Job Description:

Service Support Worker
Location: British Red Cross Taunton TA2 6BD and throughout the county of Somerset.

Hours: 21 per week

Contract type: Permanent

Salary: £18,972 per annum pro rata

We’ve got an opportunity…

Do you love helping people in need? Are you looking for a rewarding role that could kick start your career in the health and social sector? We are looking for a passionate and enthusiastic person with great people skills to join our Independent Living team.

At the British Red Cross, we put the people that need us at the heart of what we do. As a Service Support Worker, you will support Musgrove Park Hospital and Yeovil District Hospital by providing transport and aiding a safe discharge from either hospital for individuals within the County of Somerset. You will also provide practical and emotional support (telephone calls, welfare checks, shopping etc) and guidance to service users in the home to prevent an attendance or admission to hospital.

You will provide reactive, focused, and flexible support to adults either following a hospital stay to enable early discharge when clinical needs have been met or to those living in the community to prevent hospital admission. You will assist the Independent Living Service Coordinator by undertaking duties required to meet the service users’ needs to re-enable them to remain in their own home and prevent hospital re-admission.

You will respond to referrals from Clinicians and Community Health Professionals and will be required to have the ability to assess service users’ needs, complete and follow a support plan for the individual. In addition, you will be providing practical and emotional support in the service user’s own home and signposting to other services where appropriate to enable the individual to live independently in their own home.

Not only will your role allow people to enjoy healthier, more fulfilling lives, but a career within Independent Living can be both rewarding and satisfying, providing extensive progression opportunities, and allowing you to build meaningful relationships with both colleagues and service users.

Say hello to the team…

Sometimes a little help can go a long way. The Independent Living (IL) & Crisis Response (CR) service (IL/CR) are dedicated to making lives of vulnerable people a little bit better. We’re a small team dotted all over the country that shares the same goal – to help those that need it most. From picking up groceries to helping out around the house, we’re there to make a difference. There’s nothing better than knowing the time we spent with someone made them feel safer, happier, and more able to deal with crisis.

This role could be for you if…

• You can make things great. You know how to improve service quality for the benefit of users.
• You’re professional. You can deal with queries in a diplomatic and confidential manner
• You love being flexible. Working hours out with the norm suits you.

Also, you should be the following:

• Educated to GCSE level or equivalent by experience
• NVQ/QCF Level 2/3 in Care or willingness to obtain qualification
• Experience of working with or providing personal care for dependent adults either at home or in a working environment
• Experience in writing reports and/or support plans
• The ability to manage own time and workload and respond to and prioritise a range of competing demands
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• An understanding of and ability to maintain confidentiality
• An ability to work in a person-centred way
• A full driving licence with access to own vehicle

Closing date for application is 23.59 on Thursday 11th May with interviews to follow.

In return for your commitment and expertise, you’ll get:

• Holidays: You’ll get 36 days annual leave (including bank holidays) and the option to buy an additional 5 days leave.
• Pension Scheme: We offer up to 6% contributory pension.
• Flexible working: We will do what we can to make sure you work in a way that suits you.
• Learning & Development Opportunities: We are one of the UK’s largest charities and have a wide range of career opportunities. We also provide comprehensive learning opportunities for staff to develop themselves.
• Discounts: You’ll have access to brilliant discounts through the Blue Light Discount Card and our own employee benefits platform.
• Wellbeing Support – Staff wellbeing is always priority. You’ll have access to mental health and wellbeing support.
• Team Working – You will be working as part of a team that is supporting our mission of helping people in crisis.
• Season ticket loan – We offer an interest free loan to buy a season ticket for travel between home and work.

Connecting human kindness with human crisis