Job Description –Carer Support Worker (Hospital Based)
Hours: Full time, 37 hours per week.
Salary:
Responsible to: Hospital Lead
Based at: Northampton General Hospital, Cliftonville, Northampton NN1 5BD andKettering General Hospital, Rothwell Rd, Kettering NN16 8UZ (with countywide travel as required)
Job Summary
The Hospital Carer Support Worker provides vital support to unpaid carers of patients admitted to acute hospital settings, managing a diverse caseload to ensure carers receive the assistance they need throughout the patient’s hospital stay, discharge process, and for a short period following discharge.
The post holder offers practical and emotional support, as well as information, advice, signposting, and onward referrals to relevant services. They work closely with healthcare professionals and partner agencies to help carers sustain their caring role after discharge, reduce the impact of caring responsibilities on their health and wellbeing, and prevent situations from escalating into crisis.
Key responsibilities include supporting patient discharge planning, conducting home visits across the county to assess whether deep cleaning or hoarding intervention services are required, and arranging or delivering essential items such as small hospital equipment, medications, and food parcels. These interventions help ensure that patients can return home safely and that unpaid carers are equipped with the support needed to continue providing care in a safe and sustainable environment.
The post requires an individual who has an understanding of Carers needs and issues. Previous experience of being in a caring role, working in a hospital, health, social care or voluntary sector setting, is desirable. However, training and support will be provided.
Key Responsibilities
1. Provide Carer Support
o Undertake person-centred assessments with unpaid carers to identify their needs, strengths, risks, and support requirements, developing support plans that promote carer wellbeing, independence, and resilience.
o Provide practical, emotional, and advocacy support to carers throughout a patient’s hospital admission and discharge journey.
2. Support Safe and Effective Hospital Discharge
o Ensure carers are involved in discharge planning and have access to the information, resources, and support needed to continue their caring role at home.
o Identify and address potential barriers to discharge, escalating concerns where appropriate.
3. Provide Information, Advice, and Guidance
o Offer accurate and up-to-date information on community resources, and available support services.
o Signpost and refer carers to statutory, voluntary, and community organisations that can provide ongoing assistance.
o Promote awareness of services available to carers and encourage early intervention where appropriate.
4. Manage a Diverse Caseload
o Maintain responsibility for a varied and often complex caseload of carers and patients.
o Prioritise workload effectively, ensuring all interventions are responsive, timely, and outcome focused.
5. Conduct Home Visits and Environmental Assessments
o Undertake home visits across the county to assess living conditions and identify any issues that may impact a safe discharge home.
o Assess the need for deep cleaning, decluttering, hoarding interventions, or other environmental support services.
o Liaise with relevant agencies to coordinate appropriate support and interventions.
o Undertake welfare checks for patients post discharge offering support, signposting and onward referrals to services
6. Coordinate Practical Support
o Arrange and, where appropriate, deliver essential items to support discharge and ongoing care at home, including small pieces of medical equipment, medication, and food parcels.
o Ensure carers and patients have access to practical resources that promote safety and wellbeing following discharge.
7. Work in Partnership with Professionals and Agencies
o Develop effective working relationships with hospital staff, social care professionals, community services, and voluntary sector organisations.
o Participate in multidisciplinary discussions and contribute to care planning to ensure carers’ needs are represented and addressed.
o Facilitate communication between carers, patients, and professionals to improve outcomes.
8. Safeguarding and Risk Management
o Recognise, assess, and appropriately respond to safeguarding concerns affecting carers or patients.
o Implement crisis prevention and risk management strategies, referring to specialist services where necessary.
o Maintain professional boundaries and work in accordance with organisational safeguarding policies and procedures.
9. Record Keeping and Reporting
o Maintain accurate, confidential, and timely records of all interventions and activities in line with organisational policies and data protection legislation.
o Produce reports, case notes, and service information as required.
10. Professional Development and Team Working
o Participate in supervision, training, team meetings, and service development activities.
o Keep knowledge of health, social care, and carers’ support services up to date.
o Contribute to the continuous improvement of services for carers and patients.
11. Service Cover and Flexibility
o Provide support and cover across hospital sites and community settings as required.
o Undertake other duties consistent with the purpose and grade of the role that contribute to the effective delivery of the Hospital Carer Support Service.
This job description reflects the major tasks to be carried out by the post holder and identifies a level of responsibility at which they will be required to work. In the interests of effective working, the major tasks may be reviewed from time to time to reflect changing needs and circumstances. Such reviews and any consequential changes will be carried out in consultation with the post holder.
To apply for this role please go via this link, you will need to upload a CV and Cover letter
https://hr.breathehr.com/v/carer-support-worker-hospital-based-48291
Pay: £24,781.34 per year
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Health & wellbeing programme
Work Location: In person
