The Role of the Community Link Worker
Community Link Workers are the conduit through which local information, advice and support flow. You will link clients to services, provide relevant information from a variety of sources, seek solutions to problems, support clients through a personal crisis around finance, health or medical diagnosis, housing issues and any concerns which are a barrier to older people living a full and active life.
You will play a key role in improving access to public services that benefit older people, and therefore good local knowledge is essential.
We provide written information and factsheets which can be sufficient for many people, but those with greater needs require information and advice delivered face to face, often backed up with practical support to resolve their problems.
Appropriate diagnosis is the key to effective and efficient service provision, you will have the skills and expertise to explore within the clients circumstances and correctly identify the problems or concerns presented, decide and agree a plan of action, identify urgent interventions and prioritise further actions to be taken. Any advice you give must take into account relevant legislation.
You will maintain regular contact with community groups, especially those operating in rural locations.
You will encourage your clients to take responsibility and make informed decisions whilst providing information, advice and practical support.
You will work closely with other agencies, particularly local councils, Adult and Community Care, Department of Works and Pensions (DWP), energy providers and other services, but only with the agreement of your clients and you will maintain confidentiality at all times, whilst being aware of discrimination or abuse for which you will action relevant protocols.
By providing information, advice and support, you will encourage your clients to take up their benefit entitlements, access public services, exercise consumer choice, and play a full part in their community and society. This is particularly important at a time of major government changes to policy, law and services for older people.
Government policy increasingly focuses on extending choice in public services, increasing independence and giving people more personal responsibility. To this end the existing service has seen a significant increase in enquiries around benefit entitlement and how changes in circumstances can alter eligibility.
This significant increase in enquiries has led us to recruit extra staff and place a dedicated Manager at the helm to guide the service forward.
CDM
September 2015