Job description: Carer Support Worker (Dementia Lead)

Location: Hammersmith and Fulhamand Westminster

Line Manager: Hammersmith and Fulham Service Manager

Salary: £24,000

Hours: 35 per week, to include some unsocial hours as required to meet the needs of carers

Holiday: 25 days plus bank holidays

Pension: 7% employer contribution

Closing date: Monday 23rd May, 9am

About this role

We are seeking an excellent candidate for the role of Carer Support Worker within oursmall, friendly and dynamic team working in diverse boroughs in central London.

The post holder will be responsible for providing carers with information and advice, signposting them to other services where appropriate. S/he will carry out carer assessments as well developing relationships with partner organisations to raise awareness of carers’ rights and the services available to carers. In particular, s/he will lead on supporting carers of people with dementia.

About Carers Network

Carers Network’s vision is thatevery unpaid carer is recognised and leads a health, fulfilling life with control over their caring role.

For more than 20 years we have been working with carers to provide information, advice, advocacy and support, along with social events, breaks and other services to ensure that carers are well informed, supported and healthy.We currently work with more than 3,000 carers in the London boroughs of Westminster and Hammersmith & Fulham.

Carers Network is a charity. We are an equal opportunity employer and service provider that recognises and celebrates diversity. We hold a quality mark from PQASSSO and Carers Trust, we are also a London Living wage employer.

Staff structure

Aims of the post

To improve support to carers living in the London Boroughsof Westminster (WCC) and Hammersmith and Fulham (LBHF) by:

  • providing direct information, advice and support to carers
  • working in partnership with Local Authority and NHS agencies and the voluntary and community sector in WCC and LBHF to increase the number of carers identified and improving recognition of their role
  • supporting and developing methods for carer involvement

Duties

  1. Identification and Recognition of Carers

1.1Input into Carers Network’s organisational policies and strategies, ensuring that they reflect the needs of carers.

1.2Work with partner organisations to ensure protocols are in place that help identify carers, particularly organisations working with people with dementia.

1.3Work with partner organisations to ensure the provision of effective first points of support such as drop-ins.

1.4Work with partner organisations and carers to develop training for professionals that improves the recognition of carers as partners in care and increases the appropriate support available to them, especially in relation to carer assessments.

  1. Information and Advice

2.1To collect and ensure the availability of information for carers at appropriate venues across WCC and LBHF including Carers Network premises.

2.2To provide information and signposting to carers by telephone and email.

2.3To provide information and advice to carers face-to-face at Carers Network and other suitable venues, signposting and referring onwards where appropriate.

2.4To make home visits as appropriate

  1. Supporting Carers

3.1To provide support to carers including:

  • Emotional support at times of crisis
  • Completing a carers assessment and support plan on their behalf
  • Help in raising their concerns about services where necessary

3.2Support and develop opportunities for peer support through social groups, coffee mornings etc.

3.3Facilitate carer support groups.

3.4Work with partner agencies, especially within primary care, to ensure that Carers health needs are more adequately addressed

3.5Supportinter-agency and Carers Network events as required

  1. Carer Involvement

4.1To support and develop the involvement of carers in the various relevant forums in WCC and LBHF

4.2Facilitate the involvement and consultation of carers via various consultation methods, events and newsletter

  1. Record-Keeping and Report-Writing

5.1To maintain files on individual work with carers in line with Carers Network’s policy.

5.2To contribute to reports for management and for funding and monitoring bodies

  1. Organisational and Professional Development

6.1To work as part of a multi-disciplinary team, to include regular attendance at team meetings.

6.2To attend and actively participate in regular supervision and annual appraisals.

6.3To undertake relevant training and staff development activities as required.

6.4To actively implement current policies and procedures, to contribute to their development to promote the efficient and effective running of the organisation.

  1. Additional Tasks

7.1To undertake, in consultation with your manager, other specified duties which may from time to time be required, in relation to the day-to-day running of the organisation.

Carer Support Worker

Person Specification

Skills and Abilities / Measured by
Excellent verbal and written communicator / Application form and interview
Experience
Experience of working with a diverse range of clients with differing levels of needs. / Application form and interview
Experience of managing own caseload with requisite need for accurate and timely record keeping / Application form and interview
Ability to balance a range of tasks with competing demands / Application form and interview
Experience of networking and influencing strategic partners / Application form and Interview
Experience of maintaining detailed case notes on a database / Application form and interview
Knowledge
Knowledge of issues affecting carers of people with dementia / Application form and interview
Personal Qualities
Passionate about providing high quality services to local communities / Interview
Willing to work in a small team / Interview
Ability to be flexible in working style / Interview
Methodical working style / Interview
Attention to detail / Interview

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