Dementia Support Worker

Wakefield Hospice; Wakefield; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Wakefield Hospice is seeking a Dementia Support Worker to provide practical, emotional and educational support to people living with dementia and their family carers. You will manage an allocated caseload, undertake reviews, identify changing needs and coordinate access to health, social care, hospice and community services.

You will work with the Dementia Care Lead and the wider multidisciplinary team to promote wellbeing, maintain independence and support future care planning.

Qualifications

• Experience in dementia care or support work.
• Ability to undertake holistic assessments and reviews.
• Skilled in coordinating care with health and social care services.

Responsibilities

• Manage an allocated caseload of people living with dementia and carers with regular reviews.
• Undertake holistic assessments, identifying needs and risks affecting wellbeing.
• Recognise deterioration and escalate concerns when needed.
• Coordinate access to health, social care, hospice and community resources.
• Provide emotional support and information to people and carers.
• Support future care planning and ongoing independence.
• Support dementia education and carer programmes; act as staff/resource liaison.

Skills

Caseload management

Assessment skills

Communication

Safeguarding awareness

Job description

Working as part of the Hospice Dementia Service, the Dementia Support Worker will provide practical, emotional and educational support to people living with dementia and their family carers. The post holder will manage an allocated caseload, undertaking reviews, identifying changing needs, coordinating support and helping individuals access appropriate health, social care, hospice and community services. They will work closely with the Dementia Care Lead and wider multidisciplinary teams to promote wellbeing, maintain independence and support future care planning. The role will also contribute to dementia education, carer support programmes and service development, acting as a resource for staff, volunteers and carers.,

• Manage an allocated caseload of people living with dementia and their carers, providing person-centred support, regular review and ongoing coordination of care.
• Undertake holistic assessments, identifying needs, risks and factors affecting wellbeing, independence and quality of life.
• Recognise deterioration, emerging risks or changes in need, taking appropriate action and escalating concerns when required.
• Contribute to decisions regarding escalation of support, transfer to the moderate-severe caseload, referral to specialist services or planned discharge from the service.
• Provide emotional support, practical guidance and information to people living with dementia and those important to them.
• Support individuals and families to navigate and access appropriate health, social care, hospice and community resources.
• Encourage future care planning and ensure individuals are connected to the most appropriate support as their needs change.
• Identify and respond appropriately to safeguarding concerns in accordance with organisational policies and procedures. Wakefield Hospice is a charity providing specialist palliative and end-of-life care for people across the Wakefield district living with life-limiting illnesses. For over 35 years, the Hospice has delivered expert clinical care, emotional support, and bereavement services to patients and their families, helping people achieve the best possible quality of life when they need it most.
• It is purpose-built specialist palliative care unit, registered for 16 beds we have a dementia day service, wellbeing, bereavement support and education.