City & Hackney Carers Centre

JOB DESCRIPTION

Male Carers Lead

Salary:NJC Scale 6

Hours of work:31.5 hours per week (£ 22,967 incl. ILW for 31.5 hours per week)

Fixed Term:Contract ends 31st March 2012

Holidays:5 weeks (pro rata)

Pension:The organisation will make a 5% contribution to a pension plan after completion of probationary period

Reports to:Director of Services

Based at:City & Hackney Carers Centre, 96-102 Springfield House, 5 Tyssen Street, London, E8 2LZ

JOB SUMMARY

Outline of the role

Leading a pilot project gathering and recording information about male carers, with an emphasis on those in employment, with the further objective of identifying a greater number of males who have a caring role and improving their overall health and wellbeing.

The project aims at gathering information and facts in cooperation and discussion with other organisations and to promote the service widely. This will then be followed by drawing up best practices in working with male carers.

ROLE SPECIFICS

Adhering to the tasks identified in the Service Specification as detailed by the funder:

Male Carers

  • Highlight issues faced by male carers in order to promote the service to carers and referrers
  • Identify and implement innovative methods of identifying male carers
  • Identify means of improving the health and wellbeing of male carers and develop services according to the findings
  • Promote healthy living such as exercise, nutritious diet and smoking cessation
  • Support the existing men’s support group whilst striving to increase numbers of attendees
  • Develop further groups for men
  • Liaise and work with health professionals in the promotion of improved health for male carers
  • Liaise with GP practices, leisure centres, community group leaders, faith groups and others to identify and ensure increased referral rates of male carers
  • Produce regular reports for funders, Board of Trustees, Chief Executive and line manager as required
  • Produce quarterly outcome based monitoring and evaluation or as required
  • Develop and implement policies and protocols relating to male carers

Male Carers in Employment

  • Liaise with HR departments in the London Borough of Hackney Council, City of London Corporation, the HomertonHospital and City & Hackney NHS to identify carers in their employ
  • Provide support to male carers identified in the workplace and establish a support group for men in employment
  • Develop and implement policies and protocols relating to male carers in employment
  • Report on the findings of the work carried out to identify carers in employment

Work in accordance with City & Hackney Carers Centre’s staff handbook, policies and procedures

  • Maintain confidentiality
  • Act at all times in a professional way
  • Participate in staff meetings and any other meetings as appropriate.
  • Take part in regular supervision and appraisal sessions with the line manager.
  • Take part in training and other development opportunities as agreed with the line manager.
  • Take part in Centre events and activities as required.
  • Carry out any other relevant duties as may be required by the line manager or Chief Executive.

WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

Internal: The postholder reports to the Director of Services with whom s/he liases on a regular basis. The postholder also works closely with all other staff members and volunteers.

External: The postholder will work closely with male carers and the people they care for as well as with the staff from the London Borough of Hackney Council, City of London Corporation, the HomertonHospital and City & Hackney NHS, and a wide range of other organisations and individuals.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

City & Hackney Carers Centre recognises that the needs of carers are paramount within the services that it offers. The Centre 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.

PERSON SPECIFICATION
Educational Qualifications
Q1) Educated to degree level (or equivalent) preferred or proven relevant experience
Essential experience, skills and knowledge
Skills
S1) Excellent inter-personal skills with the ability to work effectively with male carers from different backgrounds and communities
S2) Excellent communication skills
S3) Excellent listening skills
S4) Excellent writing skills (including policies and monitoring)
S5) Good administrative skills and the ability to manage own workload, including good computer skills (Microsoft Office or equivalent)
S6) The ability to learn quickly, and to process and present relevant information in a range of ways
S7) The ability to work creatively and to approach work in an innovative way
S8) The ability to draw information from clients to obtain the best possible assessment of their needs
Knowledge
K1) Knowledge of male carers issues, carers rights and entitlements
K2) An understanding of legislation and policy in relation to carers
K3) Knowledge of the health and social care issues relating to people living in a diverse community
K4) Knowledge of the health and social care issues relating to male carers
K5) An understanding of and commitment to the principles of confidentiality
Experience
E1) Experience of managing or assisting in the management of a new / pilot project
E2) Experience of developing or helping to develop a new project
E3) Experience in monitoring and reporting
E4) Experience in drawing up best practices
E5) Experience in developing policies
E6) Experience of using a variety of methods to provide support for people, including group support and one-to-one support
E7) Experience of working with (male) carers
Other essential attributes
O1) A pro-active attitude suiting the pilot status of the project (fact finding, engaging with carers and organisations, monitoring and policy drafting)
O2) The ability to work flexibly and in a responsive manner
O3) The ability to actively support and promote Equal Opportunities
O4) The ability to manage and prioritise own workload and meet agreed deadlines and targets
O5) The ability to work as part of a team as well as on own initiative
Desirable skills, experience and knowledge
D1) Experience of working in a multi cultural environment
D2) Experience of working in a social care setting
D3) A second language or signing skills

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JD - Male Carers Lead

Date: 10-05-2011