JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE: Advice and Support Worker

LOCATION:Age UK Newcastle Head Office / Community

RESPONSIBLE TO: Advice and Support Manager

GRADE:£16,054 - £18,453

HOURS: 35 hours per week

  1. Purpose of the post

a)To provide a person-centred response to all new referrals into the organisation and to help individuals to explore, choose and put in place innovative support to improve their health and wellbeing.

b)To provide information and advice to older people, their family and/or carers about opportunities available which will enable them to remain independent, be involved in their communities and experience an active and fulfilling later life.

  1. Duties and Responsibilities

a)Using person-centred planning tools, provide a person-centred Support Planning service for customers, identifying potential options and support, including creative and innovative ways they could access/enhance/ put in place appropriate support.

b)Work with customers to realise their goals, enabling them to make choices and be proactive in their decisions wherever possible.

c)To offer confidential and independent advice and support to older people, their carers and families across a range of issues including money and benefits advice, housing options and health/social care.

d)To research and provide information about local services, networks and activities, community resources and opportunities for customers.

e)Develop a database of community activities and services which is accessible to the team and the wider organisation and contribute to ‘gap analysis’ work to enable opportunities for new services to be identified.

f)Support volunteers within the service and develop a volunteer ‘buddy’ system for customers who need some time limited practical support.

g)Keep up to date case records, enter data into relevant monitoring systems and provide case monitoring reports as requested.

Other

a)To work within the policies and procedures of Age UK Newcastle and apply consistent principles of diversity and equal opportunities throughout the work of the organisation

b)To undertake general administrative support as required.

c)To undertake any duties as may reasonably be required

d)The successful candidate will need to have or complete a DBS check as a requirement of the role

PERSON SPECIFICATION

ESSENTIAL / DESIRABLE
EXPERIENCE /
  • Experience of working with older people in advice work, care management, support planning or other relevant experience.

SKILLS & ATTRIBUTES /
  • The ability to communicate effectively with customers, staff and volunteers and other professionals.
  • Excellent organisational skills and the ability to prioritise and manage case work within timescales.
  • Able to work alone and self manage work schedule.
  • Experience of dealing with confidentiality.
  • Confident IT skills.
  • Commitment to providing equality of opportunity for all individuals; valuing diversity, promoting equality and challenging discrimination.

KNOWLEDGE & OTHER /
  • An understanding and empathy with the needs and aspirations of older people.
  • Commitment and understanding of equal opportunities.
/
  • An understanding of relevant legislation and requirements.
  • Knowledge of Older People’s services and opportunities in Newcastle.

QUALIFICATIONS /
  • A willingness to continue professional development.
/
  • NVQ Health and Social Care

SUMMARY TO TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Post:Advice and Support Worker

Salary:£16,054 - £18,453 pro rata

Hours of Work:35 hours per week

Contract:Permanent

Working Base:Age UK Newcastle Head Office/Community

Holiday Entitlement:24 working days of holiday pro rata (excluding bank holidays)

Superannuation:The Pension Trust Money Purchase Plan is available to all employees

Sickness Pay:All employees who are sick are entitled to benefit from the employer’s sick pay scheme

Completed Application

Forms to be returned to:Age UK Newcastle

Hadrian House, Higham Place

Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 8AF

Closing Date for

applications:Monday 18th January 2016, 5pm

Interview date:29th January 2016

PLEASE DO NOT ENCLOSE A CV
ALL APPLICATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED ON THE ENCLOSED APPLICATION FORM