If you would like to discuss the role in more detail, please call 01872 266383 and ask to speak to Rebecca Kevern or Kerry Martin.
“Do you want to help in your local community by adding value to people’s lives”
“We are the leading independent charity in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly working to improve the wellbeing of people in later life and striving to support them to live the life they want to live”
Place of Work: The homes of our clients and our Active Living Hubs (depending on locality you work in).
Salary: £8.91 per hour (plus travel time and mileage expenses in-between clients)
Hours of Work: Flexible (zero hours contract)
The working hours can be flexible to suit your availability; to fit around an existing job, part-time course and other personal commitments. Active Living Administrators who will arrange your hours and visits according to client bookings. Please note due to the nature of the work no hours can be guaranteed. This type of contract may not be suitable for those who require a fixed minimum number of working hours for any reason.
Reports to: Active Living Team based at our Truro office, TR1 3BN
About the role:
We are seeking vibrant and self-motivated people to join our team of caring Active Living support Assistants who offer support to people within their own homes or our Community Hubs. The role is diverse and covers aspects of practical and companionship support to our clients. Responsibilities cover home / domestic support; such as cleaning and shopping, along with much needed activities or home administration; tailored to meet the individual needs of the clients.
We pride ourselves in delivering a person-centred approach and a willingness to adapt to a person’s needs and wishes
Our client’s continued wellbeing is paramount at all times so with consideration and compassion to their health needs you will deliver practical assistance in accordance with their individual wishes. This may include:
*Cleaning & pre-cleaning tasks
*Delivery and collection of laundry from the launderette
*Assisting with food preparation
*Meal Delivery
*Shopping
*Companionship & escort support
*Light Gardening
*Activities in the home/promotion of social inclusion where appropriate
*Home Administration (paperwork organisation and filing)
*Carers Break
*Supported Walks
*Support clients with video calls and social media to stay connected
Whilst continually communicating with your line manager regarding any welfare issues or concerns.
The role will offer opportunities to carry out holistic assessments for new clients wishing to access the service with an understanding of local support organisations and internal services.
Benefits:
*Comprehensive training (inc Dementia, MIDAS and specialist areas)
*Gain experience in the caring environment: a stepping stone into the valued career of caring
*Flexible working: We can arrange your hours around your existing commitments (another job, childcare, college/uni course etc.)
*Healthy Workplace Scheme (Mental Health Workplace First Aiders)
*High levels of line management and peer support
*Travel time and mileage expenses in-between clients
*Varied roles
*Rewarding and purposeful - Adding value to people’s lives
About you:
You will enjoy meeting new people, be confident and outgoing and like helping others. You will be motivated by making a real difference in the quality of people’s lives. You will need to be able to travel independently to client’s homes. You will need a warm and caring personality, and a willingness to learn; with an absolute commitment to reaching our standards in training.
In return, we will give you the opportunity to make a difference in our future and the opportunity to be part of our close-knit and friendly organisation. We also provide an excellent training programme that supports your personal development. Importantly, if you have ideas, we will listen and work with you to implement improvements.
By joining us you can make a real difference to people in later life.
To apply:
We ask all applicants to fill in our official application form as our recruitment process involves shortlisting against set criteria and the application form provides a standard format to request the information that we require.
Our application form and full Job Description will be sent in response to your interest or can be found on our website: www.ageuk.org.uk/cornwall, "Get involved", "Join Our Team". CVs are not required and no agencies please.
If you would like a paper application form, please provide us with your address.
The organisation is positive about employing people with disabilities. We know there’s a wealth of talent among people who have a disability as well as those who have experience of mental or physical health problems. So, if you need any support with your application or if you require your application in a different format please just give us a call on 01872 266383.
If you choose to disclose a disability on your application form and you meet the essential criteria set out in the person specification, we commit to inviting you to an interview.
--Full Job Description Below--
Main purpose of job
To enhance the lives of older people by offering a high-quality service in their own homes. This may include aspects of home support, gardening, activities or administration; tailored to meet the individual needs of the clients and aimed at supporting them to maintain independence and promoting well-being.
To offer a user-focused service, ensuring good practice, confidentiality and integrity at all times.
Due to the nature of the work no hours can be guaranteed. The working hours can be flexible to suit your availability and will be notified to you via the Active Living Administrator who will arrange your hours and visits according to client bookings. Please note that this type of contract may not be suitable for those who require a fixed minimum number of working hours for any reason.
Main responsibilities
To be responsible for the delivery of practical assistance in accordance with their individual wishes & circumstances, the care plan of the individual, and with full attention to good practice, cleanliness and considerations of others. This may include:
*Cleaning & pre-cleaning tasks
*Delivery and collection of laundry from the launderette
*Assisting with food preparation
*Meal Delivery
*Shopping
*Companionship & escort support
*Light Gardening
*Activities in the home/promotion of social inclusion where appropriate
*Home Administration (paperwork organisation and filing)
*Carers Break
*Supported Walks
*Support clients with video calls and social media to stay connected
Maintain regular communication and accept and seek consultation and care supervision from the Active Living Team, who hold overall responsibility for coordinating and monitoring the care plans of which the post holder is a part.
Ensure the service provided is of a high quality and responsive to individual client needs by participating in regular service reviews with the Active Living team, this should include regularly seeking feedback from people that use the service.
To accurately maintain records and worksheets, with full consideration to Data Protection. At all times respecting confidentiality and reporting any concerns or safeguarding issues to the Active Living Team. To use Share file and other IT platforms to share information safely.
Carry out holistic assessments for new clients wishing to access the service with an understanding of local support organisations and internal services.
Carry out any other duties as required by the Active Living Team, which are consistent with the duties and responsibilities of the post.
Key contacts and relationships
The post holder will be responsible to the Active Living Development & Admin Team or the Active Living Hub Manager depending on the locality they work in. They will meet regularly with other Active Living Support Assistants to develop the service and the team.
Key Competency and experience
Experience:
*Experience of engaging positively with a person in their own home
*Experience of practical support, including cleaning to a high standard
*IT experience in order to access client information via a safe and secure file sharing and transfer service and in order to participate in online training sessions and meetings as required (reasonable adjustments will be considered
Desirable:
*Gardening
*Care planning & risk assessing
*Experience in care / community work including working with people with dementia
*Safeguarding referrals
Skills & attributes:
*Ability to offer a high-quality Active Living service and understand the importance of customer retention
*Friendly and caring nature with a commitment to understanding the needs of the people who use the service
*Skill and ability to meet the training requirements of the post, including but not limited to data protection, health & safety, infection control, moving and handling, safeguarding, first aid, risk assessing and food hygiene; and skilled in applying this learning to all interactions with people who use the service
*Skill and ability to conduct yourself in a professional and considerate manner at all times, providing excellent customer service as part of an integrated experience
*Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
*Ability to form positive and constructive working relationships with colleagues, volunteers and the people who use our services
*Ability to offer a high-quality Active Living service and understand the importance of customer retention
*Friendly and caring nature with a commitment to understanding the needs of the people who use the service
Knowledge:
*Understanding of importance of infection control and PPE use; adherence to using and disposing of PPE correctly – Masks, Gloves & Aprons
*Understanding of and adherence to organisational Code of Conduct, and relevant polices including but not limited to Data Protection & Confidentiality, Safeguarding, Health & Safety and Fair treatment
*Understanding and adherence to the organisation’s Accident and Emergency Procedures
*Full understanding of the confidentiality requirements of the role; acting within the organisation’s policies and procedures, and the protocols of the team.
*Full Understanding and adherence to the Active Living Support Assistants Standards & Guidelines
*An understanding of, and interest in the people who access our services, their situations and the opportunities they may want and/or need
Other:
*Attending and achieving the required standards of training, including mandatory training. E-Learning and update sessions
*Ability to travel independently to various Home Support venues, arriving on time to meet the needs of the service
Job context
This post is subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring check.
Travel is an essential part of the role; the post-holder will therefore be required to travel independently to various day service venues in order to fulfil the requirements of the role.
The post-holder will be required to adhere to the organisations Code of Conduct and demonstrate commitment to our “Living Well” Values.
'Living Well' is an approach based on values which shape the way Age UK Cornwall & The Isles of Scilly works. We recognise that each person is an individual and we put them and their lifestyle needs at the forefront of all that we do. We believe that, by enabling a person to live the life they want, to the best of their abilities, using their own motivation to achieve their chosen lifestyle, they will attain a greater sense of well-being. This, in turn, is shown to have a positive impact on their health, reducing their dependency on formal health and social care and helping them feel more connected to the people and activities in their local community.
Office base
Community based with the requirement to work at different locations and venues.
The organisation reserves the right to require you to work at such other place of business of the organisation as the organisation may from time to time reasonably require.
COVID-19 Considerations
PPE training is given prior to starting and PPE, clinical waste bags and hand sanitiser will be issued to you. Our COVID-19 Guidance is reviewed regularly and we discuss procedures with clients, especially with regard to COVID-19 symptoms.
Closing Date: 30th November 2021