Job description
Job Title:VeteransCarers Support Co-ordinator
Employer: Improving Lives Plymouth
Responsible to:Caring for Carers Manager
Accountable to:Improving Lives Plymouth CEO
Work Location:Caring for Carers, 156 Mannamead Road, Plymouth, PL3 5QL
Salary: £19,390per annum for 35 hours per week, Monday to Friday
Contract:May 2017 initially to 31st March 2020 with potential to extend (Subject to commissioning contract)
This post is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service Check (DBS)
Full UK driving licence and own vehicle essential (a mileage allowance is paid)
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Job Purpose and Role:
The Combined Cornwall and Plymouth Veterans Support (CCPVS) Service is funded by the Ministry of Defence. We support veterans and their families to have the happiest and healthiest older age possible. Our partnership offers a holistic service that helps people get the health and social care support they need, increase their digital skills, reduce their energy costs and offer them opportunities to meet new people and learn new skills.
This service will specifically work with those who are caring for someone who is a veteran over the age of 65 or is a veteran over the age of 65 with a caring role.
For those caring for someone who is a veteran under the age of 65 the minimum age we can support is 18.
Key duties and responsibilities:
- To manage and prioritise carer referrals according to individual need, urgency and vulnerability and support adult carers with complex needs to access relevant information to support their needs and the needs of the person they care for, when appropriate.
- Provide direct advice, support and information, carry out statutory carers assessments, support plans and reviews with carers through face to face meetings (some of which may be at the carer’s home).
- To offer information, advice and support over the telephone.
- To maintain accurate, up to date client records, using CareFirst and Charity Log IT systems ensuring it conforms to the Data Protection Act and other legal and organisational requirements (including confidentiality and quality standard requirements).
- Establish an action plan for carers through utilising the Carers Outcome Star
- Support carers to access welfare entitlements
- Be fully conversant with Improving Lives Plymouth Lone Working Policy and procedures and to adopt safe working practices within the office environment and at carer home visits and offsite venues.
- Maintain accurate, timely and detailed records of all support work undertaken on database and/or other reporting systems as required
- Work in a positive and effective manner with other organisations and make referrals to appropriate services for carers on caseload as required.
- Establish, develop and maintain support groups for carers of veterans
- Take part in regular local social and community events and activities for carers (including Armed Forces Day, Carers week and Carers Rights Day)
- Develop written materials to support carers, veterans and professionals
- Establish develop and maintain relationships and networks with local Veteran organisations with the objective of maximising further support or services for veterans and their carers
- Work with the charities bid writer to identify and secure funding for additional services / carer community activities / events
- Work with identified local community to develop resilience and earlier identification of carers
- Commitment to organisational policies and procedures including continued professional development, protected characteristics, safeguarding etc
- Developing and delivering training and awareness to professionals and carers about the service and veterans support.
- Support the development and implementation of events and activities across the service, particularly for CCPVS
- Actively partake in any activities or events that may fall outside of normal working hours
- Proactive in identification and implementation of improvements to service delivery
- Participate in monthly supervisions in an open, constructive and transparent manner
- Work with your line manager to agree performance criteria with measurable outcomes, developing and updating an annual work plan and producing reports, statistics and case studies in order to meet agreed contractual targets required by funders and service managers.
- Provide information and regular updates for publication on website, social media and newsletter etc
- Attend meetings, events, activities and training as directed
- Support colleagues and other professionals in identifying and sharing appropriate sources of information, advice, benefits, equipment and services which carers can access, and updating shared resource information to reflect this.
- Actively support the development of, and participate in, publicity events and represent the Carers Service in a positive professional manner and to raise awareness of carers’ needs
This job description is not necessarily an exhaustive list of duties but is intended to reflect a range of duties the post-holder will perform. The job description will be reviewed regularly, including at annual appraisals, and may be changed in the light of the needs of the organisation and following consultation with the post-holder.
Person Specification
Experience
Understanding carers needs and issues
Understanding of veterans needs and issues
Working in a busy office environment
Experience of working within social care or health and wellbeing sectors and the ability to achieve positive outcomes for people who maybe experiencing high levels of stress and anxiety
Experience of facilitating groups and information sessions
Working with statutory, voluntary and community sector organisations
Skills
Essential
A positive, energetic and solution focussed approach
Good communication skills, including written, oral and listening skills.
Excellent IT Skills including the use of Microsoft Office, email and internet
Ability to keep accurate records
Ability to learn and take on new ideas
Well-developed organisational and time managementskills
Experience of balancing conflicting workload priorities
Ability to work independently and flexibly as part of a team
Ability to work in occasionally stressful situations
Ability to deal appropriately with confidential matters
Ability to empower others to make decisions and maintain wellbeing
Ability to maintain professional boundaries
Desirable
Level 3 Information, Advice and Guidance
At least two years’ experience of working in a similar role
Experience of partnership working and working with external organisations
A willingness to occasionally work flexibly to engage with service users outside of normal office hours to achieve positive outcomes
Has been employed in the past in the armed services
Knowledge of
Government legislation and the Issues that affect carers and veterans
Legislation and policy that affects service provision to carers
Organisations, nationally and locally that support carers and veterans
Qualifications
GSCE English and Maths at grade c or above, or equivalent
Good IT skills – word processing, databases, spreadsheets, outlook
Personal Attributes
Professional attitude and commitment to high quality carer focused services
The ability to prioritise workload and maintain a high level of accuracy when preparing and entering information.
Able to work on own initiative
Enthusiasm and good sense of humour
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