Midlothian Carer Support Worker (Self Directed Support)

POSTMidlothian Carer Support Worker(Self Directed Support)

EMPLOYERVOCAL

SALARY£23,781 - £26,325 (former salary scales point 27-30)

VOCAL will match up to 6% pension contribution

HOURS30 hours per week with occasional evening work.

28 days paid leave plus 10public holidays (pro rata)

LOCATIONThe postholder will be working across Midlothian from VOCAL’s Carers Centre at Eskbank, with occasional meetings in Edinburgh

FUNDINGThis post is funded by the Scottish Government for three years. improving information and support around self directed support (SDS)

PURPOSE OF THE POST

The postholder will provide person-centred support to 200 carers a year, with particular focus on supporting carers to access and use self directed support to achieve their personal outcomes.

The postholder will also assist carers to engage in consultations and planning to support the development of self directed support in Midlothian.

IMPROVED PERSONAL OUTCOMES FOR CARERS

The postholder will be part of the VOCAL Midlothian team and contribute to the following outcomes for carers:

Carers will report

being better informed about issues linked to their caring role
improved confidence in their ability to shape services and support
improved confidence in managing their caring role
improved physical and mental wellbeing
improved confidence in their ability to deal with the changing relationships
improved economic wellbeing
improved social wellbeing
improved personal safety

VOCAL’s approach to carer support

VOCAL supports carers using conversational techniques and an asset based approach. This supports carers to identify and build on their skills and knowledge and the connections and resources within families and communities, rather than focusing on problems and deficits.

VOCAL applies a solution focussed and outcomes based practice across all carer support services and interventions. This supports carers to reflect and identify areas for improvement, change and prioritisation. This approach recognises that carers are the experts in their situation and places them ‘in the driving seat’. It allows carers to shape the content and nature of the support provided, with VOCAL staff acting as knowledgeable facilitators.

Practice expectations

Carer support is time limited and offered on a flexible, person-centred basis through personal contact by appointment, telephone, email and web-based tools. Staff are required to manage their own caseload, ensuring that client support is structured, with baseline assessment, support, outcome review and closure.

SMART outcomes are identified at the beginning of carer support. Personalised solution-focussed support and information follow. The conclusion of support is planned, includes a review of personal outcomes and leaves the carer empowered to move forward independently.

Staff are responsible for ensuring their work with carers is methodically and accurately recorded. All contact with carers is recorded in real time, electronically on a web based case management system.

VOCAL has defined essential data which is captured and includes demographic information and baseline, key actions and review information indicating the carer’s progress to their self-defined outcomes.

Building carers’ digital confidence and skills is an integral part of supporting carers to continue in their caring role, and to build and maintain a life outside the caring role. Digital tools also offer flexible and creative options when tailoring and delivering person-centred support for carers. VOCAL staff are expected to use a range of web based tools and social media to support and engage with carers, and to encourage carers to develop new skills.

Person Specification

The postholder is expected to evidence:

Knowledge

A sound knowledge of self directed support
A sound knowledge of community care and health issues
Experience of working with unpaid carers
A good understanding of the needs and situation of unpaid carers and a demonstrated commitment to supporting them
A good knowledge of how the statutory, voluntary and private sectors work and an ability to network with other agencies and professionals

Skills

Very good listening, and general communication skills
Good written skills and the ability to write reports
Proven ability of organising, prioritising and managing own work
An ability to deal with carers, professionals and members of the public in a sensitive and person-centred manner

Experience

Proven experience of working in a person-centred manner
Proven experience of working in an outcome-focused way
Experience in the use of word processing packages and internet facilities are essential, while experience in the use of desk top publishing packages is desirable.

Qualifications

Evidence of educational qualifications is essential and may include qualifications in counselling or other person-centred training, community development, adult education, social work, education to university degree level, or other relevant qualifications.
Given the geography of Midlothian a current driving license and access to a car are desirable

Job Description

Carer identification

To assist with the identification of carers by working closely with health and social care practitioners and third sector partner agencies
To receive referrals of carers from diverse sources, including self-referrals

Carer Support

Support carers to access and prepare for carer assessments with a focus on how this will support them to work towards their personal outcomes.
Provideperson centred information, advice and support to carers, sensitive to their particular caring situation and focused on achieving agreed personal outcomes.
Support carers to identify their preferred care support and solutions, and support them to broker or access services they require
Support carers to identify and access funds to support the caring role.
Use VOCAL’s Carer Impact Shared System (CISS) to record all casework.

Training and learning opportunities for carers

Leadthe development and delivery of training and other learning opportunities for carers on SDS
Leadthe development of information and material on SDS which is based on carers experiences. This will include digital stories and case studies.
Use a variety of material and media, including social media
Support carers who have used SDS to be part of awareness raising sessions with other carers
Support carers to access opportunities for peer support.

Practice development with other practitioners

Lead the development and delivery of practice development sessions and conversations with practitioners within VOCAL Midlothian and other partner agencies.
Use a variety of material and media, including social media
Support carers who had used SDS to be part of awareness raising sessions with practitioners

Monitoring and evaluation

Comply with VOCAL’s casework model and outcomes focused working, specifically the use of the Carer Outcomes Evaluation tool used to shape casework and measure impact.
Be responsible for the accurate and timely recording of enquiries and casework records including use of VOCAL’s bespoke electronic database
Assist in producing statistical information on carer support, particularly SDS
Lead on reporting to Scottish Government on the funding received for this work

Quality assurance

The postholder will contribute to quality assurance within VOCAL by participating in the implementation of VOCAL’s quality assurance system – PQASSO.

Partnership working

The postholder will work in partnership with Midlothian Health and Social Care Partnership, Lothian Centre for Inclusive Living and other key agencies to share learning and support practice development in relation to the implementation of self directed support for carers.

Carer engagement

The postholder will support carers to participate in consultation and planning through a variety of methods including attendance at planning groups, scrutiny panels and specific focus groups, with a particular focus on self directed support

General Duties

As a member of the Carer Support Team, the postholder will be expected to consistently and effectively perform a number of general duties:

Comply with VOCAL’s casework model and outcomes focused working, which is used to shape casework and measure impact.
Be responsible for the accurate and timely recording of enquiries and casework records including use of VOCAL’s bespoke electronic database - CISS
Comply with Carer Centre policies and procedures such as confidentiality policy, telephone and recording procedures, lone working policies, etc
Comply with and contribute to VOCAL’s work of continuous quality improvement
participate in VOCAL staff team planning meetings
Carry out other non-recurring duties as arise from time to time, and occasionally help cover carer centre duties during the absence of team members.
participate in VOCAL staff team planning meetings

Accountability, Management and Development

The postholder will benefit from a structured induction programme within the first month of appointment, followed by a six months probation period.

The post holder will ultimately be accountable to the Board of Directors. For line management, supervision and support the postholder will be answerable to the Team Leader, VOCAL Midlothian.

VOCAL acknowledges its responsibility to help identify training needs of staff and to allow reasonable time and resources for staff training, where such training furthers the duties and responsibilities of the post.

Emphasis is placed on team accountability and mutual support.

The post holder will be based at the VOCAL Midlothian Carers Centre, but will be expected to carry out a range of duties at different locations in Midlothian, with occasional meetings in Edinburgh.

The post holder will be expected to carry out the duties of this post with due regard to Equal Opportunities and non-discriminatory practice.

Conditions of Service

The post is initially advertised at 30 hours per week over days. There may be some flexibility over the distribution of hours which will form the normal working week.

The post holder qualifies for 28 days annual leave and statutory holidays on a pro rata basis.

The employer is committed to meet a 6% pension contribution.

Midlothian Carer Support Worker(Self Directed Support) Page 1 of 5