At a Glance
- Tasks: Support patients transitioning from hospital to home, ensuring they settle in comfortably.
- Company: Join a compassionate organisation dedicated to improving patient experiences.
- Benefits: Flexible weekend hours, valuable experience in healthcare, and opportunities for personal growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with potential for career advancement in the healthcare sector.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while gaining hands-on experience in healthcare.
- Qualifications: Experience in health or care settings and strong communication skills required.
Job Description
Job Purpose
The weekend Home & Settle Project Officer is responsible for responding to referrals received over the weekend from both Royal London Hospital & Homerton Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. You will work with the manager on Friday to deliver services and plan visits on the weekend for you to attend.
The service supports people returning after a stay in hospital, helping them to settle back at home, regain confidence and support with some practical tasks, e.g. shopping/cleaning. You will manage referrals, carry out assessments, and in liaison with the manager, allocate service users to Discharge and Settle Worker caseloads. You will provide direct frontline support and co-ordinate visits to the service users’ home in preparation for their return home. You will work collaboratively to lead and manage the weekend service to support the smooth transition from hospital to home for service users. The service is time limited, up to 4 or 6 weeks, to adjust, build confidence, and settle back in their homes.
Key Tasks
Act as the first point of contact for all referrals over the weekend across both hospitals.
Meet with patients in the community and/or hospital and carrying out assessments and risk assessments.
Enter referrals on to AUKEL’s case management system (currently Charity Log) in accordance with GDPR guidelines.
Allocate referrals to Discharge and Settle workers (in the week) using tech available (currently the Call Round App), training will be available.
Collect feedback from service users and upload to case management system.
Prepare and keep stock of AUKEL Welcome Packs and service leaflets.
Deputise for the manger at discharge planning and other meetings as required.
Support hospitals to improve the patient’s experience of the discharge process.
Monitor the case loads of each of the Discharge and Settle workers (DSW) to ensure they are evenly and fairly balanced.
Work collaboratively with other agencies providing support services.
Work with people with a range of needs, dealing with issues ranging from social isolation and keeping people engaged in their community, to preventing unnecessary readmission to hospital.
Plan and develop person centred interventions to provide short term support for people after hospital discharge.
Deliver the front-line support services over the weekend
Provide occasional cover for the A/L of other Project Officers
Work with people with a range of needs, dealing with issues ranging from social isolation and keeping people engaged in their community, to preventing unnecessary admission to hospital.
Supervise, support and develop DSWs and volunteers in your service.
Liaise with the handyperson service about referrals and jobs for service users.
Ensure DSW are resourced to sign post service users to other services when the home and settle service intervention ends.
Arranging access visits to service user’s homes.
Administration
Keep AUKEL’s case management system up to date, input all data, and ensure all referrals, interventions, time spent with service users are recorded.
Allocate referrals to DSW using tech available (currently - Charity Log ‘Call Round’ App).
Ensure wards have good supply of service leaflets and referral forms.
Ensure data collected meets the requirements of the service’s contract monitoring and key performance indicators.
Ensure customer feedback questionnaires are sent at the end of each intervention and record returns.
Ensure admin tasks relating to service users, Discharge and Settle workers or general admin is carried out in a timely and efficient manner.
Provide cover as needed, i.e. annual leave and sickness, for the services you manage, and other hospital settle services provided by AUKEL
Carry out monitoring of the service ensuring it meets the contractual requirements of commissioners.
Quality
Be familiar with and to implement AUKEL policies and procedures.
Ensure the service is delivered in accordance with Care Quality Commission fundamental standards.
Ensure integration with other AUKEL projects, and service users are referred and/or sign-posted to appropriate support services available to them.
Respond to safeguarding or other concerns and make appropriate reports and management action
Liaison
Represent AUKEL and participate in appropriate external meetings and events to remain aware of local, regional and national issues affecting quality and compliance affecting care and home support services.
Work in collaboration with hospital colleagues including discharge teams, A&E, ward staff, community teams to support the successful discharge of people and reduce readmission.
Liaise with other AUKEL home and settle services across London and work collaboratively to maintain effective services, including sharing staff where appropriate.
Work closely with the AUKEL handyperson service to meet contractual obligations where a handyperson service is provided as part of the service.
Liaise with contractors to arrange deliveries and works to service user’s homes.
General
Meet regularly with your line manager for support, supervision and appraisal.
Attend team and staff meetings, (and other meetings) as required.
Undertake any other duties within the competence of the post holder as may be required from time to time for the continued smooth running of AUKEL.
Undertake any training required to fulfil the post.
Carry out the duties of the post in accordance with AUKEL’s policies and procedures including: Equal Opportunities, Health & Safety, Confidentiality, Complaints, GDPR, Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults.
Work within AUKEL’s expectations of professional boundaries and confidentiality.
Functional Links
The Home and Settle Project Officer is supervised directly by the Home and Settle Manager.
Close working is required with AUKEL Finance Team, Information, Advice, Advocacy & Befriending Services, AUKEL Community services directorate, and other home and settle services across East London.
Person Specification
Research shows that while middle class white men tend to apply for job when they meet around 60% of the criteria, women, people from the global majority, and people from other marginalised groups that encounter systematic discrimination tend to apply only when they meet all criteria. So, if you think you have what it takes, but don’t meet every single aspect of the job description, please still apply!
Experience
Essential
Minimum of 2 years’ experience of working within a health or care setting.
Experience of using IT systems to record work done.
Experience of supporting colleagues (this could be in a non- managerial position)
Desirable
Experience of working within a hospital setting
Experience of managing and developing staff.
Experience of working with older people
Experience of conducting assessments and risk assessments.
Knowledge & Understanding
Essential
Understanding of the impact of discrimination and disadvantage on the lives of people and ability to work in a trauma-informed manner.
Understanding of the needs of patients who may lack family or other support.
Understanding of the needs of lone workers whilst working in the community.
Understanding and commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable adults and their carers.
Understand of and commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion and dignity.
Desirable
Knowledge of CQC fundamental standards
Understanding of NHS hospital discharge procedures
Skills/Attributes
Essential
Excellent interpersonal skills
Excellent verbal and written communication
Intermediate IT skills
Excellent planning and organisational skills
Ability to work calmly under pressure.
Additional Requirements
This post is subject to the relevant check through the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS)
The role is required travel across East London
Flexibility in working hours to meet organisational needs.
Additional Information
This job description is not intended to be exhaustive, but rather to clearly define the fundamental purpose, responsibilities and deliverables for the role.
In addition to the contents of this role description, employees are expected to undertake any and all other reasonable and related tasks allocated by line management.
Home and Settle Project Officer (Weekend) employer: Age UK East London
AUKEL is an exceptional employer that prioritises the well-being and professional growth of its staff, offering a supportive work culture that values collaboration and community impact. As a Home and Settle Project Officer, you will have the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals transitioning from hospital to home, while benefiting from ongoing training and development in a dynamic environment located in East London. The company fosters a diverse and inclusive atmosphere, ensuring that all employees feel valued and empowered to contribute to the vital services we provide.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Home and Settle Project Officer (Weekend)
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Age UK East London.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Age UK East London!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Age UK East London, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Age UK East London or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Home and Settle Project Officer (Weekend)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Age UK East London:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Age UK East London! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Age UK East London
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
