CONFIDENTIAL MNH
Dear Applicant,
Thank you for expressing an interest in joining the Age UK Hertfordshire Home Helper Register as a casual worker. Please find enclosed application form, job description, and person specification for this position.
Please only complete this form if you are happy to:-
ü Work casually with no guarantee of hours
ü Are 18 years or over
ü Receive no travel expenses
ü Pay £44 for an enhanced DBS check (this £44 is reimbursed after 6 months)
Please note that we do pay holiday pay.
If you are unsure about any of the above conditions please contact the HR Team on 01707 386068.
If you would like to apply completed forms should be returned to the address at the end of the application form.
Please be aware that it is not always possible for us to reply to every applicant. Therefore, if we wish to take your application to the next stage, we will contact you within eight weeks.
Thank you for the interest you have shown in working with Age UK Hertfordshire’s Help in the Home Service. We look forward to receiving your application.
The Help in the Home Team
JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title / Home HelperDepartment / Help in the Home
Location / Customers’ homes, in agreed areas
Hours / Casual contract, flexible hours, weekdays between 9am to 5pm
Rate of pay / £7.85 per hour plus regular holiday pay
Reports to / Help in the Home Coordinators
Age UK Hertfordshire is an independent charitable organisation which observes the values, principles and good practice of Age UK the federation and consequently has been granted a licence to use the well-known name, Age UK, which is respected throughout the county.
Our mission is to “promote the well-being of all older people and to help make later life a fulfilling and enjoyable experience”. To achieve this mission we need to involve older people directly in defining needs, determining priorities and exerting control over the decisions which affect their lives.
Scope:
The Help in the Home service is designed to give support to older people and people with disabilities in the community, enabling them to stay living in their own homes for as long as they are able and want to do so. It is a ‘paid for’ cleaning, domestic tasks and shopping service.
Home Helpers are trained to support and understand the needs of older people and to provide a high quality, caring service.
There is a team of office based co-ordinators with additional support provided by volunteers. Home Helpers are appointed as demand in the area dictates.
Main purpose of the post:
To make regular visits to Help in the Home customers, working independently to provide practical help as required e.g. housework, shopping, laundry and also to give support and stimulation to ensure the customer stays safe and healthy. No personal care is involved.
The work and hours to be undertaken will vary according to customers’ needs and the Home Helper’s availability
Responsibilities/ Duties / Tasks
1. Housework, which may include:
o Cleaning – including kitchen, bathroom/toilet
o Vacuuming
o Dusting/polishing & tidying throughout the house
o Laundry/ironing
o Changing bedding
o Changing curtains
o Cleaning windows/wiping paintwork (inside)
o Food preparation
o Sorting/clearing cupboards/fridge, checking food dates
2. Shopping, prescription collection, bill paying;
3. Helping with household administration e.g. writing shopping lists, reading/sorting post, posting letters, making/changing appointments;
4. Reporting any concerns about the client to the Help in the Home office;
5. Attending mandatory training courses (the Home Helper Induction day - includes moving and handling, food hygiene and health and safety) and information update sessions as required. First Aid and Dementia awareness training is also mandatory.
6. Providing basic information about other Age UK Hertfordshire services and referring as appropriate;
7. In the event of an emergency situation arising, following the emergency procedures as set out in the Home Helper’s Handbook;
8. To read and comply with policies and procedures of the organisation, in particular, the Confidentiality, Health & Safety and Gifts, tips and bequests policies;
9. Complete paperwork to record and report work – meeting return deadlines.
Extra Duties
1. Provide relief cover for other Home Helpers as availability allows;
2. Carry out pre-service visits/risk assessments after training and as availability/capability allows;
3. Help market the service and the charity to prospective customers/service users and workers/volunteers
‘In addition to the duties and responsibilities list, the job holder is required to perform other duties assigned by the line manager from time to time which are commensurate with capability and status’.
Additional Information
Confidentiality: Attention is drawn to the confidential aspects of this job and personal responsibility and liability under the Data Protection Act 1998. Matters of confidential nature, including information relating to clients or staff, must not, under any circumstances, be divulged to any unauthorised person.
Health & Safety: The post holder is required to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of other people who may be affected by their acts or omissions at work and to ensure that statutory regulations, policies and codes of practice and departmental safety rules are adhered to.
Equal Opportunities Policy Statement: We believe that equality for all is a basic human right and actively oppose all forms of unlawful and unfair discrimination. We celebrate the diversity of society and are striving to promote and reflect that diversity within this organisation.
External Relations: The post holder must ensure that customers, relatives, staff from other agencies and members of the public (all regardless of their attitude) are dealt with in a friendly, courteous and efficient manner as expected of a caring organisation.
Quality Assurance: We expect the service to be delivered with sensitivity and in a way that acknowledges the customers’ rights to dignity, respect and choice at all times, regardless of their physical or mental frailty
DBS (formerly CRB): This role requires the post holder to have an Enhanced DBS check for Regulated Activity
References: Appointment of this position is subject to satisfactory references.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
The requirements stated below relate solely to the duties and responsibilities laid out in the Job Description. Applicants should provide evidence of their ability to meet the following criteria.
CRITERIA / Method of assessmentKNOWLEDGE
Awareness of Health and Safety issues within the home. (Essential) / A & I
Knowledge of basic food and home hygiene. (Essential) / A & I
Awareness of other services available to older people. (Desirable) / I
SKILLS & ABILITIES
Good communication skills, especially with people with hearing loss, or who are forgetful or confused. (Essential) / I
Competent with handling money and carrying out simple paperwork. (Essential) / A & I
Able to show discretion and maintain confidentiality. (Essential) / A & I
Good record keeping skills including time sheets and cash recording. (Essential) / A & I
Able to organise own workload effectively and use own initiative. (Essential) / A & I
EXPERIENCE
Experience of housework / cleaning (desirable) / A & I
Experience of working/living with older people, in their own home. (Desirable) / A & I
QUALIFICATIONS, TRAINING & EDUCATION
A level of basic education in English and Maths; (Desirable) / A
Training in Home Economics and Hygiene (Desirable) / A
Training in First Aid and Manual Handling (Desirable) / A
ATTITUDE & PERSONAL CIRCUMSTANCES
Ability to work independently. (Essential) / A & I
A practical, caring and patient disposition. (Essential) / I
Sensitivity towards, and understanding of, the needs of older people and the contribution they make to our society. (Essential) / A & I
Common sense and a flexible approach to work (Essential) / I
A willingness to cover for other Help in the Home staff during periods of absence. (Desirable) / I
Methods of Assessment: Key to abbreviations
A / Application Form (these are also shortlist criteria)
I / Interview
AGE UK HERTFORDSHIRE HOME HELPER
APPLICATION TO JOIN THE REGISTER OF CASUAL WORKERS FOR HELP IN THE HOME
Please DO NOT include a CV. ONLY Application Forms will be considered when short-listing. Please type or use a black pen.
Personal DetailsForename(s) ______Surname______
Address ______
______Postcode:______
Telephone No. ______
Mobile No. ______
Email. ______
Where did you see this post advertised? ______
Which areas would you be happy to work in?Please indicate by ticking which areas you are able to work in:
Welwyn Garden City (AL7, AL8) / Any other areas in Mid and North Hertfordshire (please specify):Welwyn (AL6)
Hatfield (AL9, AL10)
Stevenage (SG1, SG2)
Hitchin (SG4, SG5)
Letchworth (SG6)
Baldock (SG7)
Royston (SG8)
When will you be available for work during the week?
Please enter the hours (between 9am & 5pm) that you are available to work:
Monday / Tuesday / Wednesday / Thursday / Fridaye.g. 9am – 1pm
Please tell us of any other work or commitments when you would not be available:
______
Can you work during school holidays? ______
Are you a smoker or non smoker? ______
Are you happy to work in a smoker’s home? ______
Do you have any allergies? ______
Would you prefer a house without pets? ______
National Insurance Number: ______
ReferencesPlease provide the details of THREE referees.
Please ensure that those named are willing to provide a reference before submitting the form. One of the referees should be your current or most recent employer. If you are at school, college or university or have recently left please give the name of your teacher or lecturer. Referees must not be members of your family or spouse/partner; they must have known you for a minimum of two years.
NB: If you are short listed for interview, all 3 of your referees will be contacted unless
you place a cross in this box:
Name: / Address and postcode: / Tel:Email:
Relationship:
Name: / Address and postcode: / Tel:
Email:
Relationship:
Name: / Address and postcode: / Tel:
Email:
Relationship:
Current or Most Recent Employment (if within the last 5 years)
Name and address of Employer:
Current/Most Recent Job Title:
Dates of Employment (To/From):
Brief Description of Duties and Responsibilities / Key Achievements:
Reason for leaving: / Notice Period Required:
Do you have any outstanding disciplinary issues with your current employer (either pending or on file)? If yes please give details:
Previous Employment
Please complete each column and explain any breaks in employment. Start with your most recent previous employment and list in descending date order.
Dates (to/from) Month/Year / Employer (Name and Address) / Position Held and main duties / Reason for LeavingSkills, Abilities, Knowledge and Experience
Please answer each question providing examples where necessary. This is your opportunity to demonstrate why you feel you are suitable for the Age UK Hertfordshire Home Helper role.
1. Please tell us why you want to become an Age UK Hertfordshire Home Helper.
2. How would you maintain discretion and confidentiality in this role?
3. Please provide an example of when you had to make use of excellent record keeping / cash handling skills?
4. What do you understand the needs of older people to be, and what contribution do you feel they make to society?
5. Please provide an example of when you have had to use your own initiative and organise your workload effectively?
6. Please describe an occasion when you have had to work independently.
7. Please give details of any other experience that you think will be relevant to this role i.e. work with older people in a voluntary or paid capacity.
8. Qualifications / Training / Knowledge / Experience (please tick the relevant box and comment or provide details)
Ö / Comments / detailsA basic level of education in English and Maths
Training in First Aid and Manual Handling
Basic Food Hygiene
Health and Safety (esp. relating to issues present in the home of an older person)
Do you hold a full current UK Driving Licence? YES / NO
Do you have access to a car? YES / NO
Do you have any penalty points on your Driving Licence? YES / NO
If ‘yes’ please give details
______
Relationships with Current Staff / TrusteesHave you ever previously been employed/volunteered with or sought employment with Age UK Hertfordshire?
YES / NO
If ‘Yes’ please give details:______
Are you related to any current Staff Member, Volunteer or Trustee of Age UK Hertfordshire?
YES / NO
If ‘yes’, please give details:______
Equality Act 2010Do you have any health conditions which may impair your ability to carry out your duties or attend an interview?
YES / NO
If ‘yes’ please give details in order for us to assess whether there are any reasonable adjustments we could make to assist you
______
Asylum and Immigration Act 1995Do you have permission to work in the UK?
YES / NO
Please provide details in the space below:
______
Prior to commencing employment you will be required to provide evidence that you are entitled to work in the United Kingdom
Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974This section of the application must be completed in order for your application to be considered for short listing
The position for which you are applying involves contact with vulnerable adults as defined by the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006, it is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975. You are therefore required to declare any convictions, cautions, reprimands, warnings or bindovers you may have even if they would otherwise be regarded as ‘spent’ under this Act, but exclude any convictions that would not appear on an Enhanced DBS Check. Please visit https://www.gov.uk/disclosure-barring-service-check for more details.
Have you ever been convicted
of a criminal offence? Yes No