Dementia Practitioner (Willows Edge) - 05049

West Berkshire Council; Newbury; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 28,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Training and development opportunities

Local Government pension scheme

Family friendly policies

Local discounts

Wellbeing Programme including EAP and

Annual leave starting at 27 days

Job summary

West Berkshire Council is seeking a Dementia Practitioner to provide compassionate, person-centred care to residents living with dementia at Willows Edge. You will support daily living, promote dignity and independence, and work closely with families and the wider care team.

Commitment to understanding each resident’s life story, adapting communication, maintaining accurate care records, and safeguarding residents are essential.

Qualifications

• Willingness to undertake basic training e.g. care certificate.
• QCF level 2 in health and social care.
• Previous experience of working in the care sector.
• Experience of working within a dementia service.
• Willingness to undertake training to extend skills and to assist in the development of the role.
• Good communication skills and ability to work as part of a team.
• Ability to read and write clear reports.
• Ability to remain calm in a difficult situation.
• Respect confidentiality.
• Kind, patient, calm, enthusiastic, empathetic,
• Awareness of the diversity of clients cultural and social backgrounds.
• Knowledge of issues in the protection of vulnerable adults.
• Ability to work flexible, every other weekend is included.
• Enhanced DBS check and relevant barred list

Responsibilities

• Provide person-centred care – Support residents with their daily living needs, promoting dignity, privacy, independence, choice and respect while recognising each resident as an individual.
• Understand and support residents living with dementia – Use a kind, patient and reassuring approach, adapting communication and care to meet each resident’s individual needs, abilities and understanding.
• Promote independence and wellbeing – Encourage residents to maintain their skills, make choices and participate in everyday activities, supporting their physical, emotional and social wellbeing.
• Support meaningful activities and engagement – Spend quality time with residents, encourage social interaction and participate in activities that reflect their interests, life stories and personal preferences.
• Recognise and respond to changing needs – Observe and report changes in residents’ health, mood, behaviour or mobility, recognising that distress may be a way of communicating an unmet need.
• Maintain accurate care records – Complete care documentation, daily records and observations accurately and promptly using Nourish, ensuring information is shared with colleagues to maintain safe, consistent care.
• Work effectively as part of the team – Communicate respectfully with colleagues, families and visiting professionals, contribute to handovers and support a positive team culture where residents always come first.
• Maintain high standards of care and safety – Follow care plans, risk assessments, safeguarding procedures, infection prevention guidance and organisational policies, ensuring residents are safe, comfortable and treated with compassion at all times.

Skills

Good communication

Team player

Report writing

Calm under pressure

Empathy

Education

QCF level 2 in health and social care

Job description

At Willows Edge, we are a dedicated team committed to providing compassionate, person-centred care to people living with dementia. We believe in creating a warm, welcoming and supportive environment where every resident feels safe, valued, respected and able to live as meaningful and fulfilling a life as possible.

Our team works closely together, supporting one another, sharing knowledge and ideas, and building positive relationships with residents, their families and the wider multidisciplinary team.

We are looking for someone who shares our passion for dementia care and understands that it is about much more than meeting physical needs; it is about understanding each person’s life story, recognising their individuality, promoting independence and treating everyone with dignity, patience and kindness.

We are looking for a Dementia Practitioner who is enthusiastic, approachable, compassionate and committed to making a genuine difference to people’s lives. You will be someone who leads by example, encourages best practice, supports colleagues to develop their dementia care skills and brings a positive, proactive attitude to the team. You will have a good understanding of dementia, excellent communication skills and the ability to respond sensitively to changing needs, behaviours and emotions.

Most importantly, we want someone with a genuine heart for dementia care, who sees the person behind the diagnosis, values teamwork and is motivated to help create a home where residents feel understood, listened to and truly cared for.

The role

• Provide person – centred – care – Support residents with their daily living needs, promoting dignity, privacy, independence, choice and respect while recognising each resident as an individual.
• Understand and support residents living with dementia – Use a kind, patient and reassuring approach, adapting communication and care to meet each resident’s individual needs, abilities and understanding.
• Promote independence and wellbeing – Encourage residents to maintain their skills, make choices and participate in everyday activities, supporting their physical, emotional and social wellbeing.
• Support meaningful activities and engagement – Spend quality time with residents, encourage social interaction and participate in activities that reflect their interests, life stories and personal preferences.
• Recognise and respond to changing needs – Observe and report changes in residents’ health, mood, behaviour or mobility, recognising that distress may be a way of communicating an unmet need.
• Maintain accurate care records – Complete care documentation, daily records and observations accurately and promptly using Nourish, ensuring information is shared with colleagues to maintain safe, consistent care.
• Work effectively as part of the team – Communicate respectfully with colleagues, families and visiting professionals, contribute to handovers and support a positive team culture where residents always come first.
• Maintain high standards of care and safety – Follow care plans, risk assessments, safeguarding procedures, infection prevention guidance and organisational policies, ensuring residents are safe, comfortable and treated with compassion at all times.

The ideal candidate would have the following qualifications, skills and attributes:

• Willingness to undertake basic training e.g. care certificate
• QCF level 2 in health and social care
• Previous experience of working in the care sector
• Experience of working within a dementia service
• Willingness to undertake training to extend skills and to assist in the development of the role
• Good communication skills and ability to work as part of a team
• Ability to read and write clear reports
• Ability to remain calm in a difficult situation
• Respect confidentiality
• Kind, patient, calm, enthusiastic, empathetic,
• Awareness of the diversity of clients cultural and social backgrounds
• Knowledge of issues in the protection of vulnerable adults
• Ability to work flexible, every other weekend is included
• Enhanced DBS check and relevant barred list

West Berkshire Council Offer Excellent Employment Benefits Such As

• Access to a wide range of training and development opportunities
• Generous Local Government pension scheme
• Family friendly policies
• A range of local discounts
• Wellbeing Programme including Employee Assistance Programme and employee benefits
• You will also be entitled to a generous annual leave entitlement starting at 27 days per annum (plus public holidays) Rising by an additional 5 days after 5 years’ service.

Please note that the closing date is given as a guide. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role.

Join us at West Berkshire Council and make a positive impact in our community while advancing your career. Explore everything that a career with West Berkshire Council has to offer here: Working with Us

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact: Magdalena Pitney Baxter on 0163545252 or [e-mail]

The Council supports Equal Opportunity of employment and positively encourages applications from people who fall within any of the nine protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010.

This role has been identified as public facing in accordance with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016; the requirement to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence in English applies.

This role involves regulated activity with adults at risk. As such, appointment is subject to an Enhanced DBS check with the relevant Barred List(s).

In this post you will be required to maintain continuous registration with the DBS Update Service for the duration of your employment.

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