Would you like to help to deliver a service that makes a positive difference to the lives of vulnerable older people and their carers? We have an exciting opportunity for a Day Care Assistant at our Day Care Service in Maldon. You will have experience of supporting people with dementia, whether gained in a professional capacity or as an informal carer.
Maldon Day Care Service provides an opportunity for older people to mix socially in a safe environment and engage in stimulating activities with the support of trained staff and volunteers. A varied activity programme caters for a wide range of interests including quizzes, singing and gentle exercises, and a cooked lunch is also provided. Day Care also provides a vital respite break for family Carers. The role of Day Care Assistant involves assisting in the organisation and running of the Day Care Service, planning and leading activities, and helping to provide a comfortable, safe and stimulating environment for clients.
About Us:
Action for Family Carers is a thriving charity which for over 30 years has been providing support for Adult Carers and Young Carers – people with unpaid, caring responsibilities for others. We are a Carers Trust Network Partner and Trusted Charity. We provide support, information, counselling, Young Carer clubs and respite care across Essex, working within schools, with GP practices and in a variety of community settings.
What We Offer:
Salary: £22,028 pro rata (£12.10 per hour)
Contract: Permanent/Part -time
Hours: 9.30-3.30 Wednesdays
Location: Brickhouse Farm, Poulton Close, Maldon, Essex, CM9 6NG
Responsibilities will include:
Planning, organising and delivering stimulating activities in the Day Care setting.
Leading agreed activities with groups of clients.
Encouraging clients to talk and participate in discussions and activities.
Understanding clients planned outcomes using a person centred approach and contributing towards their achievement
You will need to be:
Enthusiastic about supporting people experiencing dementia and their families.
A good listener with excellent communication skills.
A good team player.
Able to work flexibly and independently.
Benefits:
Full induction and relevant training
Contributory pension scheme
24-hour Confidential Staff Helpline
An opportunity to help vulnerable families in the local community
A chance to be part of a supportive and friendly team
Closing date for applications is 5pm 7th January 2025.
We will be interviewing applicants on a rolling basis and reserve the right to close the application window if we appoint a suitable candidate.
Job Description
ROLE PURPOSE:
To assist in the organisation and running of a high quality Day Care Service, helping to provide a comfortable, safe and stimulating environment for clients.
MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Operational Management & Service Delivery:
1. Planning, organising and delivering stimulating activities in the Day Care setting.
2. Leading agreed activities with groups of clients · Encouraging clients to talk and participate in discussions and activities.
3. Understanding clients planned outcomes, using a person-centred approach, and contributing towards their achievement, identifying when outcomes are not being achieved.
4. Maintaining required quality standards of service delivery.
5. Maintaining confidentiality at all times.
6. Reporting any changes noticed in client’s behaviour, which may reflect health or emotional difficulties and to be aware of and ensure adherence to individual client care plans, including any special dietary needs.
7. Assisting clients with personal care as required, in a discreet and sensitive manner, recognising and respecting their dignity at all times.
8. Assisting clients with mobility issues and understanding their needs · Helping clients with eating / drinking as required.
9. Undertaking the daily cleaning schedule for the Day Care Centre in line with the agreed procedure.
10. Delivering continuous improvement in service quality and performance.
11. Complying with Day Care Services administrative duties including recording attendance, reporting following sessions and planning the activity programme.
12. Carrying out any other duties as directed by the Chief Executive Officer.
Team Working
To work as a team member:
1. Participating fully in Day Care services activities and tasks alongside other team members.
2. Effectively communicating with other team members before, during and at the end of sessions.
3. Being supportive to other staff members, showing flexibility where needed.
4. Ensuring that all communication channels are open and that information flows up, down and across the team with appropriate reporting to the Manager.
Finance and Administration
1. Ensuring that daily attendance sheets are accurately maintained and submitted within the required timescales
Safeguarding, Health, Safety and Risk Management:
1. Being responsible for own health & safety matters and within area of responsibility.
2. Following risk assessments and identifying new or changed risks so that they can be managed and mitigated where possible.
3. Complying with the risk assessment for the Day Care services sessions and all buildings related to the organisation.
4. Ensuring full compliance with Health & Safety requirements including training as requested.
5. Ensuring appropriate reporting of and response to near misses and incidents.
Other:
1. Ensuring full compliance with all Policies and Procedures including but not limited to:
Financial Procedures
Safeguarding Policy and Procedures
Equal Opportunities
Health & Safety
Data Protection
2. Taking responsibility for self-development, identifying learning opportunities and attending relevant training.
Person Specification
Experience:
Essential
1. Providing support for vulnerable older people / people affected by dementia.
Desirable
1. Working or volunteering within a charity or voluntary and community sector organisation.
2. Organising activities for vulnerable older people / people affected by dementia.
Knowledge, Training and Qualifications:
Essential
1. Understanding of safeguarding of vulnerable adults
Desirable
1. Knowledge and understanding of dementia and best practice in supporting people affected by dementia.
2. Undertaking risk assessments.
3. NQV Level 2 in Health and Social Care or equivalent professional qualification.
Skills:
Essential
1. Excellent listening and communication skills.
Desirable
1. Ability to assess needs, identify priorities and review and develop practice.
2. Ability to build positive relationships with service users and families.
Personal Qualities:
Essential
1. Empathy for people experiencing dementia and their family carers.
2. A positive, non-judgmental and solution-focused attitude.
3. Able to work as part of a team.
4. Proactive and able to use initiative.
5. Able to work flexibly and capable of managing a range of diverse tasks.
6. Able to maintain professional boundaries.
