J O B V A C A N C Y
Essence Support Worker
2-year fixed term contract
35 hours per week - £21, 658 pa - plus pension and excellent holidays
The Essence Service provides ongoing support to people with a mild to moderate diagnosis of Dementia and their carers to enable them to have a full and active life in the community.
We seek a self-motivated and enthusiastic individual to provide one-to-one support for people with mild to moderate dementia and their carers via tailored personal plans. Excellent verbal and written communication ability is essential. IT skills and experience/knowledge of working with people with dementia are required.
Candidates are required to have a full clean driving licence and have access to a car for work. This post is subject to a DBS Enhanced Disclosure check.
Job Description
Post: Essence Support Worker
Location: Doxford Park
Responsible to: Essence Manager
Job Purpose
To provide practical, social and emotional specialised support to individuals who are living with a mild to moderate diagnosis of dementia and their carers.
Job Description
To ensure the provision of innovative interventions and continuous practical, social and emotional support to those living with a mild to moderate diagnosis of dementia and their Carers.
To develop a personal plan for the person with dementia and their carer, identifying appropriate interventions and barriers to maintain quality of life and independence.
Ensure the carers personal plan includes the carer’s needs in relation to their caring responsibility and their own personal needs and development.
To manage an active caseload ensuring all targets and KPIs are met.
To act as a navigator and a listening ear to people with dementia and their carers.
To promote a self-management approach which will empowers people with dementia to help themselves through peer to peer support and access to more specialised service e.g. financial planning and legal services.
To actively maintain the ‘Essence’ of the person with dementia – whether that be in the hobbies they enjoy, enabling everyday activities for as long as possible in their home and community.
Encourage and support the person with dementia to move into mainstream services, which can accommodate their needs and interests.
To ensure the Essence transitional pathway is adhered to and higher support services are sought for the person with dementia and their carers where appropriate.
Build a peer network that is supportive and offers opportunities for self-help and the sustainability for the person with dementia and their carer.
To ensure a robust referral pathway to VCS and statutory support across the city.
Support the carer of the person diagnosed with dementia to access support and advice to make known their life choices about their future care.
To actively promote, develop and market the Essence service liaising with partner agencies appropriately as an Age UK Sunderland representative
To ensure effective communication and joint working with the wider Age UK Sunderland teams
To support the recruitment, training, and development of volunteers involved in the delivery of the Essence Service
To keep accurate records of clients and volunteers via Charity Log in line with GDPR requirements.
To act as a safeguarding Alerter
To abide by and implement all policies and procedures of Age UK Sunderland, including being aware of and responsible corporately and as an individual for Health and Safety policy.
To undertake all reasonable tasks, in keeping with the level of responsibility of the post, as requested by the Director.
Person Specification
Post: Essence Service Support Worker
Responsible to: Essence Manager
Location: Doxford Park
Essential Criteria
Experience of supporting people with dementia and carers.
Experience of providing services to people living with dementia.
Ability to manage a busy workload and prioritise appropriately
Previous experience of working with vulnerable people
Possess excellent communication skills to deal with highly sensitive and emotional issues on a frequent and unpredictable basis.
Have a good understanding of volunteering and demonstrate evidence of the ability to recruit, train and retain volunteers.
Commitment to working in the voluntary sector
Be innovative with enthusiasm to take on new challenges.
Be a dynamic self- starter
Demonstrate a flair for organising
Ability to respond effectively to unplanned/ emergency situations.
A flexible approach to work
Maintain confidentiality at all times
Good standard of Education.
Have excellent IT skills, with ability to produce reports, databases and other key IT project management tools.
Possess a full, clean driving licence and have access to a car for work
For further information and to request an application pack you can email enquiries@ageuksunderland.org.uk or download one directly from our website www.ageuksunderland.org.uk. Alternatively send a large SAE for 93p to Age UK Sunderland, Bradbury Centre, Stockton Rd, Sunderland. SR2 7AQ. Tel: 0191 5141131. CV’s are not accepted for this role.
Closing date: Friday 10th June 2022 at 9.00am
Interview date: Friday 17th June 2022