CARERS’ INFORMATION SERVICE – ADVICE WORKER

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title: Advice Worker

Reports To: Advice Services Co-ordinator

Location: Carers’ Information Service, Carers Support Centre, 24 George Street, Croydon CR0 1PB

Hours of Work: 35 hours per week

Salary: c£22-£23,000 pa

Duration of Contract: Fixed term contract until March 31 2015

Main Purpose

The role of the Advice Worker is to provide advice, information and support to carers who are looking after a family member or friend who needs help due to illness or disability. The post-holder will be based alongside another full-time Advice Workerand a part-time (temporary) Researcher, in the reception/office ofour newly opened Carers Support Centre, which is currently open to the public to “drop-in” Monday to Friday, 10am-4pm.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

  1. In partnership with our existing Advice Worker, provide a friendly and efficient welcome to any visitors to the Carers Support Centreand ensure that appropriate visitors are directed to the right person or service within the building and re-direct members of the public to alternative services where necessary.
  1. Liaise with other members of staff (based in, or using the building) in person, over the internal phone system and via email.
  1. Respond to enquiries fromcarers, professionals and members of the public who come into the Carers Support Centre, during our “drop-in” opening times.
  1. Ensure that carers’ needs are effectively assessed in order to give information and advice about any aspect of caring and refer or signpost carers to relevant organisations/services, both locally and nationally.
  1. Undertake basic benefits checks and refer to other local specialists in the field for specialist advice/form completion.
  1. Where necessary, provide a casework style of supportto individual carers who need more in-depth assistance with issues that are affecting them.
  1. Be available to answer enquiries from carerswho are using our café sessions.
  1. Prepare carers’ information packs, which could include photocopying, labelling and compiling factsheets.
  1. Maintain electronic and paper case files in accordance with Carers’ Information Service policy.
  1. Use our bespoke database to log enquiries and add or maintain records of carers and professionals.
  1. Issue Carers Support Centre membership cards.
  1. Work closely with the two other members of staff based in the Carers Support Centre office: full-time Advice Worker andpart-time Researcher.
  1. Keep up to date with relevant legislation, policies and practice in areas affecting carers and those they care for, thus ensuring that our information and advice giving service is accurate.
  1. Liaise and develop working relationships with professionals from other agencies to promote good inter-agency networking.
  1. Give information and advice to carers and professionals at annual events such as Carers Rights Day and Carers Week.
  1. Work closely with the Carers’ Information Service team to develop our work in accordance with our aims and objectives.
  1. Undertake any training and development required.
  1. Undertake any other duties and responsibilities as determined by the Advice Services Co-ordinator and the Carers’ Information Service Manager.
  1. Comply with the policies and procedures of the Carers’ Information Service and the Whitgift Foundation.

The Carers’ Information Service is committed to a policy of equal access to employment and provision of its services regardless of race, religious or political beliefs, ethnic or national origin, culture, gender, sexuality, age or disability.

The very nature of the Foundation’s work necessitates a high degree of confidentiality. Therefore, you will be expected to meet that requirement, by maintaining confidentiality regarding all aspects of the Carers’ Information Service, and Foundation business, whether in or out of work, in accordance with the Data Protection Act and The Foundation’s policies.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) (as amended) and appointment is subject to satisfactory outcome of an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) (check of all criminal records).

The Whitgift Foundation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff to share this commitment.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

As a Carers Advice Worker, you will be giving free, impartial and confidential advice to carers on a wide range of issues. The person appointed will be expected to have the key skills, knowledge and experience listed below.

Key Criteria
Qualifications / Good level of education and related qualifications
Experience / Previous experience (gained in a voluntary, personal or paid capacity) of working with carers and/or people with a disability, illness or frailty
Experience of giving information and advice
Experience of working in an office environment
Experience of working with a wide range of people
Skills and Knowledge / Excellent written skills
Excellent inter-personal skills, including the ability to communicate effectively and to establish relationships with a wide range of people
Effective organisational and administrative skills, e.g. diary planning, record keeping, managing and setting priorities
Computer literate
Good telephone manner
Experience of working in a team as well as on own initiative
Knowledge and understanding of the issues facing carers and those they are caring for
Knowledge of the entitlements and services available to carers e.g. welfare benefits and grants, health, education and social care services
Knowledge of the work of relevant services such as the local authority, the voluntary sector and health providers
Awareness of current initiatives and legislation relevant to carers
An understanding of equal opportunities, confidentiality, data protection and safeguarding issues
Personal Qualities / Confident, friendly and outgoing
Smart and well presented
Flexible and adaptable
Efficient and well organised
Self-motivated and able to use initiative
Able to deal with difficult situations and to stay calm when under pressure
To be polite and courteous, but firm when dealing with challenging visitors

Hours of work – normally be 9am – 5pm with 1 hour (unpaid) for lunch; some occasional evening and weekend work may be required to support activities of the centre as they develop

As an employee by the Whitgift Foundation, the employment benefits are:

  • 25 days holiday
  • Membership of a Group Personal Pension plan, which the Whitgift Foundation double matches your contributions to a maximum of 10% and provides 3 x salary life assurance cover
  • Membership of Simply Health Cash Plan, which gives access to up to £670 per annum towards medical, optical and dental costs and a free 24 hour advice line
  • Access to an Employee Discount Club which offers discounts on a range of products and services including insurance, holidays and travel, fashion and retail

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