Carers Champion and activities link HCA

The Methodist Church in Britain; Hampstead; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 26,000; Part time

Job summary

Devon Partnership NHS Trust is seeking a Carers Champion on Belvedere Ward to promote carer involvement in assessment, planning and discharge, while supporting therapeutic activities with the MDT. You will provide information and signposting to carers and families, drawing on Triangle of Care principles and safeguarding practices.

The role requires flexible part-time working, Care Certificate or willingness to complete, and experience in health or mental health care with a person-centred

Qualifications

• Care Certificate or willingness to complete within probationary period.
• NVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care or equivalent experience.
• Literacy and numeracy skills appropriate to the role.
• Evidence of ongoing professional development.

Responsibilities

• Act as the ward's Carers Champion, promoting carer involvement in assessment, care planning, reviews and discharge planning.
• Provide carers information, advice and signposting on ward processes and services.
• Support Triangle of Care standards and represent carers' views in care planning.
• Organise and facilitate carers' groups and keep information resources current.
• Maintain links with local carers' organisations and support agencies.
• Support planning and delivery of therapeutic activities with the MDT and Activities Coordinator.
• Facilitate activities for patients with dementia and assist with community outings where appropriate.
• Provide person-centred care under supervision, including personal care and daily living activities.
• Observe changes in health or behaviour and contribute to risk assessments and interventions.

Skills

Person-centred care

Dementia awareness

Independent working

Activity facilitation

Team collaboration

Education

Care Certificate or willingness to complete

NVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care

Tools

Electronic patient records

Job description

This Carers Champion and Activities Link post is on Belvedere Ward, a 14-bed older persons mental health assessment unit at Devon Partnership NHS Trust, specialising in dementia and other organic mental health conditions. The holder is the ward's contact for carers and families, shaping their involvement in care planning and discharge, and helps run therapeutic activities with the Activities Coordinator. Band 3 healthcare assistant duties and clinical support for short-term staffing needs sit alongside this. The Care Certificate, or willingness to complete it in probation, is required.

What the job involves

• Act as the ward's Carers Champion, promoting carer involvement in assessment, care planning, reviews and discharge planning
• Give carers information, advice and signposting on ward processes, support services, benefits, advocacy and community resources
• Support implementation of Triangle of Care standards and represent carers' views in care planning and reviews
• Organise and facilitate carers' groups and feedback opportunities, and keep carers' information resources current
• Maintain links with local carers' organisations and support agencies
• Support planning and delivery of therapeutic, recreational and social activities with the Activities Coordinator, Occupational Therapy team and wider MDT
• Facilitate individual and group activities for patients with dementia, cognitive impairment and mental health needs, adapting them to differing abilities, and assist with community outings where appropriate
• Provide person-centred care under the supervision of registered staff, including personal care, nutrition, hydration, mobility and daily living activities
• Observe and report changes in physical health, mental state or behaviour, and contribute to risk assessment, risk management and therapeutic interventions
• Undertake delegated physical healthcare tasks and monitoring, and take part in observation levels and engagement plans as directed
• Keep accurate electronic patient records and communicate with patients, carers and colleagues, attending handovers, MDT and ward meetings
• Identify and report safeguarding concerns, elevate concerns to registered staff, work within Trust policies, and contribute to audit and service improvement

What’s required

Qualifications

• Care Certificate or willingness to complete within probationary period
• NVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care or equivalent experience
• Literacy and numeracy skills appropriate to the role
• Evidence of ongoing professional development

Experience

• Experience in a health, social care or mental health setting supporting vulnerable adults
• Experience working as part of a multidisciplinary team
• Experience maintaining accurate records and documentation

Skills & knowledge

• Understanding of person-centred care
• Understanding of dementia and older people's mental health needs
• Understanding of the role and importance of carers within mental health services
• Ability to work independently and manage workload effectively
• Ability to facilitate meaningful activities for individuals and groups

Other

• Commitment to supporting carers as partners in care
• Resilient, emotionally aware, enthusiastic and motivated
• Ability to undertake the physical demands of the role
• Ability to respond to emergency situations

Nice to have

• Qualification in dementia care, mental health care or therapeutic activities
• Training in carers' support or family interventions
• PMVA or physical intervention training
• Knowledge of the Triangle of Care framework
• Knowledge of local carers' support services and voluntary sector organisations
• Experience facilitating group activities and understanding of meaningful engagement
• Experience in dementia or older people's mental health services, or on an inpatient ward
• Experience supporting service development initiatives

What’s offered

• Part-time and flexible working applications considered and supported where possible