Dear Applicant

Bank Carers Support Workers – Carers Network Westminster

Thank you for your interest in the above post. I have pleasure in enclosing the following details:

  • Summary of Conditions of Service
  • Job Description
  • Person Specification
  • Equal Opportunities Policy Statement
  • Guidance on Appeal Procedures

The closing date for applications is 5:00pm on 22nd August 2010. Please send a cv and covering letter in which the elements of the job description and person specification are addressed.

Applications will be reviewed and if eligible candidates will be invited to interviews on an ongoing basis.

If you have provided us with an email address you will be notified of the progress of your application via email. If you have not provided an email address we will only contact you if you have been shortlisted as eligible.

If you have any queries please contact me using the contact details at the bottom of this page.

I look forward to receiving your completed application.

Yours sincerely

Kerrie Smith

Chief Executive

Direct Dial: 0208 962 9461

Email:

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Summary of Conditions of Service

Post:Bank Carer Support Workers

Contract Term:Bank

Location:Westminster

Salary:£12-£14 per hour

Hours: Various

There will be no guaranteed minimum number of shifts.

Holidays:The amount of paid holiday you receive will be dependent upon the number of shifts that you work.

Sickness:You will not be paid for shifts in respect of which it has previously been agreed and arranged that you would carry out services for Carers Network Westminster but where you become unable to attend for work due to sickness or otherwise.

Carers Network Westminster

Job Description

Carers Support Worker

Objective: To provide a high quality support service which meets the individual needs of service users, particularly with regard to carers assessments.

Responsible to:Carer Support Co-ordinator

Key responsibilities:

(1) / Carrying out in house carers assessments.
(2) / Co-ordinate and maintaining the package of support including personally providing support and accessing and monitoring other resources, including:
  • advocating on behalf of service users with other agencies
  • welfare benefits advice and budgeting skills
  • accessing resources from statutory and voluntary agencies
  • support related to individuals needs

(3) / Provide information and consult service users about services provided; actively encourage service user participation through facilitation of service user meetings and other activities.
(4) / Implement procedures for service user selection and allocations in collaboration with the CNW team, including:
  • seeking referrals
  • interviewing and assessing prospective service users

(5) / To work effectively as a project member, including:
  • sharing information
  • taking on project wide responsibilities
  • providing cover for other project members
  • contributing to the development of the service
  • working agreed hours which may include evenings and some weekends

(6) / Develop effective and professional working relationships internally and externally promoting a positive image of the service and of CNW.
(7) / Plan and organise own work and follow office procedures and administrative systems, including keeping service user’s files up to date.
(8) / Meet key performance targets including Carers Assessments and service user-focused monitoring.
(9) / Keep your professional knowledge updated e.g. of legislation, welfare rights, procedures, resources available for service users.
Carers Network Westminster
Person Specification
Carers Support Worker
Professional Knowledge and Experience /
  • Experience of providing services for carers who support people with needs in one or more of the following areas:
  • Mental Health
  • Learning Disability
  • Physical Disability
  • Older Person’s needs
  • Understanding and identifying the support needs of vulnerable people suffering from mental ill health concerns.
  • Understanding of issues involved in supporting people in the community.
  • Ability to act independently & where & when to seek the support of other agencies.

Thinking style

Analysis and problem solving / Thinks analytically in a logical and systematic way to identify the cause of problems. Quickly identifies the key issues in complex situations. Generates practical solutions based on sound analysis with view to solving problems. Consistently makes the right decisions based on an evaluation of the options available and a careful balancing of priorities.
Business awareness / Understands CNW’s strategic goals and the environment in which CNW operates.
Structure / Takes a structured approach to organising work. Sets both long term goals and interim milestones and plans work to meet these. Continually reviews progress. Establishes well defined, but practical working procedures and administration systems.

Relationships with people

Self-portrayal / Establishes positive relationships with a variety of people, both internal and external to CNW. Builds a sense of identity and common purpose to achieve objectives. Encourages a team spirit. Puts forward arguments persuasively and is skilled in gaining agreement from others on issues. Adapts style according to the situation, using a range of influencing styles as appropriate. Shows a willingness to find a common ground but will not move from predetermined position.
Customer orientation / Demonstrates a strong commitment to meeting customer needs. Emphases the importance of delivering a high standard of service. Involves customers and other bodies in defining service requirements. Places high value on customer satisfaction.
Communication / Able to assess the needs of a situation and tailor communication accordingly. Is proactive about keeping colleagues informed about relevant developments.

Behaviours and emotions

Results orientation / Is proactive in taking responsibility for everyday problems and more major initiatives.
Acts for the benefit of CNW through being resourceful and taking the initiative. Is motivated by achieving measurable results. Sets clear targets and goals in all areas of work and puts in place systems for monitoring progress. Identifies the reasons for any shortfalls and ensures these are corrected. Perseveres to overcome obstacles, and instills a sense of determination in others. Is able to motivate him/herself when there is little involvement from above.
Resilience / Willingly takes on board the changing culture, and adopts own approach accordingly. Able to understand and appreciate different approaches and ideas, and then apply them in practical situations. Able to maintain effective performance while under pressure and keep emotions under control when faced with opposition.

Equal Opportunities at Carers Network Westminster

Carers Network Westminster has a history of being committed to equality of opportunity, both in the way in which it delivers its services to its customers and in the recruitment and employment of staff and has a full policy which reflects this. It regularly monitors both these areas to ensure that we are meeting the needs of our customers and staff and to enable us to take action where it appears that the needs are not being met. The following is an extract from the full policy which is available upon request.

Carers Network Westminster’s policy statement

Carers Network Westminster values diversity. In delivering quality services to carers we will treat all people fairly.

We aim to:

  • give the right service and same opportunities to everyone;
  • recruit, train and develop all our staff so they are competent to achieve our objectives;
  • apply our commitment to equal opportunities when we decide who serves on our board and committees.

All forms of harassment against or by a carer or employee will be dealt with promptly, firmly and sensitively.

Summary of equal opportunities in employment

Carers Network Westminster will:

  • seek to comply with the Race Relations, Sex and Disability Discrimination Codes of Practice in Employment;
  • within the framework of law and wherever practical aim to achieve and maintain a diverse workforce which reflects the population of the local communities in which CNW provides services;
  • ensure that our employment policies and management practices enable the retention of a diverse staff group:
  • recruit, develop and promote staff on the basis of a fair, objective and rigorous assessment of competence and potential;
  • expect staff to treat all customers and each other fairly and with respect;
  • provide diversity awareness training tailored to the needs of new staff, managers and ‘front line’ service providers;
  • monitor recruitment, promotion, training, study opportunities, and the staff profile by ethnic group, sex and disability to evaluate the diversity achieved;
  • inform all our staff that they are required to follow the equal opportunities policy at all times.

Guidance on Appeal Procedures

Carers Network Westminster operates an equal opportunities policy which aims to ensure that all job applicants and employees are treated fairly and equally regardless of sex, race, sexual orientation, disability, age or creed.

If, however, you feel that you have been unfairly treated because of your sex, race, disability, sexual orientation, age or creed, you must let us know.

Please put your complaint in writing to:

Kerrie Smith

Office 8

Beethoven Centre

London

W10 4JL

Please state clearly why you feel you have been discriminated against. Your complaint will be investigated and you will be informed of the results of the investigation.

Where there has been discrimination we will take action to ensure that a similar incident does not occur in the future. This would include barring a staff member from participation in interview panel, disciplinary action/or revising our current procedures and practices.

By drawing your complaint to our attention we will be able to monitor whether job applicants are happy with the way in which we conduct ourselves.

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