Community Dementia Advisor

Job description

Job responsibilities

To promote the Sandwell Community Dementia Support Service within their own local town, developing a network of support from health and social care professionals, encouraging referrals to the service through the Single Point of Access at the earliest opportunity.

To provide structured support to both the person with dementia and their carer for all allocated cases, following the agreed service pathway.

To record within the shared CRM database (Charit yLog) all actions undertaken and action points to follow up, as required, throughout the persons journey with dementia.

To co-develop with individuals with dementia and their carers and supporters, an agreed wellbeing/support plan, building on the initial assessment of the Dementia Navigator, checking and monitoring the outcomes to ensure quality care and provision is in place to support the person to remain living in their own home, avoiding unnecessary admission into hospital or longer-term care.

To work collaboratively with Dementia Navigators to develop and deliver Preparing for the Future training, supporting people with dementia and family carers to create their Advance Care Plans and put in place Lasting Powers of Attorney.

To ensure that information made available to people experiencing dementia and their carers is provided in the appropriate style that is easily understood, helpful and modified as necessary to suit individual needs.

To reach-out to seldom heard groups, ethnic minority communities, people with sensory disabilities and LGBTQ people, minimising barriers to accessing the service and providing a welcoming response.

To seek within the Provider Collaborative and/or outside the partnership additional support for individuals and families, to access alternative languages and/ or to meet cultural needs, ensuring that the service is responsive and promotes dignity and respect, choice and control for individuals and their carers.

To develop community networks to encourage and support people with dementia and families to attend arts and leisure activities to optimise their talents, strengths and interests.

To signpost carers to local resources at various stages of the journey, if necessary, acting in an advocacy role and accessing information they need, whilst being mindful of the intention to promote independence, choice and autonomy.

To build understanding of dementia and coping strategies for people with dementia and families, encouraging them to live well at home for as long as possible

To act as a mentor and/or advocate to carers to enable to balance their need with those of the person they care for.

To ensure that all monitoring and evaluation tools are accurately and fully completed and entered onto the Charity Log Database.

To develop and contribute to an evolving database of local information contacts and experience

To contribute to ensuring continual improvement of the service and growth within Provider Collaboratives knowledge base.

To develop networks with partner and local organisations and traders with a view to raising awareness of dementia and maintaining a dementia friendly community.

To attend regular staff meetings and supervision with the Service Development Lead on a regular basis.

To attend training sessions as required and agreed as part of continued professional development.

In conjunction with the Service Development Lead and other colleagues, partner organisations within the service, to identify gaps in provision of support services.

Ensure good team working relationships.

To safeguard clients using the reporting system; to notify the Service Development Lead of any event or likely event that compromises the safety of a service user, family member, citizen or paid worker. In addition, to work alongside any health and social care professionals to protect and prevent harm.

Please note, it is a standard condition that all trusted staff may be required to carry out any other reasonable duties which are within the scope of the post, as set out by the CEO of the employing organisation or Provider Collaborative Lead management to ensure robust delivery of this service.

Person Specification

Personal Attributes

Essential

• Ability to stay calm and productive when there are urgent deadlines to be met.
• A diplomatic approach to people when dealing with conflicting priorities.
• A can-do attitude with a high level of personal motivation and pride in their work.
• Empathetic to the feelings and needs of service users, their families and carers.
• Demonstrates respect for equality and diversity and works to actively promote an inclusive work environment and service.
• Demonstrates commitment to own learning and continuous improvement through learning and developments.

Skills, Knowledge and Experience

Essential

• Knowledge of dementia, person-centred approaches, issues that affect family carers and availability of local services.
• Experience of working in a busy environment and supporting others in a team.
• Record-keeping skills and writing ability of a high standard suitable for written communication with service users and professionals, production of publicity materials and reports.
• Excellent inter-personal skills.
• Ability to work independently and on own initiative.
• Excellent personal organisation and time management.
• Strong attention to detail and pride in accuracy.
• Excellent IT skills with confident use of MS Office packages including Word, Excel, Outlook and Power Point.
• An understanding of client confidentiality (GDPR).
• Knowledge of and ability to work to Adult Safeguarding Procedures, Lone Working Procedures and the Mental Capacity Act
• Full current UK driving licence and access to a vehicle to travel independently across the service area.

Desirable

• Experience of providing support for people living with dementia and family carers in community settings.
• Experience of community engagement.
• Good networking skills.
• Experience of CRM systems and database management.
• Web Browsing and Social Media experience.
• Experience of working with voluntary and statutory bodies.

Qualifications

Essential

• Level 2 dementia qualification (or willingness to work towards achieving this qualification) or a similar qualification and/or equivalent experience, commensurate with the responsibilities of this role.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer details

Employer name

Murray Hall Community Trust

Address

Murray Hall Community Trust

St. Marks Road

Tipton

West Midlands

DY4 0SL

Employer's website

https://www.murrayhall.co.uk (Opens in a new tab)