Carers Support Officer - Westbank
- Multiple Locations
- Part Time
- £24,651.83 FTE
Location:
North Locality - Bideford office/Homeworking
South/West Locality - Ivybridge/Home or Heathfield, Newton Abbot/Homeworking
Exeter Locality - Clyst Honiton Office/Homeworking
Hours per week:
North Locality - 21 hours per week (Mon, Wed, Fri 09.15 - 16.45)
South/West Locality - 25.5 hours per week (Tue 09.00 - 12.30, Wed, Thurs 09.00 - 17.00, Fri 09.00 - 16.30)
Exeter Locality - 22 hours per week (Wed, Thurs 09.00 - 17.00, Fri 09.00 - 16.30)
The post is fixed term until the 30 April 2025.
About Westbank:
Westbank is an award-winning, Devon-based registered charity established in 1986 and became a company limited by guarantee in 2007. The organisation was originally set up to provide practical and emotional support to people in the villages along with west bank of the River Exe. The organisation now works with communities and individuals across Devon.
Devon Carers is a service delivered by Westbank, and is one of the largest and most successful carer’s services in the UK, providing information and support to over 22,000 unpaid carers of all ages. Devon Carers is the focus for the delivery of a number of services for carers of all ages across Devon, including peer support, hospital services and young carers.
About Devon Carers
The UK economy saves over £198 BILLION every year because of the work that unpaid Carers do day in and day out. In Devon this saving is £1.5 billion, which represents a saving of £2854 per minute.
BUT WHO SUPPORTS THOSE CARERS?
You can.
Here at Devon Carers, we support over 27,000 unpaid carers, ensuring their health and wellbeing is taken care of.
Devon Carers is a service delivered by Westbank and is one of the largest and most successful carer’s services in the UK. Westbank is a well-established charity based in Exminster that aims to promote and improve the health and wellbeing of people in the local community, across Devon and beyond.
We are looking for people with caring values, who maybe want a new career challenge or to get a foothold in a new career in adult social care.
If you are somebody who sees themselves as respectful, compassionate and able to contribute and make a difference to people's lives, then we have opportunities for you. Come and join our dedicated, committed and fantastic teams.
About the role
No two days are the same for a Carers Support Officer: the work we do is hugely varied.
Here is a taster of what your role will include:
- Conversations with unpaid carers, identifying and supporting their needs (with reference to the Care Act 2014);
- Promoting preventative strategies; developing carers own strengths and skills, EMPOWERING them to make informed choices;
- Delivering 1:1 support for unpaid carers in line with their action/ support plans;
- Working collaboratively with the locality team, completing work within service delivery timescales;
- Promoting the rights and wellbeing of unpaid carers across Devon.
The Person
Personal qualities:
- Do you have excellent rapport building skills, especially over the phone, from that very first point of contact?
- Are you empathetic and emotionally intelligent?
- Are you able to draw information out of people; drill down to the essence of what they are really saying; and analyse.
- Are you confident holding challenging conversations?
- Do you have excellent communication skills? Can you demonstrate that you are articulate and can vary your approach depending on who you are talking to?
- Are you an active listener? Can you structure, plan and control a conversation without being the one who is doing all the talking?
- Do you have excellent administrative and organisational skills, with a keen eye for detail?
Previous experience:
- Experience of working in Health & Social Care, or a related field;
- Experience of providing one-to-one advice or support in a similar/relevant role;
- Knowledge/understanding of unpaid carers and their issues;
- Experience of working flexibly, from office/home and able to organise and prioritise work;
- Experience of gathering, recording and updating confidential information accurately in accordance with GDPR, Equality and Diversity regulations;
- Experience of on-line databases, and standard Office packages; MS Office and Teams.
- Experience of developing and maintaining constructive relationships with service users and professionals from other agencies and share information appropriately
- Experience of working as a member of a professional team to meet shared objectives.
A previous understanding of the Care Act 2014 is desirable, but a willingness to learn and understand about the Act is what really matters.
Additional information can be found in the Job Description.
DO I NEED EXPERIENCE IN THE ADULT SOCIAL CARE SECTOR?
Ideally - yes, but if you can bring all of the above personal qualities to the table, we’ll give you the tools to learn and develop in the role. We can deliver a full program of training to ensure you’re able to flourish in the role – all you need to do is demonstrate that you have the ability and essential skills we are looking for.
The rewards
As well as a competitive salary and enhanced annual leave allowance (33 days per year, inclusive of Bank Holidays). You’ll get a foot in the door to a rewarding career in the care sector and you’ll be making a difference DAILY.
Here’s a quote from one of our unpaid carers…
“You just made my year because you listened to me”. Imagine having that impact on someone; having the ability to change someone’s outlook and quality of life, just by acknowledging, giving credit and listening to them. This is why we do what we do.
Our charity is committed to supporting inclusion and diversity in everything we do, so we encourage all candidates who meet the requirements to submit their application.
Westbank is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is, therefore, subject to an Enhanced DBS check.
To apply
Please send a CV and covering letter about why you are applying for this job with reference to the person specification in the job advert and e-mail it to vacancies@westbank.org.uk mentioning the locality you are applying for.
Please note that without this covering letter, we will be unable to consider your application for shortlist.
To help us better evaluate your suitability for the role, please include answers to the following questions in your cover letter:
1. Do you have experience of carrying out structured discussions/interviews with clients to identify needs for i.e. personal support, learning, guidance and advice?
2. Do you have experience of de-escalating concerns with clients where they are indicating that they are suffering upset or distress?
3. Do you have experience of managing your own workload planning where there are competing demands?
Closing Date: 9am on Monday, 12th June 2023
Interview Date: Will be held on the 9th and 20th of June 2023.
Job Details
- OrganisationOther Organisations
- Work LocationExeterNorth DevonSouth HamsTeignbridgeDevonTorridge
- Work Postcode
- Reference
AC1984
- Occupational GroupSocial Care & Health
- Salary Details
£24,651.83 FTE
- Job TermFixed
- Appointment TypePart Time
- Hours
Please see the advert text for hours
- Closing Date
11/06/2023
- DBS Check Required
Yes