Career opportunities Senior Carer - Leighton Buzzard Older Peoples Day Opportunities

Team: CAS – Leighton Buzzard Day Opportunities (Leighton Buzzard Day Centre)

Job Family: Supporting CBG6

Salary: £26,824 - £28,142 per annum pro rata

Hours: 37 hours per week

Location: Marigold House, Leighton Buzzard Older Peoples Day Centre

Contract Type: Fixed - Permanent

Closing Date: 26th July 2026

Interview Date: 31st July 2026

About the Role

The Senior Carer will play a key role in supporting the day-to-day running of the service, ensuring that older people living with complex care and support needs, including dementia, receive safe, person-centred and meaningful support. Dignity and meaningful moments are central to our ethos and are at the heart of everything we do. The Senior Carer will help ensure that every person who attends the day centre feels valued, respected, listened to and included. They will support people to take part in activities and experiences that promote wellbeing, independence, social connection and enjoyment. The role will involve leading by example, supporting a team of Care Assistants, and helping to create a warm, welcoming and inclusive environment. The Senior Carer will promote independence, dignity, choice and wellbeing, while ensuring that individual care plans, risk assessments and support needs are followed and regularly reviewed.

Key Responsibilities:

• Care and Support

• Provide high-quality, person-centred care and support, ensuring dignity, privacy, respect and choice are always maintained.
• Lead by example in delivering care and support that promotes independence, wellbeing, social inclusion and meaningful moments.
• Support people with daily living activities and personal care needs in a sensitive and respectful manner.
• Observe and monitor people’s health, wellbeing, mood and presentation, reporting any changes to the Manager or other professionals as appropriate.
• Administer medication as prescribed, and ensure accurate records are maintained in line with policy and procedure.
• Ensure people receive consistent support in line with their care and support plans, risk assessments and individual needs.
• Attend initial assessments for people who have been referred to access our services.

• Leading and Supporting the Team

• Oversee and support a team of Care Assistants during the day, ensuring tasks are allocated clearly and people’s needs are met safely and effectively.
• Act as a positive role model by demonstrating high standards of care, professionalism, communication and teamwork.
• Provide day-to-day guidance, encouragement and support to a team of Care Assistants, students and volunteers.
• Support the Manager with the smooth running of the service, escalating concerns, staffing issues or services pressures promptly.
• Help ensure staff follow agreed care plans, risk assessments, moving and handling guidance, medication procedures and service policies.
• Promote a positive team culture where staff feel supported, valued and confident in their roles.
• Support new staff with induction, shadowing and good practice guidance where required.

• Activity Planning and Delivery

• Ensure the team plan, organise and lead meaningful activities tailored to the interests, abilities and needs of people who access the service.
• Support a team of Care Assistants to deliver engaging activities that promote stimulation, enjoyment, independence and social interaction.
• Encourage people to take part in social, recreational, creative and wellbeing activities in a way that suits their individual needs and choices.
• Adapt activities to support people living with dementia, physical frailty, and complex care needs.
• Research and explore opportunities that enrich the service offer and create meaningful experiences for those who attend.
• Ensure activities are inclusive, safe and reflect the voices, preferences and outcomes of people who use the service.

• Health and Safety

• Ensure a safe, clean and welcoming environment for people who attend, staff, families, carers and professionals.
• Support a team to follow health and safety policies and procedures, including risk assessments, infection prevention and control, moving and handling and safe working practices.
• Respond appropriately to emergencies and provide first aid when necessary, following service procedures.
• Monitor the environment throughout the day and report hazards, loss, damage, breakages or concerns to the Manager promptly.
• Ensure equipment, activity spaces and shared areas are safe, suitable and ready for use.
• Support a team of Care Assistants to maintain good standards of cleanliness, hygiene and infection control.

• Communication and Collaboration

• Communicate effectively and respectfully with people who attend, their families, carers, colleagues and other professionals.
• Work collaboratively with the Manager and wide team to provide consistent, coordinated and person-centred support.
• Share relevant information with the manager in a timely and appropriate way, ensuring confidentiality is maintained.
• Contribute to daily handovers, team discussions, reviews and meetings.
• Support a team of Care Assistants to communicate professionally and compassionately with people who attend and their families.
• Liaise with families and professionals where appropriate, escalating any concerns or complex matters to the Manager.

• Record Keeping and Reporting

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records relating to people’s care, wellbeing, progress, activities and daily support.
• Ensure a team of Care Assistants complete daily notes and relevant documentation to a good standard.
• Report any concerns, incidents, accidents, safeguarding matters or changes in need to the Manager promptly.
• Participate in support planning, reviews and risk assessment updates as required.
• Ensure records reflect people’s choices, outcomes, strengths and meaningful moments.
• Support the Manager in ensuring documentation is completed in line with service policies and regulatory expectations.

• Professional Development

• Engage in ongoing training and professional development opportunities.
• Stay informed about best practice in adult social care, dementia care, dignity in care, safeguarding and person-centred support.
• Identify and explore relevant training opportunities for your own development.
• Work with the Manager and wider Day Service teams to support improvements in care quality, team performance, and the overall service offer.

Skills:

• Level 3 qualification in Adult Health and Social Care is essential.
• Experience supporting older adults and people living with dementia, and other complex care and support needs.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to supervise, guide and support a team of care assistants.
• Compassionate and person-centred approach, promoting dignity, independence, choice and meaningful moments in daily care.

Please note: Travel is essential for this role as you may be required to support at other Day Services, attend reviews and professional meetings and access training at other CBC sites. You will preferably have a full driving license with access to a vehicle.

If you are the right person for us, you will have the benefit of a generous rewards package, such as annual leave, an employee assistance programme, access to IT equipment, discounts in the local community and the opportunity to complete further training and develop your career in the social care field.

Part of our vision in the Care and Support services is to be there for you. We will recognise you as an individual personality with your own uniqueness, character and life experiences. We will be there for you, to promote and celebrate your continued successes.

*Please note that this role requires access to a vehicle and a full driving licence.