We are seeking an experienced and proactive Learning Disability Coordinator to lead a collaborative project focused on improving the health and wellbeing outcomes for adults with learning disabilities in Tower Hamlets. This role will be pivotal in increasing access to leisure facilities and health-promoting activities for residents with LD, ensuring they can fully participate in their community.
You will work closely with local health services, leisure providers, and community organisations to develop inclusive programmes, break down barriers to participation, and build capacity within the leisure sector.
This role will directly contribute to addressing health inequalities in the borough, supporting the key objectives of the Tower Hamlets Adults Learning Disability Strategy.
It’s an exciting opportunity to make a lasting impact on the lives of residents in Tower Hamlets by promoting inclusivity, health-equity, and social integration for people with learning disabilities.
Key Responsibilities:
To audit existing community provision for people with LD to identify gaps, needs, and opportunities.
Use the audit findings to develop and co-produce a programme of regular activities for people with LD across the 6 Tower Hamlets Be Well leisure centres (e.g. Walking, chair-based exercise, karate, boxing, accessible team sports and accessible gym sessions)
Engage and develop trust and relationships with LD services (e.g. day centres, supported living providers, outreach services etc.) and other relevant networks and organisations to promote access to the new offer.
Work with relevant partners to develop physical activity pathways for people with LD
Work closely with Public Health and Integrated Commissioning officers working in personalisation to further develop the use and pooling of Personal Health Budgets (PHB) for health and well-being activity and physical activity interventions.
Support with the delivery of the programme of activities when required
Support with leisure staff training and development.
Support interested service-users accessing training, volunteering, and employment opportunity within the leisure industry
Support with the project evaluation and the collection of relevant data to evidence impact and outcomes.
To coordinate the use of volunteers during the activity sessions at leisure centres
The development of network of LD friendly instructors & facilitators
Informed by the success of the Connecting Communities Summer programme, the coordinator will develop a network of LD friendly instructors and facilitators ready to deliver targeted health and well-being activities for residents with learning disabilities. Instructors will ensure that reasonable adjustments are made and will incorporate co-production and peer to peer support elements to their activities.
The Be Well Leisure staff will be encouraged to support the delivery of these sessions to support capacity building within leisure services when working with people with LD. As the use of PHB develops they will also be able to develop additional sessions to meet the needs and request of service-users.
Access to the Be Well Leisure facilities
The coordinator will have and use ‘three protected weekly hours’ to plan the programme of tailored activities using various spaces (e.g. studios, sport halls) to offer a variety of sessions.
The activities will be promoted and advertised to all LD providers for them to actively encourage and support regular access amongst their service users. Having these protected hours will allow people with LD to access the premises free of charge. As the use of PHB develops, more sessions or activities might be developed outside of these protected hours.
Requirements
Essential Criteria
Essential Qualifications:
* A relevant qualification in health, social care, or community development (e.g., NVQ Level 3 or above, or equivalent experience in a similar role).
* Knowledge and understanding of learning disabilities and related health and social care needs.
* Knowledge of health and wellbeing programmes and inclusive leisure provision for individuals with LD.
Experience:
* Proven experience of coordinating and managing projects, especially in community-based or health-related settings.
* Experience in engaging and working with individuals with learning disabilities.
* Experience in building and maintaining effective partnerships with a variety of stakeholders including health services, local authorities, and community organisations.
* Experience of delivering or supporting the delivery of group activities and events.
Skills and Abilities:
* Strong project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, timelines, and resources effectively.
* Ability to co-produce and develop accessible, tailored activities that meet the needs of people with LD.
* Excellent communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders, including individuals with LD, service providers, and partner organisations.
* Strong relationship-building and networking skills, with a proven ability to foster collaborative working relationships.
* Ability to work independently, take initiative, and solve problems creatively within a fast-paced environment.
* Capacity for inclusive leadership, supporting and motivating teams and stakeholders to achieve common goals.
* Strong IT and data management skills, with the ability to track and report on project progress and outcomes.
* Experience of coordinating support staff and/or volunteers
Knowledge:
* Knowledge of the local context and challenges related to learning disabilities, health inequalities, and access to services in Tower Hamlets.
* An understanding of the social determinants of health and how they impact the wellbeing of individuals with learning disabilities.
* Awareness of relevant local health strategies and policies, including the Tower Hamlets Adults Learning Disability Strategy and the Health Promoting Leisure Theory of Change.
* Knowledge of community engagement, co-production, and participatory approaches in service delivery.
Personal Attributes:
* A proactive and adaptable individual who thrives in a collaborative and dynamic environment.
* A strong commitment to promoting health equity, inclusion, and social justice for people with learning disabilities.
* A compassionate and empathetic approach to working with individuals from diverse backgrounds and experiences.
* Ability to foster a positive, respectful, and supportive environment for service-users and stakeholders alike.
* Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to remain calm and focused in challenging situations.
* Passion for improving the health and wellbeing of people with learning disabilities and promoting their full participation in community life.
Desirable:
* Experience working within a local government or health commissioning setting.
* First aid or safeguarding training (desirable but not essential).
* Fluency in additional languages relevant to the Tower Hamlets community (desirable but not essential)
* Knowledge of personal health budgets (PHB)
* Experience of working with leisure services or in a related health promotion or physical activity setting.
* Experience in developing and/or supporting staff training, particularly in relation to inclusion and accessibility in leisure or health services.
* Experience of supporting people with LD to access volunteering, training, and employment opportunities.