Social Group Lead in Midsomer Norton

As Social Group Lead you will plan and run high‑quality Social Groups that are stimulating, welcoming, and safe. You will work within and actively contribute to the programme’s Groups Quality Framework to ensure consistently excellent experiences for participants and carers across B&NES. You will incorporate appropriate elements of Maintenance Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (MCST) principle to maximize wellbeing and participation.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead group delivery end‑to‑end: design engaging sessions; facilitate inclusive participation; ensure safe, welcoming environments that reflect individual group identities while meeting shared quality standards set out in the Groups Quality Framework.
• Apply MCST principles appropriately.
• Line‑manage and support Group Assistants and volunteers, including training, regular supervision and appraisals; model our values and positive team culture.
• Recruit and induct participants: respond to referrals, conduct home visits and assessments, support induction and ongoing engagement, and manage onward referral/exit where appropriate.
• Safeguard and manage risk: ensure compliance with safeguarding, health & safety, data protection and other procedures; maintain clear professional boundaries.
• Operate reliable processes: maintain accurate participant records (including family/carer contacts); collect and submit monitoring data, feedback and case studies to time and quality.
• Coordinate logistics: organise cover for holidays/sickness; liaise with transport providers; flex delivery where needed (e.g., phone/video contact during disruptions).
• Collaborate and improve: work with colleagues and partners to develop group content and contribute to continuous improvement cycles outlined in the Groups Quality Framework.
• Uphold organisational values and engage with supervision, team meetings and occasional out‑of‑hours events.

Key Tasks: Running of Day Centre

• Work to the operating instructions set out in the Age UK Bath & North East Somerset Day Club Handbook.
• Duties to include:
• Provide activities, gentle exercise and talks for service users.
• Be responsible for the management of the Day Club staff and volunteers.
• Be responsible for health and safety in the Day Club and compliance by all staff and volunteers.
• Receive referrals and undertake home visits to assess potential service users.
• Liaison with family, carers and statutory services as appropriate.
• Maintain service user records and ensure completion of administration procedures including banking.
• Liaise with the drivers and Transport Co-ordinator to ensure sufficient & appropriate transport is available for service users.

Staff & Volunteer Supervision

• Undertake line management responsibilities for staff and volunteer supervision and appraisals.
• Ensuring compliance with the organisation’s lone working, equal opportunities, health & safety and safeguarding vulnerable adults policies and procedures.

Working with other Age UK Staff

• Liaise with other Age UK staff in relation to service user needs, and to develop awareness of all services available.

Monitoring:

• Maintain client records.
• Provide the Chief Executive or other staff with the necessary statistics and progress information for monitoring, etc. reports, by the required deadlines.

Standard Clauses:

• Equal Opportunities: The postholder will be expected to adhere to the organisation’s Equal Opportunities Policy in all aspects of their work.
• Confidentiality: The postholder will be expected to adhere to the organisation’s Confidentiality Policy at all times.
• Health & Safety at Work: The postholder will be required to abide by the organisation’s Health & Safety Policy and the requirements of the Health and Safety at Work Act.
• Disclosure and Barring Service Check: Confirmation of appointment to this post will be subject to a satisfactory DBS check.

Person Specification

• Education & Training: Good standard of education. Qualifications at higher education level or equivalent. A qualification in Social Care would be an advantage. First Aid, Manual Handling, Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults.
• Experience: Working directly with older people, providing services for older people, working with a person-centred approach, knowledge and understanding of Health & Safety issues and of risk assessment, leading a day centre or similar service, devising and implementing appropriate activity programmes for older people, staff and/or volunteer supervision.
• Skills: Ability to develop positive relationships with a variety of people including service users, family/carers, and professionals, and to deal sympathetically and sensitively with a wide range of people. An interest in, and awareness of, the needs of older people. Enthusiasm and confidence. Strong communication skills. Numerate. Motivation skills. Understanding of food Hygiene/Handling certificate.
• Other job-related requirements: Able to work outside normal working hours when necessary on occasion. Able to drive within the Bath area & other Centres within B&NES.

Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme.