Dementia Support Worker

Salary: £26,000 per year

Dementia Support Worker x 2 (Groups)

Salary: £26,000per year 

18.5 hours per week

Location – office base Castleford / Hybrid working – full driving licence and access to vehicle essential

fixed term contract – initially 12 months

Overview

This unique service needs a team of two, both working half a full-time job to run programme sessions for individuals with mild to moderate dementia. The two will work closely together, share a passion for organisation, enjoy developing creative session materials to stimulate and entertain participants and generate positivity, keeping everyone focussed and having fun. Experience of working with people who have dementia, in either a paid or voluntary capacity, is desirable for this role. Your work will be different each week, but will include prepping session plans, selecting session equipment, assessing people, working with them in weekly sessions in venues across the district and posting reports.

These are the main tasks involved:

– Take requests for information and talk about the programme, making people feel welcome from the start.

– Run a 121 assessment, making sure the programme is right for each person and setting a baseline for the programme evaluation..

– Using guidelines provided, plan each session in advance, gathering together the materials you will need and setting up the venue to receive the group. 

– Get to know the programme volunteers and discuss the sessions beforehand, agreeing what part they can play to suit their strengths and contribute effectively.

– Create session follow-on packs with information about each session, to prompt recall and encourage sharing with family and friends.

– Using games and activities, encourage members respectfully, to contribute ideas to the themed conversation and take part in some gentle exercise, all the time getting to know each other a little better.

– Create electronic records for each session, including notes about the individuals to discuss with the line manager, uploading relevant information to the secure programme website.

– Provide support and welcome to participants’ partners and carers, encouraging them to spend time in each other’s company whilst the session takes place.

– Get to know other services and groups that may be of interest to participants and partners/ carers during and then after the programme finishes.

– With line manager, develop opportunities for additional programmes and groups providing support to people with dementia and cognitive impairment.

– Work with all the Age UK Wakefield District teams to profile the work we do.

-Report any immediate concerns to the Line Manager.

Job Requirements:

We think you will need these when you join us, but some elements can be developed on the job.

– Relevant qualifications and/or training to support older adults in group situations

– Understanding of dementia and experience of supporting people with the condition.

– Well organised, good administrative skills to create a calm, welcoming environment

– A creative approach to planning, presenting and facilitating a group experience.

– Good computer skills to manage records on a database, complete spreadsheets, create documents and present materials and links

– Good written English and communication skills, to create materials/provide updates.

– Excellent interpersonal skills to be sensitive and responsive to individual needs.

– Ability to understand and follow policies and procedures.

– A full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle

– This role will require a successful Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), paid for by us.

Job Benefits

In addition to working with a group of passionate, generous and talented people, we can offer the following benefits:

– Opportunities for career development within the Charity – over 60% of the senior management progressed through other roles.

– Opportunities for career expansion through our deep involvement in the integrated Health & Care sector in the district. 

– Flexible working arrangements, around the programme and your teammate.

– Modern IT and mobile equipment supplied, with rapid tech support

– Training according to role but also access to areas of interest e.g. Frailty, Advanced Care Planning, Falls Prevention, Delirium, Mental Health

– 25 days paid holiday allowance plus 8 bank holidays FTE pro rata

– Company Sick Pay from day one of absence

– A pension plan is available to all employees

– As a ‘Mindful Employer’ we take the well-being of our team members seriously

Interested? If you feel that you possess the relevant skills and experience please sent your cv by return. A full job description is available.