Job Title: Adult Carer Support Practitioner (AC/OC) Maternity Cover
Reporting to: Deputy Service Delivery Manager (AC/OC)
Work Base: Sanford House, Sanford Street, Swindon, SN1 1HE
Hours of Work: 30 hours per week (negotiable), 12 Month Contract
Job Purpose: Working as a member of the Adult Carers Support Team, by managing a caseload of carers and offering information, advice, carer conversations (care act), and support to carers. To contribute to the effective working of the Adult Carer Support Team, supporting other processes within the team to ensure continuity of service. To develop close working relationships with partner organisations in the statutory and voluntary sector and to assist with volunteer/student support, training, and contribute to the volunteers’ development and progress.
Salary: £24,480 (FTE) £19,848.65 (Pro Rata)

Key Responsibilities
Carer Support

• Manage a caseload to ensure that individual adult carers are supported appropriately, through signposting, Carers Assessments (Carer’s Conversations), reviews, contingency/support planning, and 1:1 support, and making referrals to appropriate services as needed. This will involve undertaking home visits as a lone worker ensuring the lone worker procedure is adhered to.
• Support appropriate carers to apply for funding including but not exclusively Carers Relief and Carers Support Scheme.
• Support the operation of the Carer Support Line (CSL), ensuring cover is available in case of absence of the scheduled worker(s) and that carers on CSL are contacted with in the agreed KPI.
• Respond to/cover queries from carers visiting the centre where these cannot be resolved by the CSL team.
• Undertake regular reviews of carers needs, signposting both internally and externally as required.
• Support Service Delivery by assisting other areas of the AC/OC Service as required, including registrations process and groups and activities.
• Keep up-to-date records of contact with carers and comply with centre monitoring and information systems.
• Raise awareness among carers of their rights and entitlement to services and benefits.
• Enable carers to access support, training, and opportunities for breaks as appropriate to the needs and

Supporting Development Work

• Develop close working relationships with partner organisations in the statutory and voluntary sector.
• Work collaboratively with other staff within all areas of Service Delivery to ensure a consistent approach in identifying carers and enable carers to access information, assessment, and service provision at an appropriate level.
• Contribute to the collation of information needs to assist the development of appropriate services and information for carers.
• Support any student placements the AC/OC team may have.
• Enable mechanisms for carers’ feedback on service gaps, to be used to address the support needs of carers through individual, group, and other carer networks as they develop.

Relationships

• To work collaboratively as a member of the Adult Carers Support Team sharing professional knowledge, experience, mutual support, and service development.
• To support other areas of Service Delivery as and when required in a proactive and positive way.
• To support in the production of regular monitoring reports and other ad hoc centre information requirements.
• To work collaboratively with all Swindon Carers Centre staff, volunteers, and students, exchanging professional knowledge, experience, mutual support, and service development.
• To support the Centre in the production of performance reports and other Centre information as required.

Other

• To assist with the recruitment and induction of new staff, volunteers, and student placements.
• To contribute to promotion of Swindon Carers Centre activities and campaigns.
• To attend meetings, conferences, and training relevant to the role as required and appropriate.
• To keep informed of new developments and legislation affecting carers.
• To role model the Swindon Carers Centre Behaviours Framework at all times.
• To recognise, support, and embrace the Mission and Values of Swindon Carers Centre.
• To have a commitment to your own personal development, a willingness to participate in individual supervision, and to undertake relevant training opportunities.
• To keep abreast of new developments and legislation affecting carers and feed this back into the AC/OC team, other Service Delivery areas and SLT.

Special Conditions

• Swindon Carers Centre is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults with care and support needs and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
• Team working is essential to the smooth running of the organisation. It is the nature of the work that at times, responsibilities and tasks may be unpredictable and varied. Where the occasion arises, staff are expected to work in a flexible way. Any additional duties will normally be compatible with regular working and the need to provide service continuity. If the additional responsibility or task becomes a regular or frequent part of the employee’s activities, it will be reviewed to assess whether it should be included in the job description in consultation with the employee.
• A driving license and access to a vehicle, insured for business use, is required for this post.
• Reasonable travel and lone working will be expected on occasion as part of this role.
• Flexible working hours including some evenings and weekends may be required.
• Due to the nature of our work with vulnerable individuals a Basic Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) is required for this post.
• All staff are expected to:
  • prepare for and participate in regular supervision sessions and the annual appraisal process as part of their performance management, and to support further personal development and training opportunities,
  • carry out their duties and responsibilities with due regard to the policies and procedures of Swindon Carers Centre.

How to Apply
Closing Date: Monday 5th June 2023 by 5pm.
Interviews: Tuesday 13th & Wednesday 14th June 2023.
Please note: Swindon Carers Centre may bring the closing date forward if we receive a high volume of applications.

For an informal discussion regarding this role, please contact them on 01793 975327, and ask to speak to Tina Richards, Deputy Service Delivery Manager (AC/OC).

To be considered for this position, you are required to complete the application form available on their website here www.swindoncarers.org.uk/working-with-us/ and outline how you meet the requirements of the job within the job description and person specification using the supporting information section of the application form. You can complete the online application form on their website or download the form.

Swindon Carers Centre is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. An Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check will be required for this post.

Swindon Carers Centre adhere to a policy promoting equality of opportunity. No CV’s. No agencies.

Many of their staff work flexibly in different ways. Please talk to them at interview about the flexibility you need. If you are an unpaid carer, they can discuss how they can help you to balance work and your caring role. They cannot promise to give you exactly what you want, but do promise not to judge you for asking.

Swindon Carers Centre will retain all unsuccessful applications for 12 months after the date of interview and may contact you during this time regarding future job opportunities. All applications will be destroyed following the 12-month period.