Telford and Wrekin CVS,

The Glebe Centre,

Glebe Street,

Wellington,

Telford,

Shropshire. TF1 1JP.

TEL: (01952) 567800

GENERAL PRACTICE/HOSPITAL LINK SUPPORT WORKER

(FIXED TERM UNTIL SEPTEMBER 2015)

A few words about the organisation for which you will be working and the job you will be doing if you are successful.

About Telford and Wrekin Council for Voluntary Service (CVS)

Telford and Wrekin CVS aims to bring together organisations which are important in the life of the community so that they can work together effectively for the good of the area by:

  • improving co-operation;
  • expressing social needs;
  • sharing information;
  • helping to direct resources to areas of greatest need;
  • promoting direct services;
  • encouraging self-help.

It consists of representatives of voluntary and community organisations concerned with family welfare, disability, health, community affairs and amenities, together with representatives of the local authority and other statutory services.

It provides:

  • A forum for the exchange of ideas and evaluation of services.
  • Relevant information and support to voluntary and community organisations working in the town.
  • A variety of training to suit the needs of the voluntary and community sector.
  • A recruitment and placement service for volunteers which also aims to develop good practice in volunteering.
  • Information and support to Parents/Carers of Children with Special Educational Needs countywide.
  • Information and support to Adult Carers and Young Carers in the Borough.

The CVS is affiliated to the National Association for Voluntary and Community Action (NAVCA), the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) and

Volunteering England. The organisation is a member of the Institute of Fundraising.

The CVS has gained PQASSO, NAVCA Performance Standard, MATRIX and Volunteering England Quality Standard Assurance awards.

Telford and Wrekin CVS is a registered charity supported by grants in aid from the local public authorities and various funding bodies with which it has good relationships and is hopeful of continued support from them.

About the Carers Service (Carers Centre)

The Carers Service fundamentally provides advice, information and support to family carers in Telford and Wrekin. We help to raise awareness of carers’ assessments and appropriate professional services for carers to access. We provide a variety of support and advice which includes signposting information, one-to-one support, support groups and respite activities. The Carers service houses the young carers service (aged 5-18 years) alongside support for adult carers.

Further information on our service can be found at

About the Job

Post Title:21 hoursGeneral practice/Hospital link Support worker

Responsible To:The Carers Service Manager

Job Purpose:

  • To support adult carers who are registered with our service within the Borough of Telford & Wrekin.
  • To facilitate and develop links to General Practices, hospitals, health services and voluntary agencies for the benefit of carers and our service.
  • To support the service provision and activities of the Carers Service

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Enhance links with GP practices to develop a good practice guidance on carer engagement in General practice
  • To ensure carers are supported and have effective sign posting to carer related services
  • To ensure information displays in GP surgeries and Hospitals are kept up to date
  • To work alongside PALS and SATH colleagues in ensuring effective sign posting is in place
  • To support the carers champion lead representative-recruiting carers champions within workplaces community groups and organisations, providing information packs and supporting the future work of the initiative lead by Carers Partnership Board
  • To provide regular information stands within PRH identifying carers on admission and discharge ensuring relationships and links on wards and in waiting areas.
  • To work alongside the ERCS promotion and support carers in ensuring assessments are completed.
  • To promote and participate in carers assessments
  • To carry out other duties from time to time as appropriate.

The Carers Service operates a friendly, informal team. However, we aim to maintain the highest standards of service and efficiency. Experience of working in a small team in a busy office environment would, therefore, be an advantage.

Support, supervision and training, where necessary, will be provided.

Qualifications

Evidence of a solid general educationand GCSE English Language pass at A-C levelis required along with good keyboard skills and the ability to use Microsoft Office applications, i.e. Word, Excel, Outlook, Internet Explorer and an understandingor knowledge of Access.

Extracts From Conditions of Service

  • The post is for21 hours per week.
  • NJC salary spinal column point range 26 : Starting salary SCP26 £ 22,443(pro rata for21hours per week is £13,092 per annum).
  • Expenses of travel will be reimbursed.
  • Holiday entitlement - 4 working weeks plus public bank holidays as agreed and will not be less than the statutory minimum entitlement.
  • Superannuation - the employee may elect to join the Pensions Trust which attracts a minimum contribution of 5% from both employer and employee.
  • The postholder will be required to undertake anEnhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check undertaken bythe Criminal Records Bureau andto complete a questionnaire to assess any health and safety workplace needs through the Local Authority’s Occupational Health Service.
  • Normal office hours are between 9.00 am - 5.00 pm : Monday to Thursday; 9.00 am – 4.00 pm : Friday. “Out of Hours” work will occasionally be necessary. Time off in lieu can be arranged (overtime is not paid).
  • The postholder will be based in The Carers Centre at Glebe Centre, Glebe Street, Telford. TF1 1JP but may be required occasionally to work at another of our sites within Telford and Wrekin.

Further Information:

For an informal discussion contact Debbie Gibbon, Carers Service Manager on (01952) 262066.

Closing Date: 4pm Friday 23rd January 2015

PERSON SPECIFICATION
FACTOR / ESSENTIAL / DESIRABLE
Education/Training /
  • A relevant professional qualification NVQ Level 3 Health and Social Care or equivalent.
  • Numerate. Good standard of literacy. Commitment to personal Development.

Experience /
  • Demonstrate proven experience of working directly with carers and their families.
  • Experience of developing/delivering support plans and contributing to the monitoring and reviewing of plans.
  • Experience of working within a team in a demanding environment.

Skills, Abilities and Knowledge /
  • Excellent communication skills (verbal and written) and the ability to influence a variety of audiences.
  • Good negotiating and advocacy skills and the drive and commitment to achieve positive outcomes for service users and LA colleague’s.
  • Ability to work on own initiative, work well under pressure, prioritise work and manage time effectively either as part of a team or when lone working.
  • A good listener with the skills and qualities to engage, motivate and empower carers and their families/service users (including those who may be reluctant to engage) encouraging them to work positively with local services.
  • Ability to make effective assessment of need.
  • Working knowledge of Protection of Vulnerable Adults.
  • Understanding of the importance of confidentiality and the need to treat sensitive information in line with the Data Protection Act.
  • Friendly, approachable, caring, empathic, flexible, innovative, resourceful, reliable, responsible, methodical, non-judgmental, organised, assertive, tactful and decisive.
  • Ability to work effectively as part of a team within a framework of policies and procedures.
  • Good IT skills.
/
  • Knowledge and experience of delivering group work sessions.
  • The commitment and ability to develop positive relationships with service users, colleagues and external organisations.
  • Understanding of the varied needs of carers and their families.

Equal Opportunities /
  • Able to demonstrate integration of equality and diversity into practice and service delivery.
  • Understanding of rights and issues in relation to carers and families.

Other Requirements /
  • Willingness to work flexible hours, evenings and weekends.
  • Willingness to attend training and meetings.
/
  • A full current driving licence and access to own transport is important to meet the requirements of this post.

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