Working with an Access Support Worker #1: job description

accessstructure
Written By F W

Starting my DYCP, I have never worked with an Access Support Worker before and I didn’t know a) what to ask for help with, and b) how to find someone to work with, and set up the working relationship. Here’s an account of how it went for me.

Job description

I got help to create a job description from the person I worked with for Access Support for my DYCP application. I based it on other people’s JDs which I saw online, and changed the fields and descriptive part to fit my needs. This is the structure I used which can be pasted as a template:

ACCESS SUPPORT WORKER: [artist name] 

Pay and timescales: 

X total fee
Broken down as: X per hour for X hours total
[dates and schedule of working] 

About me: 

Brief artist biog & any info about the project, or your needs that you want to share

What I’m looking for: (here is the actual text I used, replace this with your own)

  • Someone who can support and bring structure to the creative process

  • Knowledge of disability or neurodiversity access support roles & approaches

  • An understanding of neurodiversity

  • Good listener who is able to translate chat into action points

  • 'Zoomed out' view, able to prioritise tasks and ideas

  • Good at problem-solving & technical troubleshooting

  • Skilled with admin and basic software/online technical skills, ability to research 'how to' if needed

    List of duties:

  • Building structures that support me to grow my creative work, eg. access support meetings, time management, workflow and filing systems

  • Being a partner for 'verbal processing' - me talking through my ideas and what I need to get done, eg. 1hr Zoom sessions with note taking

  • Regular check in and setting priorities for next period of time

  • Supporting to set up regular admin structures eg. monthly accounting

  • Some admin & technical support and research tasks

Structure of work: 

eg. How many meetings per week, any time restrictions / requirements, how will the work be organised

Mode of working: 

eg. Remote or in person

Working language: 

Applicants of all backgrounds welcome. We can also discuss your needs in relation to the role and how the work is carried out. 

F W
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