Job Profile- Carers Support Worker
Responsible to-Oldham Team Coordinator
Line Managed by-Oldham Team Coordinator
Responsible for-
Objectives
Wired is a registered charity that provides a range of services to disadvantaged people and carers within Wirral, Liverpool, Warrington and Oldham.
The objective of the role is to act as a contact with carers providing information, advice and support as well offering new carers an initial assessment of their needs.
There are the key areas of work, plus the usual accountabilities expected from all Wired personnel.
Key Tasks
To identify Carers and help to support them in their roles as Carers, both as individuals and in groups within Oldham.
To establish and maintain regular contact with Carers
- Offer all new carers an initial assessment of their needs which includes preliminary carers’ assessment, carers’ emergency card, ongoing support, advice, information and referrals to relevant services.
- In response to referrals and requests from the carers centre, to make initial contact with carers to carry out a preliminary Carers Assessments.
- To refer more complex needs as agreed to the relevant social work teams or department.
- To liaise with carers centre staff, and with other agencies and statutory bodies as appropriate, with permission and on behalf of the carer.
- To identify the aspects of caring in which the carer may need additional support and monitor any unmet needs.
- To arrange follow up visits to carers, along with establishing regular telephone contact in order to encourage them to share information and concerns
- To recognize and respond to a carer’s crisis, even if at short notice.
- To attend carers drop-ins and participate as appropriate, in carers activities at other venues and occasional out of hours activities
- To attend regular team meetings and share information as appropriate.
- To attend training sessions with both the Care Services Team and as appropriate, the Wired Information and Advice Service.
- To raise awareness and promote the rights and needs of carers in Oldham through regular networking.
- To maintain up to date knowledge of relevant legislation, national and local policies, standards, and practice guidance in relation to carers.
- To work with the other members of the team to maintain up to date resource material relevant to the role of carers and provide information and articles about carers for the Carers Centre magazine for publication.
- To effectively communicate complex and sensitive information both verbally and in writing to professionals and carers.
- To lead a comprehensive audit of carers’ needs, with responsibility for analysing data and highlighting any corresponding service improvement, ensuring that these activities support the carer centres main objectives.
- To maintain accurate records of telephone calls, visits and referrals and compile a monthly statistical report for the manager.
- To ensure effective communication with external agencies and carers.
- To perform any other duties as may reasonably be requested by the Carers Centre Manager.
- Work as part of the team and on your own initiative in developing and contributing to the provision of services/support for Carers in Oldham.
- To prepare regular reports for the Advisory Committee and provide monitoring information for the PRTC, PCT, Local Authority and other funders, as required.
- The post holder shall, at all times, work by developing partnerships with service users, carers and local people to ensure that they are actively involved in the planning, development, provision, monitoring and review of services.
- Ensure all work outputs and processes meet the quality standards Wired adhere to, including Matrix and Community Legal Service.
- Exhibit a professional, friendly and approachable demeanour to clients, colleagues and other professionals at all times.
- Utilise effective time management techniques to ensure tasks are prioritised, and agreed deadlines are met.
- Work towards a Personal Development Plan to address identified needs, and attend all relevant staff training and meetings.
- Ensure that attitudes and work behaviour reflect the philosophy of Wired at all times (refer to Wired Code of Conduct).
- Any other duty that may be required, commensurate with job title and salary (Wired’s services are continually changing – flexibility and adaptability is essential).
PERSON SPECIFICATION
COMPETENCIES REQUIRED FOR THE ROLE
Competency / Level requiredCommunication / 2
Planning & Organising / 2
Team working / 2
Problem solving / 2
Business Awareness / 2
Customer service / 2
For details of the requirements at each level, please refer to the Competencies Framework.
SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED / ESSENTIAL / DESIRABLEExperience of managing your own caseload / E
Experience of providing advice, information and support / E
Experience of assessing client or carer needs / E
Current basic knowledge of Benefits/Welfare Rights/Carers rights / E
Experience of providing emotional support / E
Excellent IT skills particularly Microsoft Word, Access & Excel /
E
Experience of working with Volunteers / EExperience of facilitating groups, delivering presentations and/or training /
E
Relevant professional training and experience / EUnderstanding of the need of Carers and former Carers / E
Ability to identify and analyse the needs of individuals and groups / E
The ability to effectively and appropriately communicate, both orally and in writing, to a wide range of groups and individuals / E
Knowledge of the relevant legislation and understanding of government policy and strategy relating to Carers and young Carers / E
The ability to recognise issues that are culturally sensitive and to develop strategies to tackle them / E
Ability to work independently and to prioritise one’s own work, to work effectively within a team and respond to the needs of individual Carers / E
Ability to work in a number of different venues and to travel independently around Oldham / E
Experience in monitoring and providing reports / E
Be willing to work flexibly and regulate hours in accordance with the needs of the work / E