job pack (.doc)€¦ · web view · 2017-09-13please do not stick or glue paper to the back of...

Bolton Carers Support, Carers Assessment Worker 2017

Dear Applicant

Thank you for your interest in the above position with Bolton Carers Support. We look forward to receiving your completed application. Please fill in your application carefully, setting out the ways in which you meet the requirements outlined in the person specification. You should provide clear and concise examples of a time when you have had to use the necessary skills.

Your application should be typed or completed in black ink so it can be photocopied. The panel will consider the presentation of your application during the selection process.Your completed application should be returned by 5 pm on Wednesday 11th October 2017.

Late applications will not be accepted. Do not attach any documents such as CVs, reference letters or photocopies of your qualifications as these will be disregarded and will not be seen by the selection panel. Interviews will be held on Friday 20th October 2017.

We regret that, due to the high costs of postage, we are unable to write to each applicant who has not been shortlisted for interview. If you have not heard from us by 16th October, please assume you have not been successful on this occasion. We do not provide feedback to applicants at this stage of the recruitment process.

Please send your completed application to Michelle Clarke, Chief Officer, Bolton Carers Support, Thicketford Centre, Thicketford Road, Tonge Moor, Bolton, BL2 2LW (please mark the envelope ‘Confidential’). Or email it to [email protected]

Good Luck!

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Carers Assessment Worker

Recruitment Pack

mailto:[email protected]


This pack contains the following sections:

About Bolton Carers Support The Carers Support Network Equality and Diversity Guidance Notes Job Description Person Specification Terms and Conditions

About Bolton Carers Support

Caring responsibilities can affect anyone of us at any age and we may need to provide care for a parent, partner or child due to illness or disability. This can involve helping someone get up, washed and dressed, accompanying them to hospital appointments, administering medication, doing shopping, cooking and cleaning, providing emotional support or ‘supervision’. While caring is a natural part of our relationships and can be very rewarding, there are also times when it is physically and mentally exhausting.

There are over 30,000 carers in Bolton – and of these, almost 8,000 are providing more than 50 hours of care each week to family members, friends and relatives. Bolton Carers Support has a 20-year track record of delivering information and support to local carers aged 18 or over, but we have ambitious plans to do much more and we need to expand our staff team to help us turn our aims into a reality.

Our Vision

Bolton Carers Support wants all carers to feel valued and to receive the information, care and support they deserve.

Our Mission

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Bolton Carers Support is a well-established, confidential, first point of contact for carers. We meet the individual needs of carers by providing information, advice and emotional support. We engage, enable and empower carers to fulfil their caring role.

Our 7 Key Aims

1. Informed, empowered and confident carers2. Carers will have improved health and well-being3. Carers will be less isolated4. Carers will be trained and supported 5. Carers will be better off financially6. Carers will have regular time off from caring7. Overall, we will be a strong and effective carers’ organisation

Our Activities

Here are some of the many ways that Bolton Carers Support helps local carers. Because caring does not come with a manual, we provide advice and support to help carers find out about local services. We do this through the following:

Carers Helpline Information and Advice Appointments Short Breaks (meals out and day trips) Training (workshops and short courses) Benefits Advice Service Support Groups Newsletter, Fact-Sheets, Publications Awareness-raising about the needs of carers

The Staff Team

Michelle Clarke Chief Officer (28 hours)Ann Brown Admin & Finance Worker (14 hours)Peter Harmer Activities Co-ordinator (28 hours)Zoe Hill Outreach Worker (18 hours)Elaine Holt Benefits Advice Worker (18 hours)Bev Strang Carers Information & Advice Service Officer (28 hours)

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Angela Pagett Carers Information and Advice Service Assistant (21 hours)Georgette Kay Health Linkworker (20 hours)Saeed Anwar Support Group Co-ordinator (28 hours)

The Trustees

Bolton Carers Support is managed by volunteer trustees. Trustees are carers, former carers or supporters of Bolton Carers Support and are involved in all areas of work, including recruitment and selection. Staff members are accountable on a day-to-day basis to the Chief Officer, while the trustees are the employers of all staff.

Teamworking

All staff members work together and help each other out when needed. We recognise that while individual roles are important it is vital that we all work effectively as a team to ensure our overall aims are achieved.

Carers Assessments

This pilot project is initially funded by Bolton Council for 1 year. The Carers Assessment Worker will assess carers’ needs, concentrating on carer-focused outcomes and personal goals to help them in their caring role and maintain their health and well-being

Outcomes for the Carers Assessment Pilot

1 Carers have increased awareness of carers assessments and support available, and are enabled to make informed choices about care, support, health and well-being.

2 Carers have improved social integration and networks of support. Carers are aware of local services, facilities and resources and feel more confident accessing them.

3. Increased numbers of carers take up Carers Assessments and there is an improved level of carer satisfaction with the assessment and outcomes.

4. Through providing information and support to access

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preventative services, the Carers Assessment pilot will reduce the risk of earlier uptake of statutory high support services.

Equality and Diversity

Equalities and diversity are areas of great importance to Bolton Carers Support. It is fundamental that people are treated fairly, with respect and dignity. Bolton Carers Support will not tolerate any discrimination, victimization or harassment on the grounds of age, disability, gender or gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation.

We strive to take all practical steps to prevent discrimination and promote equality through our work, including making our services inclusive and accessible to carers from all sections of the community.

Equality and Diversity Monitoring Form

Bolton Carers Support values diversity and selects staff solely on merit. All stages of the recruitment process are monitored to check that discrimination of any kind is not taking place. To help us ensure this, we request all applicants to complete a Monitoring Form. This information is treated in confidence, separated from your application form as soon as it arrives, and only used for monitoring purposes.

How to apply: Guidance Notes

Bolton Carers Support is an equal opportunities employer. We aim to treat every applicant fairly. The information you provide in your application form is the only information we will use in deciding whether or not you will be invited for interview, so it is important that you complete it with care. To help you, please follow these guidelines:

1. Please complete all sections of the formIncomplete applications will not be considered.

2. Personal details and references

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Enter your personal details fully and clearly so we may contact you about your application. One of your referees must be your current or most recent employer. If you have not been employed before or have been out of paid employment for a long time, you should give the name of someone who knows you sufficiently well to comment on your ability to do the job. Any person who is related to you does not qualify as a suitable referee.

3. EducationPlease give brief details of educational, vocational and professional qualifications with attainment level. If you are shortlisted for interview you may be asked to bring proof of qualifications with you.

4. Employment HistoryProvide details of your employment history. State the position you held, starting with your most recent employer and give brief details of key achievements. Please note the salary you are currently on and any notice period for your current employer.

5. DisabilityBolton Carers Support welcomes applications from people with disabilities. As defined by the Disability Discrimination Act, 1995, disability is: A physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long term adverse effect on a person’s ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities. Please let us know if you need additional assistance in the event that you are invited to interview.

6. Personal DevelopmentPlease give details of any personal development you have undertaken, and dates. This may include formal courses that you have attended, voluntary work you have done or membership of association or professional groups. Think carefully about how you have developed your skills and note any relevant points here.

7. Supporting StatementThe supporting statement is a vital part of the application form and should be used to tell us how you meet the person specification and what experience you have relevant to the job description. Always remember to specify your personal responsibilities rather than those of your team. Bring in voluntary work as well as paid work if relevant.

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Only those candidates who clearly demonstrate they meet the person specification will be short-listed for interview.

8. Keep it conciseRemember that the selection panel will be sifting through lots of applications. Forms that stand out are those that are clear and concise, address each criteria in turn, and use bullet points and short sentences.

9. And finally…

Please do not use more than 1 additional sheet (if typing, please use font size 12 or 14) as additional or supplementary information will be disregarded. Please do not stick or glue paper to the back of the form as it may get caught in the photocopier.

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Hours of work 28 hours a week * Fixed term 12-month contract *(Possibility of extension subject to funding)

Salary scale Scale S01, Point 29 £25,951 (£20,761 actual for 28 hours)Reporting to Chief OfficerAccountable to Bolton Carers Support Management Committee

Outcomes for the Carers Assessment Pilot

1 Carers have increased awareness of carers assessments and support available, and are enabled to make informed choices about care, support, health and well-being.

2 Carers have improved social integration and networks of support. Carers are aware of local services, facilities and resources and feel more confident accessing them.

3. Increased numbers of carers take up Carers Assessments and there is an improved level of carer satisfaction with the assessment and outcomes.

4. Through providing information and support to access preventative services, the Carers Assessment pilot will reduce the risk of earlier uptake of statutory high support services.

GENERAL OBJECTIVES

The post-holder will encourage carers to have a Carers Assessment, raising awareness of carers’ needs and rights to an assessment under the Care Act 2014. The post-holder will assess carers’ needs and options to recommend a course of action, providing information and support to carers. Clear records of assessments and outcomes will be maintained, using paper and electronic recording systems. The post-holder will take a proactive role in developing the pilot scheme, and offer carers assessments in a variety of settings.

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Job DescriptionCarers Assessment Worker


SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES

Awareness-Raising

Use every opportunity to raise awareness about carers assessments and promote take up. This includes: visiting key organisations to publicise the service, giving brief presentations at meetings and events, and working with other staff members in the team to ensure widespread promotion.

Work with the Chief Officer / Carers Information and Advice Service Officer to develop publicity materials such as flyers and leaflets, and content for the website.

Act as the contact point for any external enquiries about Carers Assessments.

Publications

Contribute to articles for the Carers Contact newsletter and Caring Matters e-bulletin, and provide text for any internal or external publications as required.

Contribute to the annual report by providing case studies.

Carers Assessments

Take initial referrals to the service and deal with carers assessment enquiries, following up enquiries as required, providing timely information, and maintaining accurate records of enquiries on the electronic database.

Carry out carers assessments in compliance with the Care Act 2014 in relation to the impact of caring, and formulate and implement carers’ support plans when

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required. To undertake assessments in a variety of locations, including offices and carers’ homes. Visits may be prolonged and concentrated.

Following the carers assessment, develop an individual support plan with the carer with a focus on encouraging take-up of Bolton’s Carers Support’s services, such as the benefits advice service; short breaks; carers support groups; workshops and courses.

To make timely referrals to external services following assessment, and provide signposting information about voluntary and statutory services.

To make applications and requests for Personal Budgets for carers, liaising between the local authority and carers as required.

Complete Carers Emergency Card Scheme registration forms with carers and liaise with Careline (Bolton at Home) to ensure timely completion of registration.

Liaise with Bolton Carers Support (BCS) staff and external agencies for the provision of carers support / services following assessment. To follow up when required, e.g., if a carer requests reassessment due to significant changes in circumstances.

Liaise with and maintain a positive relationship with statutory and voluntary groups locally. Link into work with other partners, such as work with General Practices, to encourage referrals and to promote annual carers health checks.

Increase take-up of BCS services by active promotion and referral e.g. benefits advice service, support groups, courses, and short breaks.

Ensure clear and accurate records are maintained and provided to the local authority (initially using an electronic template while working with the local authority on direct data entry onto LiquidLogic).

Work with carers to promote independence, identifying their strengths and resources.

To update BCS database with concise records of contacts with carers.

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To use own initiative, and act independently, taking action on how outcomes for carers are best achieved following assessment.

Advocate with, and on behalf of, carers to ensure their needs are met.

Highlight serious and concerning issues to the Chief Officer and ensure that the organisation’s Safeguarding Policy is carried out.

The Carers Assessment pilot was developed as an action from the local Carers Strategy, produced by the multi-agency Carers Partnership Board. To attend occasional meetings of this Board, and possible other meetings, to provide updates.

Monitoring

Produce quarterly work and monitoring reports and required statistics for the funder as directed by the Chief Officer.

Routinely gather feedback from carers about the impact of carers assessments and follow-up support, gathering case studies and other material for monitoring and evaluation purposes.

Oganisational

Regularly attend supervision and team meetings and contribute to effective team working.

Work in a manner that adheres to equal opportunities principles in all work undertaken for and on behalf of Bolton Carers Support.

Adhere to all Bolton Carers Support service standards policies and procedures.

Carry out any other reasonable tasks commensurate with the post, as directed by Bolton Carers Support’s Chief Officer.

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Person Specification

AF = Application Form I = Interview

Requirement AF / I

(A)SkillsA1 Excellent communication skills (empathy / listening skills), ability to

identify key issues and problem solve, with an asset-based, motivational approach – often in situations where carers have high levels of stress

AF, I

A2 Ability to develop, maintain and review professional relationships with carers to avoid crisis situations, achieve change, and improve life opportunities.

AF, I

A3 Ability to assist or advocate for carers to represent their needs, views, and circumstances.

AF, I

A4 Interpersonal skills - able to work independently and as a member of a team, developing good relationships with colleagues and networking with external agencies

AF, I

A5 Ability to work on own initiative and prioritise own workload – ability to plan activities and achieve economic travel between venues to maximise appointment times.

AF, I

A6 Good organisation, data inputting and administrative skills, including IT competence (e.g. word-processing, databases, email)

AF, I

A7 Ability to maintain accurate, complete, and up-to-date records, ensuring information is recorded clearly, using appropriate IT systems.

AF, I

(B)Knowledge and ExperienceB1 Social Work qualification (Social Work Degree, DipSW, CQSW, CSS) and

recent Qualified Social Worker experience assessing client / carer needsAF, I

B2 Knowledge of current relevant legislation such as the Care Act 2014, and the ability to apply it in practice

AF, I

B3 Understanding of safeguarding children and vulnerable adults AF, IB4 Ability to respond to complex situations – ability to identify options, and

urgency of situation, and to plan and implement action to meet this.AF, I

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B5 Knowledge and understanding of key services carers can access AF, IB6 Experience of raising awareness about a service to increase referrals AF, IB7 Positive commitment to Equal Opportunities AF, I

(C) Work-Related CircumstancesC1 Full current driving license and access to transport. AFC2 Commitment to personal development through supervision and training AF, I

Terms and Conditions

A contract of employment (and Employee Handbook) is provided if appointed to the post, but a summary of the main terms and conditions of employment is set out below:

Name and address of employer

Bolton Carers SupportThicketford Centre, Thicketford Road, Tonge Moor, Bolton, BL2 2LW.

Probationary period The first six months of your employment are probationary. You or Bolton Carers Support can end your employment by giving two weeks’ notice during, or on expiry of, your probationary period.

Rate of pay Local Authorities NJC Scale S01 Point 29 £25,951 per annum (pro rata for 28 hours is £20,761) payable by credit transfer to your bank account on or about the 15th day of each month.

Normal hours of work

28 hours a week worked over 4 days.

Overtime rate Overtime must be agreed in advance with the Chief Officer, and is compensated with time off in lieu.

Breaks You are entitled to an unpaid 30 minute break if you work more than 6 consecutive hours.

Holiday year and entitlement

The annual leave year runs from 1st April to 31st March.

28 days per annum including the 8 normal bank / public holidays up to the end of your first year of employment, increasing by one

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additional day for each complete year of service, up to a maximum of 35 days per annum. Part time employee’s holiday entitlement is pro rata based on the number of hours worked.

Pension scheme There is a Pension Scheme, with 7% contribution from the employer. Employees also contribute to the scheme.

Disciplinary and grievance rules and procedures

Bolton Carers Support’s disciplinary and grievance rules and procedures are set out in the Employee Handbook.

Normal place of work

Your normal place of work is Bolton Carers Support’s office. You will be expected to provide carers assessments in a variety of locations, including carers’ own homes.

Management structure

You will be line managed by the Chief Officer. You also remain accountable to the Management Committee.

Notice to end employment

You must give one month’s notice (after probationary period has completed). Bolton Carers Support must give four weeks’ notice from the completion of your probationary period.

Sickness or injury Bolton Carers Support’s Sick Pay or Statutory Sick Pay.

Collective Agreements

There are no Collective Agreements with trade unions that affect the terms and conditions of your employment.

Type of contract This is a Fixed Term 12-month contract with the possibility of extension, subject to funding.

This document provides guidance for applicants interested in applying for the vacancy. It is neither an offer of employment nor a statement of the terms and conditions.

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