Co-ordinator Job Pack / 2016
Dear Applicant
Thank you for your interest in the above position with Bolton Carers Support. We look forward to receiving your completed application. Please fill in your application carefully, setting out the ways in which you meet the requirements outlined in the person specification. You should provide clear and concise examples of a time when you have had to use the necessary skills.
Your application should be typed or completed in black inkso it can be photocopied. The panel will consider the presentation of your application during the selection process.
Your completed application should be returned by 5 pm on Wednesday 1st June 2016.
Late applications will not be accepted. Do not attach any documents such as CVs, reference letters or photocopies of your qualifications as these will be disregarded and will not be seen by the selection panel.
Interviews will be held on Friday 10th2016.
We regret that, due to the high costs of postage, we are unable to write to each applicant who has not been shortlisted for interview. If you have not heard from us by Tuesday 7th June please assume you have not been successful on this occasion.
Please send your completed application to Michelle Clarke, Chief Officer, Thicketford Centre, Thicketford Road, Tonge Moor, Bolton, BL2 2LW (please mark the envelope ‘Confidential’). Or email it to .
Good Luck!
This pack contains the following sections:
- About Bolton Carers Support
- The Carers Support Network
- Equality and Diversity
- Guidance Notes
- Job Description
- Person Specification
- Terms and Conditions
About Bolton Carers Support
Caring responsibilities can affect anyone of us at any age and we may need to provide care for a parent, partner or child due to illness or disability. This can involve helping someone get up, washed and dressed, accompanying them to hospital appointments, administering medication, doing shopping, cooking and cleaning, providing emotional support or ‘supervision’. While caring is a natural part of our relationships and can be very rewarding, there are also times when it is physically and mentally exhausting.
There are over 30,000 carers in Bolton – and of these, almost 8,000 are providing more than 50 hours of care each week to family members, friends and relatives.Bolton Carers Support has a 20-year track record of delivering information and support to local carers aged 18 or over, but we have ambitious plans to do much more and we need to expand our staff team to help us turn our aims into a reality.
Our Vision
Bolton Carers Support wants all carers to feel valued and to receive the information, care and support they deserve.
Our Mission
Bolton Carers Support is a well-established, confidential, first point of contact for carers. We meet the individual needs of carers by providing information, advice and emotional support. We engage, enable and empower carers to fulfil their caring role.
Our 7 Key Aims
- Informed, empowered and confident carers
- Carers will have improved health and well-being
- Carers will be less isolated
- Carers will be trained and supported
- Carers will be better off financially
- Carers will have regular time off from caring
- Overall, we will be a strong and effective carers’ organisation
Our Activities
Here are some of the many ways that Bolton Carers Support helps local carers. Because caring does not come with a manual, we provide advice and support to help carers find out about local services. We do this through the following:
- Carers Helpline
- Information and Advice Appointments
- Short Breaks (meals out and day trips)
- Training (workshops and short courses)
- Benefits Advice Service
- Newsletter, Fact-Sheets, Publications
- Awareness-raising about the needs of carers
The Staff Team
Michelle Clarke / Chief Officer (28 hours)Ann Brown / Admin & Finance Worker (14 hours)
Peter Harmer / Activities Co-ordinator (28 hours)
Zoe Hill / Outreach Worker (18 hours)
Elaine Holt / Benefits Advice Worker (18 hours)
Bev Strang / Carers Information & Advice Service Officer (28 hours)
Louise Turner / Carers Information and Advice Service Assistant (21 hours)
Georgette Kay / Health Linkworker (20 hours)
Saeed Anwar / Home Visitor (28 hours)
The Trustees
Bolton Carers Support is managed by volunteer trustees. Trustees are carers, former carers or supporters of Bolton Carers Support and are involved in all areas of work, including recruitment and selection. Staff members are accountable on a day-to-day basis to the Chief Officer, while the trustees are the employers of all staff.
Teamworking
All staff members work together and help each other out when needed. We recognise that while individual roles are important it is vital that we all work effectively as a team to ensure our overall aims are achieved.
The Carers Support Network
Loneliness is a huge issue for carers with 83% of carers feeling lonely or socially isolated as a result of their caring responsibilities (‘Alone and caring’, Carers UK, 2015). There is a growing body of evidence that having weak social connections carries a health risk equivalent to smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day, more harmful than not exercising and twice as harmful as obesity. Effects on health include: increased blood pressure, abnormal stress response and heart disease.
We want to establish a Carers Support Network that will tackleisolation and loneliness through group-based support for carers and group-based information, training and activities.
The Co-ordinator will:
- identify venues around the borough, set up carers support groups (testing out different models of support), and facilitate the groups to encourage participation, making any necessary arrangements for the groups;
- organise information sessions for groups on different topics and services as well as providing sessions on managing relationships and maintaining good health;
- identify carers within each group to take on roles and support them in fulfilling those roles, helping the groups to become self-running / self-supporting over the course of the project;
- provide telephone support to carers (group members) who have been identified as needing additional support e.g. helping them to access services;
- organise and host an annual network event, inviting all carers attending the groups, to socialise and provide feedback on the groups and identify learning for the project.
The project is funded by Bolton Council through their Carers Grant for 2 years.
Outcomes for the Carers Support Network1 / Carers have improved access to support and information. Carers are enabled to make informed choices about care, support, health and well-being and are more aware of their rights (for example, to assessment).
2 / Carers have improved social integration and networks of support. Carers are aware of local services, facilities and resources and feel more confident accessing them.
3. / Carers feel less isolated. Carers have access to emotional, social and peer support through a network of groups.
4. / Through providing information and support to access preventative services, the Carers Support Network will reduce the risk of earlier uptake of statutory high support services.
Equality and Diversity
Equalities and diversity are areas of great importance to Bolton Carers Support. It is fundamental that people are treated fairly, with respect and dignity. Bolton Carers Support will not tolerate any discrimination, victimization or harassment on the grounds of age, disability, gender or gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation.
We strive to take all practical steps to prevent discrimination and promote equality through our work, including making our services inclusive and accessible to carers from all sections of the community.
Equality and Diversity Monitoring Form
Bolton Carers Support values diversity and selects staff solely on merit. All stages of the recruitment process are monitored to check that discrimination of any kind is not taking place. To help us ensure this, we request all applicants to complete a Monitoring Form. This information is treated in confidence, separated from your application form as soon as it arrives, and only used for monitoring purposes.
How to apply: Guidance Notes
Bolton Carers Support is an equal opportunities employer. We aim to treat every applicant fairly. The information you provide in your application form is the only information we will use in deciding whether or not you will be invited for interview, so it is important that you complete it with care. To help you, please follow these guidelines:
- Please complete all sections of the form
Incomplete applications will not be considered.
- Personal details and references
Enter your personal details fully and clearly so we may contact you about your application. One of your referees must be your current or most recent employer. If you have not been employed before or have been out of paid employment for a long time, you should give the name of someone who knows you sufficiently well to comment on your ability to do the job. Any person who is related to you does not qualify as a suitable referee.
- Education
Please give brief details of educational, vocational and professional qualifications with attainment level. If you are shortlisted for interview you may be asked to bring proof of qualifications with you.
- Employment History
Provide details of your employment history. State the position you held, starting with your most recent employer and give brief details of key achievements. Please note the salary you are currently on and any notice period for your current employer.
- Disability
Bolton Carers Support welcomes applications from people with disabilities. As defined by the Disability Discrimination Act, 1995, disability is: A physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long term adverse effect on a person’s ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities. Please let us know if you need additional assistance in the event that you are invited to interview.
- Personal Development
Please give details of any personal development you have undertaken, and dates. This may include formal courses that you have attended, voluntary work you have done or membership of association or professional groups. Think carefully about how you have developed your skills and note any relevant points here.
- Supporting Statement
The supporting statement is a vital part of the application form and should be used to tell us how you meet the person specification and what experience you have relevant to the job description. Always remember to specify your personal responsibilities rather than those of your team. Bring in voluntary work as well as paid work if relevant.
If you have little or no paid work experience or if you have not been in paid work for a long time then think of how you can transfer skills used at school, college or home such as planning a project, course work, organizing events, budgeting or IT skills.Only those candidates who clearly demonstrate they meet the person specification will be short-listed for interview.
- Keep it concise
Remember that the selection panel will be sifting through lots of applications. Forms that stand out are those that are clear and concise, address each criteria in turn, and use bullet points and short sentences.
- And finally…
Do not use more than 2 additional sheets (if typing, please use font size 12 or 14). If more than 2 sheets are attached they will be disregarded. Please do not stick or glue paper to the back of the form as it may get caught in the photocopier. Use separate sheets of paper instead and number them.
Hours of work / 28 hours a week * Fixed term 2 year contract *(Possibility of extension subject to funding)
Salary scale / Scale 5, Points 22- 25, starting at Point 22
Reporting to / Chief Officer
Accountable to / Bolton Carers Support Management Committee
OUTCOMES FOR THE CARERS SUPPORT NETWORK
1 / Carers have improved access to support and information. Carers are enabled to make informed choices about care, support, health and well-being and are more aware of their rights (for example, to assessment).
2 / Carers have improved social integration and networks of support. Carers are aware of local services, facilities and resources and feel more confident accessing them.
3 / Carers feel less isolated. Carers have access to emotional, social and peer support through a network of groups.
4 / Through providing information and support to access preventative services, the Carers Support Network will reduce the risk of earlier uptake of statutory high support services.
GENERAL OBJECTIVES
To establish a network of carers support groups around the borough, promoting the groups widely to ensure carers know about the groups. To facilitate the groups, making all arrangements for meetings, organising guest speakers and information workshops. To identify ways to sustain the groups through carers taking a lead role in running the groups, supporting them to develop relevant skills and knowledge to enable them to do so. To contact group members who are under strain and help them to access support.
SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES
Awareness-Raising
- Work with the Chief Officer and Carers Information and Advice Service Officer to ensure opportunities to publicise the service are taken up. This includes: visiting key organisations such as Age UK and befriending services to promote the service, giving brief presentations at BCS events and developing simple publicity materials, such as flyers, for the Outreach Worker to distribute at information displays.
- Act as the contact point for any external enquiries about the Carers Support Network.
Publications
- Contribute to articles for the Carers Contact newsletter and Caring Matters e-bulletin, and provide text for any BCS publications as required.
- Contribute to the annual report by providing case studies.
Carers Support Network
- Take initial referrals to the service and deal with enquiries, following up enquiries as required, providing up-to-date, accurate and timely information and maintaining accurate records of enquiries on the electronic database.
- Identify suitable venues / a safe environment for groups and ensure new groups are established and widely promoted to encourage attendance.
- Complete relevant risk assessments to ensure a safe setting for meetings.
- Facilitate groups, ensuring carers are welcomed, refreshments provided / organised and a suitable programme of guest speakers, and / or information workshops, is arranged (through consultation with group members). Ensure that group members feel at ease, and that all are able to participate equally, as they wish.
- Support group members to agree their own ground rules, and encourage ownership of the group by group members, so that venue, frequency of meeting and type of meeting is discussed and agreed by the group members.
- Assist group members to understand the purpose and benefit of the group. Support the group through potential conflict areas and work with group members to resolve conflict.
- Test out different approaches to groups – setting some groups up as more traditional groups offering talks and support, with other groups being more activity based.
- Encourage carers to access resources and facilities in the group’s local area, organising group visits to such facilities.
- Support the ongoing development of the groups, identifying a plan for the future of each group, and supporting carers who wish to take a lead role in running groups, arranging training and links with other organisations as appropriate and ensuring they have clarity about their roles (Chair, Treasurer, Secretary etc).
Additional Support for Carers
- Through the group meetings, identify carers who may be experiencing stress and make contact in between group meetings to see if the carer needs support to access services such as assessment, counselling, Independent Living Service and other relevant services.
- Make follow-up calls to group members who have missed a session to check whether they need any support as well as to check whether they have any feedback relating to the group if they decide it is not for them. Check whether there are any barriers to attending groups and identify ways to overcome these.
- Highlight serious and concerning issues to the Chief Officer and ensure that the organisation’s Safeguarding Policy is carried out.
Monitoring
- Produce quarterly work and monitoring reports and required statistics for the funder as directed by the Chief Officer.
- Routinely gather feedback from carers regarding their views on the Carers Support Network and the impact of the service e.g. gathering feedback,case studies and other material for monitoring and evaluation purposes.
Oganisational
- Participate in induction and regularly attend team meetings and any training organised to update staff skills and knowledge.
- Work in a manner that adheres to equal opportunities principles in all work undertaken for and on behalf of Bolton Carers Support.
- Adhere to all Bolton Carers Support service standards policies and procedures.
- Carry out any other reasonable tasks commensurate with the post, as directed by Bolton Carers Support’s Chief Officer.
Person Specification
A = Application Form I = Interview
Requirement / Method of Assessment(A)Skills
A1 / Ability to problem solve, identify key issues and communicate effectively / A, I
A2 / Listening, support and advice skills, able to support carers who may be distressed or angry / A,I
A3 / Good organisation, data inputting and administrative skills, including IT competence (e.g. word-processing, databases, email) / A, I
A4 / Ability to identify key services, pursue enquiries on behalf of carers and gather relevant information / A, I
A5 / Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to develop good relationships with colleagues, external agencies and carers / A, I
A6 / Ability to keep accurate records, ensuring key information is recorded / A ,I
(B)Knowledge and Experience
B1 / A proven and recent track record of establishing and supporting the development of groups / A, I
B2 / Experience in identifying people’s strengths and skills within groups, enabling group members to actively participate / A, I
B3 / Experience of providing emotional support in person / A,I
B4 / Knowledge and understanding of the needs of carers / A, I
B5 / Knowledge and understanding of key services carers can access / A, I
B6 / Experience of raising awareness about a service to promote take-up / increase referrals / A, I
B7 / Positive commitment to Equal Opportunities / A, I
(C)Work-Related Circumstances
C1 / Flexible attitude to working outside normal hours e.g. attending events in evenings and at weekends / A, I
C2 / Willingness to travel around the Bolton borough / A
C3 / Commitment to personal development through supervision and ongoing training / A, I
Terms and Conditions