COMMUNITY LINK WORKER

This is a fantastic time to join our Community Links Oxfordshire team to make a real difference to people’s lives. We are seeking to recruit additional team members to cover the South and West Oxfordshire area. Hours; Part time and full time (21-35) hours available working, Monday – Friday, school hours may be considered Salary; £13.11 – £13.64 per hour Benefits: ·28 days holiday, plus Bank Holidays. Increasing to 33 days after 5 years continuous service ·Charity paid cash health plan. For employees and dependants up to the age of 24. ·Employee Assistance Program available 24/7 ·Flexible working ·Charity sick pay ·Free on-site parking ·Pension scheme ·4 x salary life insurance (subject to pension scheme membership) ·Cycle to work scheme ·Blue Light Card entitlement Job Purpose: To listen to, support and empower people to maintain and retain their independence, health and wellbeing, enabling them to ‘live life to the full’. As part of our Community Team, you will work in local communities supporting individuals, families and groups, listening to them to find out what matters to them. Your role is to provide people with the information they need to be connected in their communities and to access the support they need to manage their health and care needs. We work closely with local health and social care partners, and you will work to develop these relationships with front line health and care professionals. You will be primarily home based, working in a locality team and taking referrals for clients in a geographical area.You will also be expected to work a minimum of one day a week in a hospital setting. You will need to be comfortable visiting people in their own homes.Additionally, you will work alongside the wider team to support community groups and events. A Community Link Workers duties will include: Working alongside people to prepare for their discharge from hospital, and immediately after discharge to ensure care and support is in place. Visiting people in their homes, using a strengths-based conversation to identify the support they need Encouraging people to maintain or renew links into their community by attending groups and events, occasionally transporting people in your personal vehicle Co-ordinating and delivering groups and events Building relationships with other health and social care professionals and other third sector providers to better support our clients Some Community Link Workers also work as social prescribers working closely with GP practices to provide non-clinical support to patients. MAIN DUTIES: Main duties: 1. Manage your own caseload, contacting and supporting clients through face-to-face meetings, telephone, video calls and attending client group meetings, helping them develop a support plan to achieve their goals. 2. Be part of the hospital team, working in a hospital setting at least one day a week supporting people to prepare for their discharge 3. Utilising a strengths-based conversation approach to help clients identify the most appropriate source of information and support and enable them to engage with activities, groups and other community programmes. 4. Provide information and support that helps people stay connected in their communities and continue to lead meaningful lives, whilst living at home safely and securely. 5. Maintain accurate records for the cases, groups and events that you support, and support initiatives to collect feedback from clients. 6. Responsible for recording and monitoring all work in a timely and accurate manner, ensuring client confidentiality and supporting the production of progress reports and evaluation of the service. 7. Be an active member of the wider Community Team, providing peer support, sharing good practice and new approaches, and assisting in identifying gaps in the service and taking steps to address them. 8. Build networks in an area, attending events and meetings and developing relationships with the organisations delivering relevant services in their area. 9. Maintain and grow your knowledge of local services and Age UK information and signposting best practice 10.Work collaboratively with Age UK Oxfordshire staff, health and social care professionals, and other organisations as is appropriate. 11.Additionally: · Work in accordance with Age UK Oxfordshire policies and procedures. · Take a pro-active approach to personal learning and development. · Attend team meetings, Age UK Oxfordshire staff meetings and other line management and training activities as appropriate. 12.Community Link Workers may also be asked to conduct other duties relevant to the role or in support of Age UK Oxfordshire including supporting volunteers and fund-raising activities. This job description is not restrictive or definitive and should be regarded as a guideline to the duties required. It may be amended in the light of changing circumstances following consultation with the post holder. The job description does not form part of the Contract of Employment. Qualifications/Education/Training Essential Requirement; Good standard of written and spoken English Relevant Experience Essential Requirement; Experience of working with older people and an understanding approach to their needs Experience of working collaboratively with other statutory and voluntary agencies Experience of providing relevant information and support to vulnerable people Desirable Requirement; Experience of working in the Charity environment and / or working with Volunteers and/ or in the community; Experience of working within a health/social care setting Relevant knowledge/Skills; Essential Requirement; Able to relate to people at all levels and in differing circumstances Competent IT skills including Microsoft: Excel, Word; Outlook and use of web browsers The ability to keep accurate, up to date records using client management systems Desirable Requirement; Good negotiation skills Knowledge of the support available in a locality Personal Attributes; Essential Requirements; An interest in helping people, supporting and enabling them to lead meaningful lives Strong values of dignity and respect for older people and their right to choice and control over their lives Be organised, able to prioritise, work well under pressure, and meet deadline. Able to work both independently and as part of a wider team Deal appropriately with sensitive and confidential matters A commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion Share the values of Age UK Oxfordshire Desirable Requirements; A holistic approach to providing services and support to older people Special Requirements; Prepared to work flexibly including occasional evening and weekends Use of a car is essential this post will be subject to a DBS check Reliable access to broadband during working hours. Closing date; 30th September 2024 Interview date; 10th October 2024