Dementia Activity Assistant

South Gloucestershire Council; Yate Rocks; On-site; GBP 19,000 - 23,000; Full time

Job summary

South Gloucestershire Council seeks a Dementia Activity Assistant to support individuals with dementia at Cambrian Green Day Centre. You will promote wellbeing, independence and meaningful activities in a safe, person-centred environment. The role requires empathy, effective communication and collaboration with partners to access information and support.

Please note the role requires an enhanced DBS check and a commitment to maintaining accurate records and safeguarding procedures.

Qualifications

• Experience working with people with dementia and complex needs.
• Demonstrates empathy, compassion and effective communication.
• Willingness to learn processes and use specialist equipment; may pursue NVQ2 if not held.

Responsibilities

• Encourage participation in social and therapeutic activities and provide emotional support to individuals and families.
• Provide person-centred support, information and encouragement to maximise independence and wellbeing.
• Collaborate with local community networks and support services to access information and support for service users, carers and partners.
• Maintain accurate care records, monitor changes in health and mobility, and report safeguarding concerns.

Skills

Dementia care experience

Empathy & communication

Teamwork

NVQ Level 2 qualification (or willing)

Education

NVQ Level 2 or equivalent

Job description

How you'll make a difference

As a Dementia Activity Assistant, you will support people living with dementia during their time at Cambrian Green Day Centre, ensuring their individual needs are met in a safe, welcoming and person-centred environment. The service offers a supportive environment where individuals can socialise, take part in meaningful activities and access facilities designed to meet a range of needs and abilities.

Using effective dementia communication and engagement techniques, you will encourage participation, promote wellbeing and help individuals maintain their independence, confidence and quality of life.

What you will be doing

• You will encourage service users to participate in social and therapeutic activities that enhance wellbeing, while providing compassionate emotional support to individuals and their families.
• It will be your responsibility to provide person-centred support, information, and encouragement to help people maintain and maximise their independence, confidence, and wellbeing.
• Recognising the diverse needs of people attending the centre, you will work collaboratively with local community networks, support services, and self-help groups to ensure service users, carers, and partner organisations can access relevant information and support.
• To ensure safe and effective service delivery, you will maintain accurate care records, monitor and report any changes in health and mobility, and take appropriate action in line with safeguarding procedures.

What we need from you

• We are looking for someone with experience working in a similar service area with people who have complex needs linked to dementia, including challenging behaviour.
• It is essential that you can demonstrate empathy, compassion, and effective communication skills, with the ability to build positive and trusting relationships.
• You will have the ability to learn and apply relevant processes, procedures, and the safe use of specialist equipment.
• You may hold a vocational qualification, such as a NVQ Level 2 or equivalent, or be willing to work towards achieving this if not already held.

What you need to know

• Please note that due to the nature of this role it is a requirement of employment that an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check is obtained for this post.

Interviews are likely to be held week commencing 16th November.

How a career at South Gloucestershire Council is different

• As part of our benefits package, you will receive generous annual leave (pro rata), employee wellbeing support and you will have access to a range of staff discounts, including eye tests, travel, shopping and leisure activities.
• We recognise that our diverse team of skilled and dedicated people make us a great place to work. We welcome applications from everyone and ensure that individuals are selected, promoted and developed on the basis of their merits and abilities.
• We know our team work best when they have balance in their lives, and we offer genuine flexibility to help them achieve that work/life balance.
• We value our staff as individuals, investing in their careers and we are recognised for the quality, breadth and depth of our training and development offer, which helps make the greatest long-term difference in work.

Our teams at South Gloucestershire Council are making a real difference to the lives of people who live, work and learn here.

• We're building and shaping communities which people are proud of.
• We're planning for the future; building and improving the roads, railways, schools, green spaces, and houses.
• We're providing essential services across our communities to ensure they are safe and well maintained.

We've achieved a great deal, but we need talented and dedicated people to ensure we continue to make a difference.

We're making a difference, be part of it!