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Placement In, Lima, Peru

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Job Title: Centre Administrator / Social Assistant

 

Duration: Minimum 6 Months, Ideally 12 Months

Employer: Peru Children's Charity

 

Country: Lima, Peru

 

 

Organisational Background

Peru Childrens Charity was established 6 years ago. It is a voluntary organisation which was established in Ireland by a retired business man Michael Murphy whom following a visit in 2004 was self motivated to empower the people of las lomas to reduce the poverty cycle, Peru Children's Charity are a group of co workers who work on a voluntary basis fund raising in Ireland and completing administration work while having the accounts frequently audited. The charity aims to empower families to reduce the cycle of poverty through training, employment and education relating to health and hygiene. The charity's key strategy is working in partnership with the people of Las Lomas. To date the charity has built (in partnership with families) 24 starter homes

• 18 community dining rooms (which are also family support centres)
• 4 kinder gardens
• A Therapy centre which supports children and adolescents with medication and other health visits

To date the people of Las Lomas have met approximately 30 co workers, some who have gone out on more that one occasion and are going back to commence work on the therapy centre in May 2010.

 

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

 

Three years ago Peru Children's Charity built and established a therapy centre for children and adults with physical and intellectual disabilities. The need for this service has grown to a large scale over the last three years. At the begining there were eight children attending the centre, now there are 30. As the needs are now much greater, Peru Children's Charity will commence construction on a new purpose built therapy centre late May 2010, which will be built around the needs of those in attendance. Therefore it will be the role of the Centre Administrator / Social Assistant to:

 

• Develop relationships with all children and adolescents in the centre and their families and significant others.
• Work in partnership with Peru Children's Charity and the staff team in the centre ensuring policies and procedures are followed and best practice is used at all times.
• Gather baseline data on the needs and capacities of all individuals and to draw up and review care plans to ensure each individuals needs are met.
• Maintain records and reports including care plans, activities, family visits and reports on any therapies used such as speech and language and physiotherapy.
• Draw up a work schedule for staff and a timetable for each individual so that each child or adolescent knows what to expect on a daily basis and develops a routine.
• Regular staff supervision meetings and team meetings and documenting same.
• Working with families is also a vital part to ensure "Specialist" appointments are kept and to assess the needs in improving the living conditions in the family home of each individual. Specialist therapists hold clinics in the centre at intervals. The job will necessitate lots of visits to the families of the clients, to support them in caring for the child / young person. Organising and documenting family support meetings on a regular basis.
• Liaise with senior management regarding the progress of the individuals in the centre, to share information and to obtain support from management.
• The volunteer will work with the other staff members in the Centre.
• Presently there are 4 other staff and 2 occupational Therapists (Third year students)

 

Volunteer Profile

Qualifications and or work experience required.

• A Social Science, Psycology, Community Development, Nursing or Therapist background is required.
• A basic knowledge of spanish is essential, a course can be provided if necessary. For important appointments or meetings an interperator can be arranged.

 

Work experience in some of the following areas is essential;

• Previous experience of working with children and or adults with disabilities
• Experience of working with families and other key areas such as physiotherapy, speech and language.
• Report writing and completing records and care plans
• Reviewing and evaluating care plans
• Initiating and participating in frequent staff meetings
• Ability to work in a loosely constructed environment

The Candidate must also be very focused and driven to ensure that each individual in their care has the best possible quality of day service and ensure their needs are met through regular reviews and best practice.

There will also be support available from one of the co workers in Ireland who has ten years experience in the disability sector. This support will take place via email or skype.

 

Placement Location:

The Therapy Centre is located in Las Lomas de Carabayllo, a shanty town in the north of Lima, about 15 miles from the city centre. The area has a population of 50,000 and is poorly serviced, no running water or sewerage and part of the area has no electricity.

The houses are mainly constructed of mud bricks with plastic or galvanised roofs. Some are just huts built of plastic and bamboo weave sheets. A small number of houses are built with concrete and bricks.

There are some small shops serving the area and a recently constructed health centre.

There is a thriving town, Puenta Piedra about 5 miles from Las Lomas with a shopping centre and other modern facilities.

The population generally are very appreciative of the work being undertaken by Peru Children's Charity. It is a very friendly area to work in, and the locals really appreciate the Charity's ethos of working in partnership.

 

Accomodation:

The volunteer would have the option to reside in the area with a local family or in Puenta Piedra where they could rent a self contained flat and commute by bus. The charity will source the accomodation.