Dear Applicant

Senior Case Worker – DIAL

It is exciting times at Gofal, as we have been successful in securing Big Lottery funding to deliver a unique and innovative project. The Dementia Integration and Link (DIAL) project will deliver support across two key delivery strands; these are supporting people with dementia, and supporting the carers of people with dementia.

1) Supporting people with dementia

The DIAL project will deliver support to people with dementia in Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan. This includes older people with dementia and those with early onset dementia. The support will be aimed at reducing social isolation, increasing confidence and improving mental and physical wellbeing.

This support will be delivered through the provision of ‘meaningful activity’ based on the individual interests and needs of the people being supported. All of the activities will be underpinned by the aims of encouraging social and community inclusion, promoting physical activity, stimulating the senses, facilitating reminiscence and preventing rapid deterioration of memory. Examples of the activities the project will provide include: walking, cookery, sports, reminiscence therapy, life history books, visits to familiar places, arts and crafts, gardening, yoga, outdoor activities, visiting a sensory garden, day trips etc.

The support will be delivered in a variety of settings to make the service as accessible as possible. These settings, as identified through Gofal's scoping exercise, include: ward settings, day centres, community settings and in people's homes (including personal houses, care homes, extra care facilities etc). Activities will either be delivered to a group, or on a one-to-one basis depending on the preferences of the people being supported.

2) Supporting the carers of people with dementia

The DIAL project will also support the carers of people with dementia and early onset dementia in Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan. This support will be delivered through:

  • the provision of respite for the carer whilst the person with dementia is being supported
  • the opportunity for inclusion of the carers in the activity sessions with the person they support
  • the facilitation of peer support groups for carers of people with dementia across Cardiff and the Vale.

The aim of this support will be to improve the mental wellbeing of the carers, up-skill them to engage those that they care for in a wider range of activities and will enable them to benefit from mutual support and advice from people with similar caring experiences.

Resources

The DIAL project will be delivered through a combination of dedicated staff members and trained volunteers. The team will include:

  • A Project Coordinator, who will spend 50% of their time on the DIAL project
  • A Senior Caseworker, who will work solely on the DIAL project and will report to the Project Coordinator
  • Two Caseworkers, who will work solely on the DIAL project and will report to the Senior Caseworker
  • A total of 35 trained volunteers (10 in year one, 15 in year two and 10 in year three) who will deliver the majority of the support sessions, reporting to the dedicated Caseworkers for the project.
  • A steering group, made up of key stakeholders, who will oversee the project at a strategic level and will ensure effective project delivery.
  • The project will also benefit from the support of Gofal’s central office functions including HR, Finance, IT, administration etc.

Beneficiaries

The main beneficiaries of this project will be:

  • People with dementia and early onset dementia (350 during project lifetime)
  • Volunteers on the project (35 during project lifetime).
  • Carers/family members of people with dementia (150 during project lifetime).
  • Local organisations that deliver services to people with dementia, e.g. the hospitals and care homes (10 during project lifetime).

Gofal

Gofal is a leading Welsh mental health and wellbeing charity. Weprovide a wide range of services to people with mental health problems, supporting their independence, recovery, health and wellbeing.We also lobby to improve mental health policy, practice and legislation, as well as campaigning to increase public understanding of mental health and wellbeing.

Thank you for your interest in working for Gofal and please find enclosed the following:

1)Information on Gofal and the post you have applied for

2)Role Expectations, Person Specification and Competency Framework

3)Application Form

4)Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form

The closing date for receipt of your application is Monday 13th June 2016. Please do ensure you return your application by this date and time. Gofal cannot be responsible for any applications received late and any applications that arrive after the deadline will not be considered.

Shortlisting will take place week commencing 13th June 2016. We will contact you as soon as possible after shortlisting to inform you of the outcome.

Interviews will be held week commencing 20th June 2016.

Applications will be considered against the person specification and shortlisted candidates invited to interview. We therefore recommend that you read our Guidance notes (available on our website) before you complete your application.

Once again, thank you for your interest in Gofal and we look forward to receiving your application.

Yours sincerely

Anna Johnson

HR Administrator

About Gofal

Thinking differently about mental health and wellbeing

Gofal was founded in 1990 as Gofal Housing Trust following the closure of Parc and Penyfai Hospitals in Bridgend, South Wales. Our aim was to provide high quality supported accommodation that enabled adults with severe and enduring mental health problems to make a safe and sustainable transition from institutional care to independence in local communities.We have grown into an organisation supporting over 2000 people across 11 Welsh local authorities.

Our Vision

Good mental health and wellbeing for all

Our Mission

To have a positive lasting impact in all that we do by:

  • Working together to provide services that we can be proud of
  • Demonstrating outstanding practice in relation to staff mental health and wellbeing, learning and development
  • Challenging the way we all think about, talk about and respond to mental health and wellbeing in all areas of our lives
  • Using our profile, influence and voice to improve the lives of people living with or at risk of experiencing mental ill health
  • Increasing the range and reach of our services through targeted and sustainable business growth
  • Spending our money where it will have the maximum impact

Our Aspirations

Gofal aspires to:

  • Work with integrity and dignity
  • Inspire and support people to exceed their expectations
  • Develop a culture that is embracing and respectful of difference
  • Communicate honestly and openly
  • Be an organisation that is ambitious, creative and determined
  • Create environments that are collaborative, supportive and empowering
  • Be respected for our knowledge and expertise

Gofal

Senior Case Worker

DIAL Dementia Integration and Link Project

Location:Cardiff and the Valeof Glamorgan

[with requirement for travel throughout other Gofal areas of operation]

Salary:£21,462.50 per annum.

Contract: 3 years from start date (subject to probationary period)

Hours:37 hours per week.

Holidays:26 days annual leave plus bank holidays.

Holidays increase by 1 day for each year of service up to a maximum of 30 days.

Pension:Pension in the form of a money purchase pension scheme:

-4.5% non-contributory employer contribution

-5.5% paid if employee contributes 1%

-6.5% paid if employee contributes 2% of more

Other Benefits:Income Protection

Life Assurance

Employee Assistance Programme

Opportunities for flexible working

Training and personal development opportunities

Job Purpose:

  • The successful candidate will coordinate the DIAL project; manage two FTE Case Workers and multiple Volunteers and Beneficiaries.
  • To support the development of an inspired, committed and competent performance orientated workforce.
  • To co-ordinate the project services and team activities whilst managing a caseload of service users.
  • To provide a range of social, emotional and practical support for people experiencing mental ill health and dementia, enabling them to manage their responsibilities and self-manage their mental health/ dementia and wellbeing to live independently.
  • To act as a link and intermediary between Gofal, the DIAL Project and potential partner settings.
  • To provide support and mentoring to direct line reports (Case Workers, Support Workers and Volunteers) in the implementation of an innovative and quality service.
  • To support the development of an inspired, committed and competent performance orientated workforce.
  • To comply with and maintain all necessary administrative and reporting systems.

GOFAL

Role Expectations

Post:Senior Case Worker

Service:DIAL

Reporting to:Project Co-ordinator

Office Base:Across two locations in Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan

Date:May 2016

Role Expectations:

Co-ordination of service:

  1. To manage referrals into the service.
  2. To liaise with the Project Co-ordinator and team to co-ordinate and manage the work of the service in line with its aims and objectives.
  3. To maintain accurate records of contact and work with individuals.
  4. To provide regular reports on statistics, needs and views of people accessing the service.
  5. To work alongside colleagues in other organisations, sharing knowledge and information about mental health issues.
  6. To work with theProject Co-ordinator and team to develop and implement good working practices.

Service User Support Work

  1. To lead on assessment of needs of individuals referred to the projects, obtaining additional information as necessary.
  2. To work with beneficiaries and, where relevant, to draw up support plans to meet identified needs and ensure support is delivered in line with the support plan.
  3. To review progress and relevance of risk assessments and support plans and update accordingly to ensure that risk is managed effectively, monitored on a regular basis.
  4. To involve beneficiaries and carers in the development, running and evaluation of the services.
  5. To liaise with other agencies with and on behalf of service users as part of planned support, to include participation in joint meetings and case reviews/ assessments ensuring collaboration and effective support planning.
  6. To support service users to access information and advice in order that they are able to make informed choices in matters that affect them.
  7. To promote service users’ independence to become full and active citizens in the community in which they live.

People Management and Leadership

  1. To promote a culturewhich puts service user needs and interests at its centre and aims to be inclusive of all stakeholders.
  2. To motivate and inspire staff to achieve the goals of the organisation.
  3. To ensure accountabilities and responsibilities are clear for all line reports.
  4. To provide effective line management, support and supervision for direct line reports, ensuring they work within set guidelines and meet objectives.
  5. To ensure proper implementation of relevant policy, procedure and systems across the area of responsibility.
  6. To ensure compliance with all legal and regulatory requirements.
  7. To manage staff and services within a performance management framework, referring difficult or complex staffing issues to the Project Co-ordinator.

Administrative Requirements

  1. To keep accurate notes of all support provided in line with funding requirements.
  2. To ensure that risk assessments, support plans and reviews are maintained up to date.
  3. To ensure all relevant information is shared with colleagues and other services as appropriate.
  4. To ensure all project communication methods are used appropriate and effectively.
  5. To ensure that IT systems are used effectively and in line with organisational procedures – e.g. Use of e-mail and database systems.
  6. To provide all relevant information to head office and external organisations as required.

Organisation Expectations

To carry out all duties in a manner that reflects Gofal’s Aspirations:

  1. Work with integrity and dignity.
  2. Inspire and support people to exceed their expectations.
  3. Develop a culture that is embracing and respectful of difference.
  4. Communicate honestly and openly.
  5. Be an organisation that is ambitious, creative and determined.
  6. Create environments that are collaborative, supportive and empowering.
  7. Be respected for our knowledge and expertise.

GOFAL

Person Specification

Post: Senior Case Worker

Essential / Desirable / Assessed through
Experience
Experience of working in the health, social care and housing/ homelessness field, providing support, assistance and advice to individuals experiencing mental health problems /  / Application/Interview
Experience of working with people with dementia /  / Application/Interview
Co-ordinating project services and team activities /  / Application/Interview
Experience of line management, support and mentoring e.g staff, volunteers /  / Application/Interview
Experience of providing support to people in the community, including in people’s own homes. /  / Application
Caseload management /  / Application
Qualifications and skills
Qualification relevant to the work – ie NVQ Level 3 Health and Social Care with a willingness to work towards Level NVQ 4 /  / Application
How to co-ordinate and develop people to get the best out of them. /  / Application
Full current driving licence and access to your own transport /  / Application
Ability to communicate in Welsh /  / Application
IT skills including basic word processing and use of databases to input information /  / Interview (skills assessment)
Knowledge and Understanding
Compliance of legal and regulatory requirements /  / Interview
How mental health problemsand associated problems can affect an individual’s life. /  / Application
The range of mental health and community services available /  / Interview
The welfare benefits system and how to apply for the various benefits /  / Application
How health and social care services can contribute to people’s lives /  / Application
Ways to involve service users and volunteers in the further development of the project /  / Application
Competencies
Role model behaviours of integrity and dignity to other team members /  / Interview
Support the team to deliver at its best /  / Interview
Role model behaviours underpinned by respect of difference /  / Interview
Adapt communication to the audience /  / Application/Interview
Identify the best outcomes, solve problems and overcome barriers to achievement /  / Interview
Identify new opportunities to seek and share experience with others /  / Interview
Proactively identify own development needs and take action to meet them /  / Application/Interview

Applicants for the post of Senior Case Worker will be required to demonstrate evidence of competency at levels 1 and 2 with elements of developing into 3; please refer to the Competency Framework below.

Competency Framework

Gofal aspires to:Work with integrity and dignity

Level 1: Demonstrate integrity and dignity in all interactions with others

  • Maintain appropriate personal boundaries in all interactions with service users, colleagues and external contacts
  • Express opinions genuinely and honestly, while being mindful of the impact on others
  • Take responsibility for reflecting on own behaviours
  • Maintain confidentiality and be trustworthy in relationships with service users and colleagues
  • Bring to the attention of line managers, any situations where standards of integrity or dignity are believed to have been breached.
  • Make every effort to deliver on commitments made.

Level 2: Role Model behaviours of integrity and dignity to other team members

  • Give feedback to colleagues where behaviours are noticed which do not demonstrate integrity or dignity
  • Help others to understand their responsibilities to act with integrity and dignity
  • Actively seek feedback to understand own personal impact on others, and use personal insights.

Level 3: Be an Ambassador for Gofal by upholding standards of integrity and dignity both outside

and inside the organisation

  • Take ownership for ensuring the team understand their individual and collective responsibilities to treat all service users and colleagues with integrity and dignity
  • Create a team culture where people are able to give and receive feedback constructively and take ownership for their personal development
  • Be vigilant and responsive to colleagues who need to express concerns
  • Ensure that new team members thoroughly understand their responsibilities with regards to integrity and dignity and can clearly describe the standards which they need to maintain
  • Seek for self and others to continually do the right thing, and support colleagues where this may be difficult for them
  • Maintain the integrity of our values, even when there is pressure from outside forces

Gofal aspires to:Inspire and support people to exceed their expectations

Level 1: Support colleagues to deliver at their best

  • Role model positive and constructive behaviours to service users and colleagues
  • Share knowledge, skills and learning to help others to be at their best.
  • Work in a way that supports and promotes the wellbeing of others.
  • Participate openly and constructively in team meetings
  • Work co-operatively with others, supporting colleagues to deliver their best to service users
  • Actively engage in own supervision and appraisal, preparing and participating fully
  • Maintain high quality standards in file and record keeping
  • Notice and acknowledge great contribution from others

Level 2: Support the team to deliver at its best

  • Demonstrate flexibility and adaptability to change
  • Support colleagues in managing the emotional impact of their work
  • Actively seek out information to share, which will help the team in its work
  • Take a role in mentoring team members who need help or support
  • Actively suggest ideas for improvement for the team
  • Bring the great contribution of colleagues to the attention of others

Level 3: Enable people to set and achieve high standards for their own performance