ENFIELD CARERS CENTRE – Carers Support & Advice Officer

Position:Carers Support & Advice Officer

Location:Enfield Carers Centre (but working across Enfield)

Hours: 35 hours per week

Contract:1 year renewable contract

Salary: £22,500 inc OLW

Reports to:Chief Executive Officer

Purpose of post/s To work with colleagues, under the guidance of the Chief Executive, to undertake the range of both routine and ad hoc tasks that are needed to ensure that Enfield Carers Centre operates effectively and efficiently to meet the requirements of the charity and its funders and the needs and aspirations of carers in Enfield in ways that celebrate diversity and promote equality.

It is expected that Carers Support & Advice Officers will take lead responsibility for specific areas of activity as well as undertaking core duties as outlined below. However, Centre Support & Advice Officer/s will be expected to support the Chief Executive across the whole range of tasks as needed.

Core dutiesto be undertaken with other ECC staff, using rota arrangements where appropriate:

  1. To provide accurate and timely information and advice to carers visiting the centre and at other locations in Enfield as directed, and to accurately and effectively sign post callers to statutory and voluntary sector agencies as needed and appropriate.
  2. To offer one to one and group information/support to carers coming to the Centre and at other locations in Enfield as directed, assist in hosting a range of events and activities for carers that reflect diverse needs and aspiration and that also reach out to hidden and new carers. Ensure that carers themselves are fully involved in the planning and delivery of these activities and events.
  3. To provide a welcome and reception service to all visitors to the Centre, keeping appropriate records of callers and enquiries.
  4. To maintain the register of carers in Enfield, ensuring that the records are accurate and up to date in order to facilitate timely communications with those on the register and to meet the requirements of ECC Data Protection Policy. To liaise with Enfield Council staff to help ensure that information about carers in Enfield is accurate.
  5. To administer the Carers Registration and Emergency Card Scheme on behalf of the London Borough of Enfield, ensuring that there is effective liaison with LBE and that the requirements of ECC Data Protection Policy are met.
  6. To help plan and arrange regular and ad hoc events and activities for carers at ECC in line with ECC Business Plan and ECC Board and as directed by the CEO, liaising closely with other agencies who are involved in or leading these activities.
  7. Assist in the preparation and distribution ofappropriate publicity material and information for carers, helping to ensure that arrangements are made to assist those facing barriers to communication through for example disability or language.
  8. Working with CEO and colleagues at ECC, carers and other stakeholders across the health and well being community, to assist in the delivery of services for carers that meet identified needs and aspirations and promote the profile of carers in Enfield.
  9. Using readily available information, keep up to date with plans and service developments for carers both nationally and locally and be able to provide general informationto carers and other stakeholders about new developments as these arise.
  10. Representing the ECC at meetings of the voluntary and statutory sector and and other network meetings to ensure that carers needs/issues are reflected in the discussions.
  11. Assist in developing and supporting a robust partnership network in support of carers across the health and wellbeing community in Enfield. Using existing partnership arrangements where these exist and developing new ones as required, make sure that services and support for carers increases, that unnecessary duplication of provision is avoided and that the role and profile of carers and the reputation of ECC is enhanced.
  12. Assist in developing and maintaining content for the ECC website as directed by CEO, ensuring it is kept up to date and reflects recent activities and information for carers and other stakeholders. Use this and other mechanisms to publicise the work of ECC both locally and within the national network of Carers Centres supported by the Princess Royal Trust for Carers.
  13. Occasional oversight and supervision of volunteer staff on projects associated with core duties in this job description.
  14. The post holder will also be expected to undertake other duties considered to be commensurate with the post as required by CEO.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

ESSENTIAL / DESIRABLE
1. / EXPERIENCE
1.1 / Experience of working in the health and social care sector
1.2 / Experience of networking and working in partnership with voluntary organisations, statutory groups and other agencies
1.3 / Experience of providing advice, support and informationto vulnerable people
1.4 / Experience of organising and running public events
1.5 / Experience of working with and overseeing volunteers
1.6 / Experience of evaluating and monitoring systems and making recommendations
1.7 / Experience of working for a multi ethnic, multi cultural community setting
1.8 / Experience of using computerised record keeping database systems
1.9 / Computer literacy – familiar with Microsoft Word, use of internet and e-mail systems
2. / KNOWLEDGE
2.1 / Knowledge of Carers legislation and policy framework
2.2 / Understanding and commitment to the needs of carers
2.3 / An understanding of the relationship between the NHS, Local Authority and voluntary and community groups
2.5 / Understanding and commitment to equal opportunities and an awareness of issues affecting social and health care provision in multi-cultural context.
2.6 / An awareness of the developments in health & social care provision/legislation that affect carers at a local and national level
3. / SKILLS
3.1 / Ability to liaise with and communicate, both orally and in written form with carers, voluntary and statutory sector at all levels
3.2 / Ability to deal tactfully and sensitively with all enquiries
3.3 / Ability to work on own initiative with minimum supervision and manage a varied workload within agreed time scales
3.4 / Ability to prepare feedback/evaluation reports
3.5 / Computer Literate

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Carers Support Advice Officer March 2011