Academy Guide Mobility Specialist - Atherton

Job Description

Charity People are so pleased to be working in partnership with Guide Dogs, to find new Academy Guide Mobility Specialists (A-GDMS) who will provide specialist advice and support to Guide Dog service users. Guide Dogs is a leading, national organisation that provide support and services to enhance the lives of people who are blind and partially sighted, including breeding and training guide and companion dogs. Their ambition is to have a future where every personwith sight loss has the confidence and support, they need to live their lives to the full. As an A-GDMS, you will be responsible for learning to deliver partnership training in line with our ethical and person-centred approach, as well as carry out assessments for matching dogs and service users, design and implement individual training plans andwork closely with service users to develop their guide dog partnership skills. You will be key in ensuring service users become confident and skilled in their guide dog partnership. Once you have completed the learning and development programme, you will joinyour local team. This is not your normal 9 to 5 role, and no two days are the same, for example one day you may be in planning meetings, another day walking in the wind and rain training dogs, or you could be working with a service user working through challenges.You will be provided with all the knowledge and skills to understand how Guide Dog partnerships work, however ideally you will also have:* Practical experience of working with adults and young people, and/or with training animals. * Previously taught or mentored individuals or groups of people. * A good understanding of positive training approaches used in development of animal behaviour* Sound knowledge of the safe practice of working with vulnerable adults and children. Additionally, you will be empathetic and understanding of individuals needs, as well as demonstrate resilience working in a challenging environment and being flexible to change. It would be great if you have previous experience working with a range of stakeholders,including volunteers, but this is desirable and not essential.For more details on how to apply for this role, please visit https://charitypeople.uk/guidedogs. Closing Date: Sunday 1st August 2021Selection Process: The various stages will take place throughout August. Initial stages will be online and further details will be sent if you choose to apply. Final stages will be held on site, at either Atherton, Leamington Spa, Bristol or Forfar.Guide Dogs is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children, young people and adults at risk of harm with whom we work. We expect all our employees and volunteers to fully share this commitment. If successful in this role, you will berequired to complete a disclosure check. Charity People actively promotes equality, diversity and inclusion. We match charity needs with skills and experience of candidates, irrespective of age, disability (including hidden disabilities), gender, gender identity or gender reassignment, marriage andcivil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. We do this because we know greater diversity will lead to even greater results for the charities we work with.