning (PDP), Performance Management System in line with the Ability West policy, or any other system.
  • Undertake relevant training courses, both in house and external, as may be required to develop the necessary skills to meet people we support and organisational needs.
  • Work in any of Ability West’s centres as assigned by management.
The list of key duties is not exhaustive.Essential Criteria:
  • Level 8 qualification in Teaching / Nursing / Applied Social Studies / Social Care / Psychology / Behaviour Analysis.
  • OR
  • Level 7 relevant studies for role and minimum 4 years’ experience working with people with intellectual disabilities including autism.
  • Experience and working knowledge of New Directions Framework.
  • Experience in leading a team in the development and implementation of person-centred planning framework.
  • Supervisory ability/capability in the management of staff and people supported by the services.
  • Previous experience working with people with an intellectual disability or a similar field.
  • Full current driving license.
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
  • Strong problem-solving skills.
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
  • Motivated, energetic, and enthusiastic personality.
  • An ability to advocate on behalf of people we support.
  • Good working knowledge of local transport routes
  • Genuine respect and empathy for diversity and individuality.
  • Flexible, responsible, and mature approach to work.
  • Creativity (e.g., in using community resources, problem solving, dealing with people we support needs).
  • Professional, accountable, good planning and time management skills.
  • Exceptional organisational and communication skills.

Ability West