Dan Furmage

In my role as a Caseworker, effective communication and advocating on behalf of constituents of the MP are vital, allowing me to:

• Support concerns of constituents who contact their MP
• Listen without judgement to provide compassionate, empathetic case support.
• Engage with governmental departments, local authorities, services and other organisations to work towards an a effective resolution to constituents concerns
• Provide advice and guidance, and signpost to organisations, charities and services who might be able to help
• Work with colleagues to raise important concerns, campaigns and local issues in the Houses of Parliament

In my role as a SEND Information Development Officer I work effectively and communicate positively with parent carers, professionals and young people in order to:

• Develop, update and maintain Gloucestershire's Local Offer as part of the GlosFamilies Directory using Open Objects software to manage and update co-produced content where needed.
• Work closely with parent carer support groups to develop content on this platform.
• Oversee a co-produced newsletter Families in Partnership which aims to share important information with parent carers of children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
• Communicate effectively with parents, gather voice and feedback through meeting with parents 1-1 or at events around the county.
• Work cooperatively with different teams within Gloucestershire County Council teams and commissioners, NHS - ICB partners and other specialists to bring together helpful information for parent carers of children with SEND.
• Ensure the content meets the requirements set out in the SEND Code of Practice.
• Develop promotional material using Adobe software particularly InDesign and Premier Pro.

As a Supported Internship Co-ordinator I worked closely with Post 16 Provision, Employers and Young People with Special Education Needs and Disabilities to:

• Guide and support interns, families and colleges/post 16 provision as interns take their next steps towards employment in their final year of education.
• Chair steering groups and panels to ensure we monitor progress of Supported Interns as they access their work placements.
• Manage and support transitions into employment, vocational education and volunteering opportunities as interns finish their placements and leave education. Refer young people to supported employment services, when young people need longer to find a suitable outcome.

My role as an Education Link Advisor involved developing relationships with schools, colleges and other provisions providing support around aspirations in terms of employment. I also helped with developing workshops to support children and young people with special education needs to understand more about work. I supported young people and families with looking at options as they transition into post-16 education or their next steps towards employment.

This role involved working with adults with learning disabilities in their homes and communities to help develop independence skills. I worked closely with families and support organisations to ensure people had the right level of support and developed their personal independence. A key part of this role involved working as part of a Drop In Service, dealing with different issues relating to housing, benefits, appeals and support from a broad range of people as they came through the door.

My role involved supporting people within their homes, helping them to make meals and develop life skills. It also involved administering medication, writing Person Centred Plans and working with other organisations to help develop their independence.

• Used a person-centred approach to support people under section to move towards being supported in the community.
• Managed crises effectively, implementing de-escalation techniques when necessary.
• Administered medication and worked with health professionals to support service users to improve their health and wellbeing.
• Documented all actions taken accurately in patient records, ensuring transparency in care delivery.