Senior Welfare Officer / Support Worker / Social Care - Charity (Permanent)

Job Title: Senior Welfare Officer

Location: St Helens

Salary: £23,698 to £26,331per annum (plus supplement - £1,748)

Job type: Full Time, Permanent (37.5 hours per week)

Closing Date: 4.00 pm Tuesday 14th April 2020

The Trust is a highly regarded charity operating throughout the UK who are looking for an experienced Welfare Officer to visit beneficiaries of a welfare programme.

Job Purpose:

To co-ordinate and direct the work of the welfare officer team based in St Helens and around the UK. To carry out the duties of a Welfare Officer including carrying out visits to beneficiaries in their own home in St Helens and in other areas around the UK as required.

To supervise the administrative team in the Community Care department and co-ordinate the running of the Community Care office, ensuring high standards of customer care, delivery of services and efficiency in all areas. To provide statistical information to the Welfare Programme Manager through the Community Care Information System (Sales Logix).

Key Responsibilities:

• To carry out Linkline visits in areas outside of St Helens on an annual basis
• To assist the St Helens based Welfare Officers to carry out local visits, assessing need, making referrals to external agencies, Ruskin Lodge referrals, as required
• Organise and distribute visiting lists to Welfare Officers
• To support the Regional Welfare Officers in their duties
• To triage telephone calls for local Welfare Officers and deal with queries if possible
• To be responsible for the Connections scheme (manual and electronic) and to manage any responses that require further action
• To acquire a full knowledge of the Welfare Programme, a working knowledge of State Benefits and other associated benefits available to older people
• Provide statistical information to the Welfare Programme Manager, with particular reference to the visiting scheme
• Co-ordinate the work of the administration team and organise office cover
• To maintain accurate administration records
• To carry out regular job consultation and annual reviews for the Administration Assistant, Activities Co-ordinator
• Assist with interviews for designated posts
• Take part in induction training for new members of staff
• In conjunction with the Business Manager and Welfare Programme Manager assist in the overall management of the Community Care Information System, together with supporting, guiding and training staff in its operation
• To represent Pilkington Family Trust at external meetings as required

Skills and Experience:

• Level 5 Diploma in Leadership for Health and Social Care
• Be able to demonstrate ability to apply yourself to studying
• Be committed to continued professional development
• Must preferably be educated to GCSE standard to Grade C/5 or above
• Full driving licence essential
• Advanced level computer skills required preferably to ECDL
• Must be experienced in working with older people in unsupervised situations
• Must demonstrate proven experience in assessing individual care needs
• Should have experience of working as part of a team taking the lead role
• Experience of working in isolation
• Experience of working/liaising with other agencies would be an advantage e.g. Health professionals/Care Agencies etc.
• Basic knowledge of state benefits is desirable
• Supervisory skills essential
• Must be reliable and punctual
• Good organisational skills and ability to plan and prioritise own workload is essential
• Must be self-motivated as most of role is unsupervised
• Must be persistent, determined and able to maintain high standards
• Should be able to work under pressure
• Must be able to analyse a situation and take appropriate action using sound judgement and initiative
• Must keep up-to-date with changes in benefits, grants etc.
• Experience of holding meetings and speaking to groups is desirable

What can they offer:

• Job related training and attractive terms and conditions
• Opportunity to contribute to the Personal Pension Plan

All employees are expected to project a professional and positive image of the organisation in both appearance and behaviour, and especially when liaising with individuals external to the organisation.

Please click on the APPLY button and CHECK YOUR EMAILS to complete the attached application form.

Candidates with the relevant experience or job titles of; Home Carer, Welfare Benefits Advisor, Support Worker, Support Assistant, Social Care, Social Worker, Vulnerable Adult, LSW, LSA, Support Assistant, Adult Support Worker may also be considered for this role.