Transition Support Officer

COMPANY DESCRIPTION

MINDS has been caring for Persons with Intellectual Disabilities (PWIDs) and their families since 1962.

Grounded in the belief that all PWIDs have innate abilities and talents, MINDS is committed to empowering them and enhancing their quality of life, while advocating for greater inclusivity for PWIDs as a nation.

MINDS is today one of the largest charities in Singapore employing more than 1200 staff. With the key focus to expand community-based services, improving the employability of PWIDS, strengthening education, and engendering inclusive community living, MINDS offers a holistic range of services and programmes across the PWIDs' lifespan.

These include schools, employment and training development centres, home-based care services and community-based services to cater to the physical, psychological, environmental and social needs of PWIDs. For more information, please visit www.minds.org.sg.

RESPONSIBILITIES

A Transition Support Officer is responsible for providing hands-on, practical support, training and guidance to clients who are going through transitions, be it from School to Community Hubs, from Community Hubs to Regional Hubs (or vice versa), from residential to community care (or vice versa). 

Based on respective MINDS Regional/Community Hubs, the TSO supports the Hub Manager in working with the multi-disciplinary team, consisting of Allied Health Professionals (AHPs), Training Officers (TOs), Vocational Coaches (VCs), Learning Support Trainers (LSTs), in developing and reviewing of the Individualized Development Plan (IDP). He or she will also work in collaboration with the Social Workers (SW), Care Coordinators (CCs) and TOs in engaging the caregivers periodically to train and transfer skills into the community or home environment as well as to update the caregivers on IDP progress.

The guiding principle for Transition Support should be holistic, i.e. person- and family-centric as much as possible, while keeping in mind the need to adapt accordingly when integrating client's IDP and actual transition situation.

IDP development, review and maintenance 

• Support the Hub Manager in the development, review and update of clients' IDP through a person-centred approach.

• Coordinate and participate in Transition Planning meetings, Case Reviews and IDP meetings for clients in collaboration with AHPs and relevant stakeholders.

• To ensure client makes progress on IDP goals and IDP goals are aligned to long term aspirations and interests of client.

• To work with Social Workers to engage selected clients and caregivers in discussion on transitions and training needs, as and when necessary.  

• To coordinate and participate in the family meetings to review OPP and longer-term person-centred goals.

Practical hands-on training and support for clients undergoing transition

• Carry out training and support outline on client's transition training needs at the relevant transition settings
• Document and keep records of client's training progress, adaptations made, etc.

Collaboration with multi-disciplinary AHP team, caregivers and community partners including volunteers in advocating for client's transition and overall development matters

• Work with relevant stakeholders to advocate for clients' transitional and developmental needs according to their IDP, looking at environmental, socio-emotional, and behavioural support factors. 

• Document and keep records of engagements, adaptations made with relevant stakeholders.

• Consolidate good person-centred practices, knowledge and experience to build a resource bank of person-centred practices and useful tools in collaborative practice, so as to keep other practitioners informed.

Review and evaluate the IDP of clients to ensure successful / sustainable person-centred development of clients over the lifespan.

• Conduct assessments of clients' transition and development needs as needed, and track progress through pre- and post-intervention assessments

• Work with stakeholders and multi-disciplinary team to revise and adapt IDP goals and strategies if outcome is not met, or to bring clients to higher level of functioning towards independence.

• Support Transition Coordinator to document and keep records of outcomes of clients' IDP and produce a consolidated report/dashboard on overall clients' IDP outcomes.

• Minimum Diploma in Social Work, Psychology, Community Services or other relevant fields with at least 2 years working experience.

• A strong team-player with excellent people skills.
• Possesses strong organisation skills, time management and problem-solving skills.
• Possesses strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to speak in one additional local language apart from English an advantage
• A self-motivated and adaptable individual.
• Ability to work well both independently & in a team with integrity, sensitivity, knowledge and drive to support & advocate for their clients with intellectual disability.
• Passion to work with people with intellectual disabilities.

Positions available at the following locations:

• Woodlands
• Hougang