Job Description

Title:Visiting Assistant - Supporting People

Location:Based at Sun Alliance House, 166-167 St Helen’s Road, Swansea

to cover City & County of Swansea

Hours:30 hours per week, Monday to Friday 10.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m.

The post is until 31 March 2013in the first instance

Salary:£13,457 p.a. pro rata (£11,535 p.a. actual). With a contributory pension scheme, 5% Employer - 5% Employee after 3 months service

Annual Leave:26 days pro rata and customary bank holidays

Travel Expenses:45p per mile plus 5p per passenger

Reporting to:Supporting People Manager

Closing Date for

Applications:22 June 2012 (12 noon)

Interview Date:4 July 2012

If you have not been offered an interview by this date please accept you have not been successful this time.
Must be a car owner driver

The post is subject to a probationary period of 6 months and the successful applicant will be subject to an enhanced C.R.B. disclosure.

If this contract is terminated by yourself before the expiry of the probationary period, the cost of the CRB will be deducted from your final monthly pay.

The ethos/culture of the organisation is:

  1. We work together as a team, helpful with friendly support to our colleagues and volunteers.
  2. The Client’s needs are paramount - we always listen and pass on to line-managers any issues or concerns.
  3. Our services are constantly evolving - often as ‘a pilot’ - therefore we expect staff to identify any unmet need on their reports and to ensure any gaps in services or opportunities to develop are given to line-managers.
  4. We work closely with other providers/partners and any issues must be passed on.

Please visit our Website or our Centre to understand our work before your interview.

Purpose of the post

The post holder will provide low-level practical and emotional support to older persons within the City and County of Swansea who are identified as requiring support in order to maintain them in their own homes for as long as possible.

Main responsibilities and duties

1.To visit the client in their home as agreed in advance.

  1. To provide practical and emotional support to the client in line with their assessment of need as detailed in their Support Plan.
  2. To work as part of a team, supporting clients, liaising with volunteers and providing a flexible service.
  3. To assist the client in obtaining help to maintain the safety and security of their home.
  4. To ensure the client maximise their income through referrals to our Welfare Benefits Team.
  5. To help the client develop appropriate life skills on a range of topics including food preparation and storage.
  6. To provide agreed levels of referral support that may also include shopping/errand running and providing assistance to enablethe client to clean their home.
  7. To help the client access professional help and the support of others who can contribute to their sense of well being and independence whilst securing their tenancy.
  8. To provide advice, encouragement and practical help that will help build the clients confidence and self-esteem enabling them to secure their tenancy and develop their independence.
  9. To preserve the dignity and confidentiality of the client, showing respect for the client whatever the circumstances.
  10. To assist at social events in conjunction with the client that will assist in reducing their sense of isolation, increase social integration, improve life skills and encourage them to participate in local community activities as appropriate.
  11. To complete documentation required as part of the service.
  12. To record details of visits on Charitylog including outcomes.
  13. To report to the Line Manager any changes in the client’s condition or circumstances, or about any other matter of concern.
  14. To take appropriate action in the event of any accident, incident and emergency and to notify the Line Manager promptly of any problems that arose in the delivery of the agreed support.
  15. To be aware of and comply with all relevant Health and Safety legislation.
  16. To act in accordance with the policies and procedures of the organisation.
  17. To participate in supervision, appraisal, training sessions and monthly support meetings to ensure that standards are constantly monitored and improved upon.
  18. To work in harmony with any other services being provided to the client.
  19. To undertake any other duties as requested including attendance at occasional out-of-hours events.

This job description is subject to amendment at the discretion of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer. These will be notified to you, giving you twelve weeks notice in writing.

All the above are subject to Age Cymru Swansea Bay receiving the necessary funding.

Person Specification

Visiting Assistant

Supporting People

The applicant will be expected to have experience or knowledge of the following.

Criteria / Essential / Desirable
Educational/Qualifications /
  • Good standard of education

Professional/Vocational /
  • NVQ2 or willingness to undertake NVQ2 and other relevant training

Experience /
  • Previous experience of working with older people
  • Previous experience of working with volunteers
  • Worked in a caring/support role

Skills/Ability/Knowledge /
  • A conscientious person who must be able to demonstrate capability of responding appropriately to a variety of needs from our client group
  • Excellent interpersonal skills for dealing with clients and colleagues
  • Ability to work on one’s own without direct supervision and as part of a team
  • Ability to use initiative appropriately
  • Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing
  • Good observation skills
  • Good Recording skills
  • Good liaison skills
  • A caring attitude
/
  • Knowledge of issues affecting older people
  • Ability to speak Welsh

Additional factors /
  • The ability to travel across an area using own transport
  • The ability to cope with changing situations and changes to routine
  • Commitment to equal opportunities, anti-discriminatory and anti-aggressive practice
  • Commitment to training and self-development

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