Dementia Wellbeing Connector Carmarthenshire

Age Cymru Dyfed; Wales; Hybrid; GBP 25,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

An organization focused on wellbeing for individuals living with Dementia is seeking a Dementia Wellbeing Connector in Wales. The role encompasses providing tailored support, managing caseloads, and collaborating with various agencies to promote happiness and health for individuals with Dementia. Essential skills include effective communication, understanding of dementia challenges, and the ability to work independently while supporting clients throughout their care journey.

Qualifications

• Ability to listen and establish rapport with people.
• Knowledge of complex issues faced by those living with Dementia.
• Experience working with care protocols and GDPR.

Responsibilities

• Provide tailored support plans for individuals living with Dementia.
• Liaise with partners for referrals and manage client records accurately.
• Raise community awareness and champion the needs of those with Dementia.

Skills

Effective communication

Understanding dementia issues

Mental health awareness

Legislation awareness

Health care knowledge

Policy adherence

Objectivity

Autonomy in work

Collaborative working

Job description

In order to support a regional approach to Dementia, based on the Dementia Strategy published by the West Wales Regional Partnership Board in 2023¹, Hywel Dda University Health Board have commissioned Age Cymru Dyfed to deliver a three-county wide Regional Dementia Wellbeing Connector Service.

This service seeks to support people living with Dementia (PLWD) and their carers to have full wrap-around support that will assist the PLWD in navigating their individual journey while living with Dementia and increase their overall wellbeing as much as possible.

The service will comprise a team of Dementia Wellbeing Connectors who will work from Diagnosis to end of life or Care Home admittance to provide a holistic and person-centred support service to those living with Dementia and their carers/family.

The Connectors will champion the needs of those living with Dementia to ensure they are met. They will coproduce client led, individualised well- being support plans and then work to support the PLWD to meet the goals within them, whilst providing consistent information advice and assistance, signposting, and onward referrals as well as additional support requirements tailored to individuals on a case-by-case basis.

The service will also lead on providing Dementia education to local communities, building on the good work undertaken through the Dementia Friendly Communities initiative and to other relevant, local, and regional organisations. Service provision will be adaptable and could be either, face-to-face, online, and/or telephone to meet the needs of the PLWD and their carer.

Key responsibilities of the role:

• Providing a flexible coordinated wraparound support to enable efficient and effective navigation through health, social care, and third sector services, with support for the wellbeing of the people living with dementia (PLWD) throughout their journey from diagnosis through to end of life or admission into a care home.
• Maintaining and effectively manage a caseload, providing wellbeing support plans to PLWD that enable them to adapt to changes they may experience and provide appropriate support based on their changing needs.
• Liaising with referring partners to receive, assess and process in-bound referrals for the service.
• Ensuring that accurate client records are kept and that all relevant information, is recorded by the team in line with GDPR.
• Ensuring that contact SLAs are met and that service users have an initial contact within 48 working hours following receipt of referral, to discuss next steps. Face to face appointments are arranged within 10 working days and Wellbeing Support Plans are provided to the PLWD within 20 working days of first appointment.
• Ensuring that every PLWD, and their carers/family members, receive access to clear and timely information, advice, and guidance about the support available to them.
• Work alongside individuals in a manner that is strengths-based and person-centred, enabling them to be in control and participate as much as possible.
• Championing the needs and rights of the individual living with dementia, respecting their choices, and supporting communication of their views when asked, and promoting rights-based approaches across the Dementia Service.
• Identifying where further ‘added value’ support could be offered either through Age Cymru Dyfed’s other services – e.g., Information and Advice, Befriending Life Links, Digital Support, Practical Services, etc., or another service provider.
• Providing structured on-going support and follow up reviews or keeping in touch calls tailored to the needs of the PLWD as required.
• Facilitating service users’ ability to communicate in their language of choice.
• Developing networks with relevant external professional and partner organisations who also work in the field of dementia, memory loss, and other health and social care organisations.
• Raising community awareness of people living with Dementia supporting West Wales to become a Dementia Friendly region.

Skills, Qualities, and Experience	Essential (E) or Desirable (D)
The ability to listen and communicate effectively and establish a good rapport with people.	E
A knowledge and understanding of the complex and difficult issues faced by people living with Dementia (and their carers) in west Wales.	E
An understanding of mental health and well-being issues, including Dementia and carer stress	E
An awareness of primary legislation in Wales seeking to address these issues.	E
A broad understanding of health and social care issues for people living with Dementia and those who care for and of support them	E
Experience of adhering to policies and procedures, including those linked to consent, GDPR, adult safeguarding, etc	E
The ability to work objectively, in a person-centred way, effectively liaising with others including but not limited to clients, their carers, health and social care professional, other providers of service, etc	E
The ability to work with a high degree of autonomy; to manage time effectively and prioritise referrals that target those in greatest need.	E
Experience of and commitment to collaborative working and co- production. The ability to make home visits as necessary.	E
Knowledge of the welfare benefits framework and the ability to undertake benefits checks and provide advice to level 4 of the advice framework.(Training will be provided)	D
A knowledge of the framework and organisation of service providing agencies relevant to older people living with Dementia and their well- being needs across Dyfed	D
Spoken and written Welsh to a minimum of level 3.	D
Previous experience of working with individuals living with Dementia and/or their carers.	D

This job description is intended as a summary of the main elements of the job described. They may be varied from time to time in consultation with the job holder without changing the general character of the duties or the level of responsibility entailed. Such variations are a common occurrence and cannot of themselves justify a reconsideration of the grading of the post.

Additional requirements

• Satisfactory Enhanced DBS check and personal references
• Current full UK driving licence and full use of a car for work purposes with the appropriate business insurance cover in place