Dear Claire,
Where I work the disability officers have many different qualifications including main stream teaching, teaching using sign language, some have had a personal experience of a disability, nursing back ground (physical and mental health) and occupational therapy. The training we receive is ongoing and tailored to suit indiivudal needs depending on the job. For example one person where I work has specialist skills in working with people with visual impairment and also with people with aspergers. Her training has therefore focused on these areas.
Best Wishes
Helen Fee
(Exeter)
-----Original Message-----
From: Discussion list for disabled students and their support staff.
[mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Penny Georgiou
Sent: Tuesday, November 02, 2004 5:05 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: qualification / training
Dear Claire,
There are many qualities that are needed for these posts and it is not that easy to define them in advance. Each individual will intepret their role in their own way within the parametres set by the needs of the students who present for support (who instruct and train us!) as well as by the context and culture of the institution, prevailing government directives & so on...
-----Original Message-----
From: Discussion list for disabled students and their support staff. on behalf of claire ozel
Sent: Tue 02/11/2004 16:44
To: [log in to unmask]
Cc:
Subject: qualification / training
A question I was going to ask when I come to Britain in 10 days, but
we could be meeting the vice-chancellor before then, so I could do
with some info:
WHAT QUALIFICATIONS and EXPERIENCE ARE DISABILITY OFFICERS EXPECTED
TO HAVE, AND WHAT TRAINING DO THEY GET WHEN STARTING? If there is a
range in answers, all the better.
I'm asking because in the past I've been told that 'only someone with
a background in psychology could do this job'; but this was said by
someone who knows nothing about existing disability support programs.
What do your person specifications say? I don't need all the details,
but enough to disprove this narrow assumption - I presume you are not
all psychologists!
I would like to thank all of you who have given such prompt answers
and information concerning my visit to Manchester-London-Bristol.
I have decided that one quality for a disability support officer is
'pragmatic realism'. Is this true?
I have been very impressed with how this e-group works, and am looking
forward to meeting some of you soon.
Claire Ozel,
Ankara, Turkey.
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