Community Alarm Officer

Pertemps Harrow; Greater London; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

London Borough of Harrow is seeking a Community Alarm Officer to join the Careline Service. Based at Harrow Civic Hub, you will provide emergency response and out-of-hours support to elderly and vulnerable residents across the borough.

This essential frontline role requires a valid UK driving licence, access to a car, Enhanced DBS, and the ability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays on a 24-hour rota.

Qualifications

• Experience caring for others or supporting vulnerable people.
• Experience handling emergencies calmly and effectively.
• Excellent spoken and written communication with elderly and vulnerable people.
• Strong record-keeping and reporting abilities.
• Current First Aid certificate and willingness to ongoing training.
• Physical ability to assist frail/disabled residents.
• Flexibility to work a 24-hour rota, including weekends/bank holidays.

Responsibilities

• Provide emergency response and support to residents via Helpline Alarm Service when keyholders are unavailable.
• Carry out Daily Rounds at sheltered housing schemes when wardens are off duty.
• Respond to emergency calls, gain access, summon help, and update the Helpline Service.
• Maintain accurate records of actions during calls and incidents.
• Report defects or urgent repairs to maintenance or helpline teams.
• Assist with routine fire alarm tests and safety equipment as required.
• Support Careline Control Station operations and call handling as needed.

Skills

Empathy

Emergency response

Communication skills

Record-keeping

First Aid

Physical fitness

Flexible shifts

Job description

Role: Community Alarm Officer

Location: Harrow Civic Hub, Forward Drive, HA3 8NT (with travel across the Borough)

Employer: Pertemps Recruitment Partnership (on behalf of London Borough of Harrow)

Contract: Temporary - Initially 3 months, with potential for extension

Hours: 36 hours per week, including evenings, weekends and bank holidays as part of a 24-hour rota

Work Style: On-site / Mobile working

Rate: 17.26 per hour PAYE / 22.44 Umbrella

Pertemps Recruitment Partnership is seeking a dedicated and compassionate Community Alarm Officer to join the Careline Service at the London Borough of Harrow.

This is an essential front-line role providing emergency response and support to elderly and vulnerable residents across the borough, ensuring their safety and well-being out of hours.

Please note: A valid UK driving licence, access to a car, business insurance and Enhanced DBS are required for this role.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide emergency response and support to elderly and disabled residents linked to the Helpline Alarm Service when nominated keyholders are unavailable.
• Carry out planned "Daily Rounds" at sheltered housing schemes when resident wardens are off duty or absent, delivering a full support service equivalent to the resident warden.
• Attend emergency calls without delay, gaining access, summoning help, providing physical assistance where appropriate, contacting relatives, emergency services, and updating the Helpline Service throughout.
• Maintain accurate and detailed records of all actions taken during emergency and routine calls.
• Report defects or urgent repairs within both council and non-council premises to the relevant maintenance or helpline teams.
• In the absence of resident wardens, carry out routine fire alarm testing, smoke alarm battery replacement, programming of key fobs, and support for CCTV systems.
• Provide access for contractors and ensure buildings are secure following incidents such as break-ins.
• Relay important welfare information about clients to Care Management teams and liaise closely with resident wardens, scheme staff, and other services.
• Support Careline Control Station operations as required, including alarm installation duties and call handling backup.

Requirements:

• Experience of caring for others or supporting vulnerable people in a paid or voluntary capacity.
• Experience of dealing with emergencies calmly and effectively.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to engage sensitively with elderly and vulnerable people.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including accurate record-keeping and clear reporting.
• Current First Aid certificate and willingness to participate in ongoing training and development.
• Physically able to assist or transfer frail/disabled residents when required.
• Flexibility to work shifts as part of a 24-hour rota, including weekends and bank holidays.