| Duration: | Until 31st March 2027 (extension subject to contract with commissioner) |
| Hours & Working Pattern: | 20 hours per week (Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 1.30pm) possible as job share |
| Salary: | £ 29,456 per annum pro rata (actual £15,922) |
| Probationary Period | 3 months |
| Based At: | Thomas Fields Independent Living Scheme, Brown Edge Road, Buxton |
| Reporting To: | Chief Operating Officer |
Purpose:
Providing holistic support that enables residents of the Thomas Fields Independent Living Scheme in Buxton to maximise their independence and wellbeing. This includes arranging guest speakers and providing 121 advice and signposting to the practical, emotional, and social support needed by residents so they are feeling supported, confident, and empowered. All support is delivered within a strengths‑based approach that promotes wellbeing, independence, confidence, and overall quality of life.
Duties & Responsibilities:
- To organise and run information and advice activities through one-to-one support as well as group events, ensuring that contractual obligations are met.
- Be the first point of contact for service users on wellbeing matters, making sure
- their needs are sensitively and correctly assessed.
- the appropriate support is given or arranged through other services by the scheme provider, Connex or an external organisation.
- that support is flexible and responsive to any additional short-term support needs, e.g. in the event of an emergency or a person’s needs changing.
- that where necessary, safeguarding or other concerns are escalated accordingly to ensure clients receive the support needed.
- Research, collate and promote a wide range of information and advice to support the wellbeing and independence of the residents, including subjects such as hydration and nutrition, falls, digital security, energy efficiency as well as for social, leisure and recreational opportunities in the Buxton area.
- Organise frequent group sessions on subjects of wellbeing and interest for the residents, inviting expert speakers to provide a high quality offer.
- Engage frequently and methodically with service users, volunteers and other stakeholders to review their needs and ascertain feedback on the service to ensure the service meets the expected outcomes.
- Liaise and communicate with the Independent Living Scheme staff to ensure that relevant information about residents is passed on so they feel safe, integrated and supported in their living environment.
- Recruit, induct and supervise volunteers to help with the delivery of the service, and ensure their ongoing development through appropriate support and training.
- Promote the Wellbeing Advice and Support Service proactively and effectively to achieve the best possible take-up for one-to-one as well as group sessions.
- Collate all monitoring data required to demonstrate the outcomes and quality of the service and prepare the relevant reports for internal and external stakeholders.
- Ensure that service user data is processed and recorded as required and in line with agreed procedures such as GDPR.
- Assist in the service being delivered within the defined budget and ensure that all expenditure is correctly recorded.
- Undertake and update risk assessments for the service, taking the appropriate action with regards to any identified risks.
- Comply with all Connex Community Support policies, procedures and relevant statutory requirements as well as with the policies and procedures of the Independent Living Scheme provider.
- Carry out other appropriate duties as may be required from time to time.
Person Specification:
Essentials
- Desire to provide support and help people, most of whom will be of older age
- Patience and empathy for the needs and expectations of service users, most of whom are older and may be affected by a long-term health condition
- Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build relationships with a variety of people from different backgrounds.
- Very good listening, verbal and written communication skills.
- Strong interest in what information and advice older people may need or be interested in to enhance their wellbeing and live independently.
- Ability to search for and identify information for people in need along with ability to present such information in a clear and concise way.
- Strong ability to work on own initiative.
- Good organisational skills and ability to handle conflicting work pressures.
- Confident and self-sufficient IT user, particularly Outlook, Teams, Microsoft Word and Excel, including for monitoring and reporting purposes.
- Non-judgemental disposition and commitment to principle of confidentiality.
Desirables:
- Experience of working in a support function helping older people.
- Experience of working in housing for older people.
- Experience of working volunteers, including their recruitment and support.
Flexibility:
We are a small team and therefore expect our staff to be versatile in their approach to tasks. We will consider requests for flexible working in balance with business needs.
Disclosure and Barring Service Certificate:
Any job offer is made subject to the satisfactory completion of all required pre‑employment checks. This post will require a certificate of enhanced disclosure issued by the DBS which we will apply for on a candidates behalf.
If the DBS check is outstanding at the proposed start date, the individual must not undertake any regulated activity until the DBS has been received and approved. In such circumstances, the individual may either commence work in a non‑regulated role or have their start date delayed until the DBS process is complete.
For more information on how to apply for this position, please send an email to: recruitment@connex.org.uk
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