Carer

Central Bedfordshire Council; Leighton Buzzard; Hybrid; GBP 24,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous annual leave

Employee assistance programme

IT equipment provided

Discounts in the local community

Career development opportunities

Job summary

Central Bedfordshire Council is seeking a Senior Carer to lead a day service for older adults with complex care needs, including dementia, delivering safe, person-centred support. You will supervise Care Assistants, support meaningful activities, and ensure plans and records are maintained with dignity and respect.

The role emphasises independence, wellbeing and strong teamwork, with a focus on and adaptability for individuals’ needs.

Qualifications

• 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 to supervise and support a team of care assistants.
• Compassionate, person-centred approach promoting dignity, independence, choice and meaningful moments.
• Full driving licence and access to a vehicle preferred; travel is essential.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality, person-centred care while ensuring dignity, privacy, respect and choice.
• Lead and support a team of Care Assistants, students and volunteers to meet needs safely.
• Plan and deliver meaningful activities tailored to individuals.
• Follow health and safety policies, risks assessments, and infection control procedures.
• Communicate effectively with people who attend, families and professionals, and maintain records.
• Maintain accurate care records and documentation; report concerns promptly.

Skills

Leadership

Dementia care

Personal care

Communication

Education

Level 3 Health & Social Care

Job description

The Senior Carer will play a key role in supporting the day-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.

Care and Support

• Provided 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.
• Ensure dignity and meaningful moments are central to our ethos and remain at the heart of everything we do.
• 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 manger 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.

Central Bedfordshire Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all employees, volunteers and contractors to share this commitment. This post is subject to the disclosure of criminal records.

Your application to us is a reflection of who you are professionally and should give us an accurate and authentic picture of your skills, experiences and if applicable qualifications. Before you submit your application, we will ask you to confirm if you have used AI. All new starters will join us on a four-month probationary period. During this time, if you are offered a Hybrid role you will be required to attend a Central Bedfordshire Council office location more frequently to support thorough and well-supported onboarding into your role. Please keep this in mind if you anticipate extensive travel to Central Bedfordshire. Please note we are unable to offer sponsorship for our roles. Successful applicants that may require a visa will need to consider the options for obtaining and/or maintaining the legal right to live and work in the UK for the duration of the contract offered. provides free, impartial, information advice and guidance to those aged 16+ looking to get into work, learning or exploring a change of career.

Qualifications and Experience

• 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.
• You will preferably have a full driving licence with access to a vehicle.
• Please note that this roles requires access to a vehicle and a full driving licence.
• 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 licence with access to a vehicle.

Benefits

• 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.
• Our Offer We have a number of rewards and benefits available to our staff, to view these please visit our You will be expected to demonstrate how you meet the key accountabilities and competencies detailed within this

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 roles requires access to a vehicle and a full driving licence.