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. 

Role: Instructor

Location: Galway City

Contract Available:  Permanent and Specific Contracts available (20, 30 & 35per week)

Closing Date for Applications: 22nd October 2024

Support the Senior Instructor to plan, implement and evaluate programmes in a variety of areas including, arts, crafts, social skills, woodwork, cookery, horticulture, contract work and home management depending on service users' preferences and ability.

Instruct on courses as required. These courses will include specific skills as well as social development, personal care and community integration.

Ensure that service users Person Centered Plans are in line with policy.

An ability to instruct service users in all programmes offered at Adult Day Centres. 

Full current driving license with access to your own vehicle. 

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 service users.

Provide, under direction, instruction in a variety of areas including, arts, crafts, social skills, woodwork, cookery, horticulture and independent living skills depending on service users' preferences and ability. 

Instruct on courses that will include specific skills as well as social development, personal care and community integration.

Work as part of a team where work may be of a flexible nature and duties interrelate and overlap. 

To establish and maintain relationships with service users that are based on respect and equality and that promotes their independence.

Work positively and constructively with service users who present with behaviours that challenge.

Use of person first language in verbal and written communication.  

Assist in monitoring and discussing service users progress with professional staff attached to the centre and to keep such records and reports as may be required by the Manager.

Participate fully in regular staff and planning meetings, case conferences, family meetings, etc. as requested by the Manager.

Supervise service users at break-times together with other staff and assist in leisure and extracurricular activities as required.

Support service users in training, work experience and employment opportunities at various locations as required.  

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 service users, staff, and visitors as contained in the Ability West's Safety Statement. 

Take responsibility for service delivery to a number of service users within the workplace and to act as part of the key-worker system in consultation with the Adult Day Services Manager and the Senior Instructors.  

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 service users, 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 service user 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 service user and organisational needs.

Work in any of Ability West's centres as assigned by management.