Base: Carers Link Lancashire, Accrington, Hyndburn
Hours: 25 Hours Per Week
5 hours per day
Salary: £26,345.62 per annum pro rata
Initially Funded until 31st March 2027 however subject to further funding
Main base: Community Facility Accrington
Funded by: Crisis and Resilience Funding: Hyndburn Borough Council
Reporting to: Team Manager, through the Senior Management Structure and ultimately the Directors of Carers Link Lancashire
Working Arrangements: Flexibility to allow out of normal hours working if required
Job Purpose: To improve the lives of unpaid carers and the wider community members in Hyndburn
JOB SUMMARY
· To provide welfare & benefits support & services to local people from Hyndburn in meeting their immediate need whilst providing them with longer term financial stability and overcoming wider health and social care issues
· To act as a community ambassador supporting local people from our community facility
· Supporting those who may be from disadvantaged backgrounds facing crisis, poverty and social isolation
CORE RESPONSIBILITIES
· Provide outreach / awareness raising in Hyndburn as necessary
· Provide drop in facilities at the community facility on Blackburn Road
· Provide 1-2-1 and group support and engage in supportive conversations which identify and overcome / address presenting & identified needs
· Providing information and guidance on entitlements, welfare rights and benefits including assistance with completion of claim forms.
· Encouraging and supporting people in applying for relevant benefits that they are entitled to receive, thereby increasing the numbers of people who apply for support
· Providing detailed support including where necessary calculating, negotiating, drafting or writing letters and representing them e.g. housing providers
· Assisting with other welfare related issues, negotiating and liaising with local authority, housing, statutory and voluntary agencies and supporting them where necessary.
· Enhance the wellbeing of local people by providing 1-2-1 support and signposting to relevant services and support
· Supporting and encouraging local people to access local facilities for information support and guidance alongside opportunities to connect with other local people overcoming isolation and loneliness
· Work collaboratively with colleagues to identify people who would benefit from additional welfare and benefit support
· To support in recruiting and training volunteers who can become local community champions who can support people in the local community
· Undertake training in the areas of welfare benefits to keep up to date with new legislative changes, policies and practices.
· Provide assistance to other staff across the organisation on welfare and benefit issues & in the community facility
· Carry out monitoring, recording and evaluation for all activities accurately
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
· To achieve personal and organisational targets based on contractual obligations
· Actively encourage local people to engage and participate in our services
· Support local people to access welfare and benefits to support their individual needs
· Raise awareness of the needs and issues of local people amongst our partners, other agencies, professionals and the public
· Develop positive working relationships with voluntary, statutory and private sector organisations
· Identify and report on gaps in the support and service provision
· To fully participate in staff meetings, any sub-groups and mandatory training as and when required
· Contribute to the development of carers services and Carers Link Lancashire
· To undertake any other duties which may from time to time be required and which are consistent with the duties and responsibilities of the post and support the overall ethos, principles & practices of the organisation.
Some evening and weekend work for which time off in lieu is given
Holiday entitlement is 25 working days (pro rata) plus 8 statutory days (depending on year) per annum
The post is subject to an enhanced DBS Disclosure check
Pay: Up to £26,345.62 per year
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Discounted or free food
- Employee discount
Work Location: In person
