Band 4 Activities and Carers Coordinator (assistant OT/physio/rehab) in Aylesbury

Salary: £27,475 WTE, £14,653 pro rata

Hours of Duty: 20 hours per week over four days

Department: CNC Therapy Team

Reports to: Band 7 Occupational Therapist

Line manages: Wellbeing Volunteers and Carer Volunteers

The Activities and Carers Coordinator plays an integral role within the Therapy Team, coordinating and developing the Centre's Wellbeing Programme to provide meaningful opportunities that enhance the physical, emotional and social wellbeing of members and carer members.

Why work for us?

The benefits of working with us include:

• 25 days of pro-rata annual leave plus bank holidays
• Additional leave during the Centre's closure between Christmas and New Year
• A pension scheme
• Carers leave policy
• Training and development opportunities
• Work-life balance flexibility
• A strong emphasis on staff wellbeing
• An on-site cafe that serves delicious cakes

Main duties of the job

The post holder will coordinate the wellbeing activity programme, develop and run the carer support initiatives, provide day-to-day leadership for Wellbeing Activity Volunteers, and contribute to the ongoing development of the service; this will include social wellbeing, physical activity groups, and carers groups.

Working within agreed competencies and under the supervision of the Occupational Therapy team, the post holder will exercise initiative, manage their own workload and contribute to service improvement while promoting the values and ethos of the Chilterns Neuro Centre.

About us

The Chilterns Neuro Centre is a local charity based in Wendover, Buckinghamshire, which supports people affected by multiple sclerosis (MS), Parkinson's and stroke survivors. The Centre was founded in 1985 as the Chilterns MS Centre but, in 2022, it began a pilot programme to open up its services to people with conditions other than MS, starting with Parkinson's and stroke survivors. In 2023, the pilot became permanent and the Centre changed its name. We currently work with more than 700 members, building a community in which people affected by neurological conditions can live life to the full. The services we offer go above and beyond those the NHS can provide. Our modern, purpose-built Centre offers many different therapies, workshops and treatments to make sure that people we support can live rich, independent lives.

Key Responsibilities

Wellbeing Programme and Group Coordination

• Coordinate, organise and evaluate the Centre's Wellbeing Programme with volunteers, ensuring activities are meaningful, inclusive and person-centred.
• Develop opportunities that promote independence, confidence, participation and social connection.
• Work collaboratively with members to ensure activities reflect their interests, goals and aspirations.
• Maintain information about local wellbeing opportunities and community resources.
• Support the management of the Wellbeing Programme budget in conjunction with the line manager.
• Work with the Fundraising and Communications Team to promote wellbeing activities and events where appropriate.
• Deliver delegated educational and exercise sessions under the supervision of registered therapists.
• Prepare treatment areas and equipment for therapy sessions and groups.
• Observe and report changes in members' physical, cognitive or emotional presentation.
• Support therapists with delegated clinical and administrative duties.
• Coordinate and develop opportunities that support the wellbeing of carers.
• Promote access to information, peer support and community resources.
• Encourage carer involvement in service development and evaluation.
• Work with the clinical admin team to maintain records of carer.
• Work with the therapy team to assess carer needs.
• Coordinate the day-to-day activities of Wellbeing Activity Volunteers.
• Identify volunteer development and training needs and liaise with the Volunteer Coordinator where appropriate.

Communication

The post holder will:

• Build effective therapeutic relationships with members, carers, volunteers and colleagues.
• Communicate sensitively with people who may have communication, cognitive or emotional difficulties.
• Maintain accurate electronic and paper records and provide timely feedback to the Therapy Team.
• Work collaboratively with internal and external partners to support members' wellbeing.

Planning, Quality and Service Improvement

The post holder will:

• Manage and prioritise their own workload effectively.
• Contribute to the ongoing development and evaluation of the Wellbeing Programme.
• Collect activity, attendance and outcome data to support service evaluation.
• Identify opportunities to improve member experience and service delivery.
• Participate in audits and quality improvement initiatives.

Professional Responsibilities

The post holder will:

• Work within delegated authority and recognise the limits of their competence.
• Demonstrate professional accountability and exercise sound judgement within agreed protocols.
• Participate in regular supervision, appraisal and continuing professional development.
• Promote the values of the Chilterns Neuro Centre and contribute positively to the multidisciplinary team.
• Maintain current knowledge of neurological conditions, wellbeing approaches and best practice.

Health, Safety and Safeguarding

The post holder will:

• Comply with organisational policies relating to health and safety, infection prevention and control, safeguarding, confidentiality and information governance.
• Undertake risk assessments appropriate to the role.
• Report incidents, concerns and safeguarding issues promptly and appropriately.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

The post holder will promote equality, diversity and inclusion, ensuring members, carers, volunteers and colleagues are treated with dignity, respect and compassion, and are supported to participate fully in all aspects of Centre life.

General

The post holder will undertake any other duties commensurate with the grade of the post and consistent with the needs of the Therapy Service. This job description is intended as a guide to the principal responsibilities of the post and may be amended following consultation to meet the changing needs of the Chilterns Neuro Centre.

Person Specification

Experience

• Experience of supporting adults with long-term health conditions, disabilities.
• Experience of planning and facilitating individual or group activities.
• Experience of working as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Experience maintaining accurate written or electronic records.
• Experience of supporting or coordinating volunteers, students or groups.
• Experience working with people living with neurological conditions.
• Experience supporting carers.
• Experience delivering delegated rehabilitation or exercise programmes.
• Experience contributing to service development or quality improvement initiatives.
• Working in charity sector or with fundraisers.

Knowledge

• Understanding of person-centred care and rehabilitation principles.
• Understanding of safeguarding, confidentiality and information governance.
• Understanding of equality, diversity and inclusion.
• Awareness of professional boundaries and working within delegated responsibilities.
• Understanding of how to promote self-management and independence.
• Knowledge of neurological conditions and their impact on daily life.
• Knowledge of community resources and voluntary sector support services.
• Understanding of outcome measures and service evaluation.

Qualifications

• Evidence of continuing professional development.
• Assistant Practitioner qualification or Foundation Degree.
• Qualification in exercise instruction, wellbeing, health promotion or activity coordination.
• NVQ Level 3 in Health & Social Care, Rehabilitation, Occupational Therapy Support, Activity Provision or equivalent knowledge and experience.

Personal Attributes

• Compassionate, approachable and professional.
• Enthusiastic and motivated to improve the wellbeing of others.
• Flexible and adaptable in response to service needs.
• Reliable and able to work both independently and collaboratively.
• Demonstrates initiative and a proactive approach to problem-solving.
• Committed to delivering high-quality, person-centred services.
• Values and promotes dignity, respect, inclusion and independence.
• Creative approach to developing activities and wellbeing opportunities.
• Interest in service development and innovation.

Skills

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to motivate, engage and encourage individuals and groups.
• Good organisational and time management skills.
• Ability to prioritise workload and work independently within agreed parameters.
• Ability to build positive relationships with members, carers, volunteers and colleagues.
• Competent IT skills, including Microsoft Office and electronic record systems.
• Ability to observe and report changes in members' wellbeing appropriately.
• Ability to facilitate safe and inclusive group activities.
• Experience using digital platforms for communication or activity planning.
• Presentation or group facilitation skills.

Other Requirements

• Ability to work flexibly to meet the needs of the service.
• Willingness to undertake relevant training and continuing professional development.
• Satisfactory Enhanced DBS clearance.
• Commitment to the values and mission of the Chilterns Neuro Centre.
• Access to a car / full UK licence.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.