AGE UK WAKEFIELD DISTRICT

Job Description

Job Title: Support Worker – Connecting Care Team (Network Hubs)

Salary: £18,468pa - £9.60 per hour

Hours: 37hrs per week (full time)

Rota covering Mon-Fri 8.30am – 8.00pm

Sat-Sun 9.00am – 5.00pm

Location: based at either Civic Centre (Castleford), Bullenshaw House (Hemsworth) or Waterton House (Wakefield) with travel throughout the Wakefield District.

Responsible to: Operational Manager (Connecting Care)

Job Purpose: As part of the Connecting Care Team - providing support to older people through rapid response to crisis, early and preventative interventions that avoid unnecessary hospital or residential care admissions and enabling people to remain at home and to stay independent as long as possible.

Main Duties:

·  To attend a home visit and initial assessment of a client as part of a rapid response for immediate support, providing immediate practical support to ensure the client is stable and able to remain at home.

·  To give practical support to clients to settle them into their home after discharge from hospital.

·  To ensure that all clients referred to the service are assessed using an assessment tool (LEAF) and a self-directed personal plan is developed, implemented and reviewed ensuring that the service user achieves their desired outcomes.

·  To provide access to information, advice and advocacy support when appropriate.

·  To provide service users with information about services and activities to help them stay independent in the community.

·  To liaise with colleagues both within the Connecting Care Team and other agencies (VCS & Statutory) to ensure a co-ordinated approach to meeting the individual’s needs.

·  To ensure that older people are fully involved in action planning and informed about the provision they will receive.

·  To attend Multidisciplinary Team meetings where appropriate.

·  To collate quantitative and qualitative data and follow up information from service users.

·  To complete and maintain accurate records updating Age UK Wakefield District’s electronic database daily.

·  To build relationships with GP Practices within the District to work with vulnerable individuals.

·  To work with Connecting Care Team colleagues to promote the value of Connecting Care.

·  To carry out other tasks as may be required from time to time as agreed with the Line Manager.

·  To work as part of a team, or as an individual, in a range of community settings involving a good knowledge of Health & Safety and personal safety issues.

·  To report any immediate concerns to the Line Manager.

Personal Duties:

·  At all times to work in a manner that promotes dignity, respect and independence for older people.

·  To be aware of the value of volunteering activity within Age UK WD and to support and encourage volunteers in the workplace.

·  To be familiar with and act within staff responsibilities in line with the Organisation’s Policies and Procedures relating to Elder Abuse and Whistle Blowing.

·  To work within Age UK WD’s Policies and Procedures including Health & Safety, Confidentiality and Equality & Diversity.

·  With the Line Manager, develop clear obtainable objectives and monitor the outcome of these at regular intervals.

·  To identify and prioritise personal development needs and agree with the Line Manager how these should best be met to ensure the project objectives are achieved.

·  To be an active and committed member of Age UK WD, taking part in staff meetings, training and Organisation activities a deemed appropriate by the Line Manager.

·  At such times as required take on other appropriate responsibilities

Signed:…………………………………………… Date:…………………………………………..

(employee)

Signed:…………………………………………… Date:………………………………………….

(Chief Executive)

Age UK Wakefield District

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Support Worker - Connecting Care Team (Network Hubs)

Attribute / Essential / Desirable
Qualification / Good standard of education. / Preferably NVQ care level 2 or equivalent.
Experience / Experience of working in a supportive environment.
Evidence of encouraging others to maintain independent lifestyles.
Experience of working with partner Organisations.
Understanding of the Voluntary and Community Sector. / Experience of working with and for older people.
Understanding of services and activities for older people.
Experience of working with Health and Social Care Professionals.
Skills / To be mobile in being able to carry out physical tasks within the job.
Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in written form, using the English language and able to produce accurate, factual, legible and clear reports.
Ability to work as part of a multidisciplinary team.
Ability to use own initiative.
Ability to work with and for older people.
Ability to work to agreed action plans.
Good IT skills.
To keep accurate records and reports.
Ability to maintain confidentiality.
Good interpersonal and communication skills. / Confident of taking responsibilities within agreed boundaries.
Knowledge / Issues affecting vulnerable older people living in the community.
A good understanding of services within Health and Social Care remit.
Awareness of a community.
Approach to service delivery. / Issues affecting older people.
A good understanding of monitoring and evaluation systems.
Good understanding of services within the voluntary sector.
Personal / Willingness to follow food hygiene and health & safety standards.
Reliability.
An open minded approach to individuals, avoiding judgement and stereotyping.
Commitment to Equality and Diversity.
Willingness to attend training.
Ability to work in a non-judgemental manner. / Experience of working alongside volunteers.
Special Circumstances / Essential car user.
To travel across the Wakefield district.
Ability to work flexible if required.
Satisfactory DBS checks.

Disability: Age UK WD intends not to discriminate against disabled people. All successful applicants will be asked to complete a Health Questionnaire in order to meet employee health needs.

Support Worker – Connecting Care Team (Network Hubs) Page 1 of 4

DH/AM/JH March 2016