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The UK economy saves over £132 BILLION every year because of the work that unpaid Carers do day-in, day-out.

BUT WHO SUPPORTS THOSE CARERS?

Here at Devon Carers, we support over 27,000 unpaid carers, ensuring their health and wellbeing is taken care of.

Devon Carers is a service delivered by Westbank and is one of the largest and most successful carer’s services in the UK. Westbank is a well-established charity based in Exminster that aims to promote and improve the health and wellbeing of people in the local community, across Devon and beyond.

We are looking for people who have the right values, behaviours, and attitudes to work effectively with people at challenging times in their lives. That is being able to treat people with dignity and respect, being able to learn and reflect on practice, and being part of a team that is committed to quality care and support.

If you are somebody who sees yourself as respectful, compassionate, empathetic, and able to contribute and make a difference to people's lives, then we have a rare opportunity for you. Come and join our dedicated, committed, and fantastic team!

The Role

Acting as the first point of contact for all enquiries to Devon Carers; ensuring that all incoming enquiries received via telephone, online, email, and webchat are dealt with in a friendly and professional manner.

Your role is to provide advice, guidance, and support, whilst directing carers to the appropriate support services, and completing onward referrals in a timely manner.

You will provide an empathetic ear for carers in distress, helping to de-escalate the immediate situation, allowing the carer to engage with support.

The role is varied, where no two days are the same. You will be receiving incoming contacts as well as making outbound calls to carers who have been referred into our service, either by another professional or by themselves. You will be screening each contact and making decisions as to the urgency of need for that individual.

The role will involve working early and late shifts between the hours of 07:45 – 18:15 Monday to Friday and 08:45 to 13:15 Saturday.

Full details can be found in the Job Description.

The Person

• Understanding of unpaid carers and their issues
• You will provide an empathetic ear for carers in distress, helping to de-escalate the immediate situation, enabling them to engage with support.
• Knowledge / understanding of health and social care services / provision.
• Good communication, with the ability to listen and question effectively, and adapt style to suit the situation.
• Excellent interpersonal, empathy, and rapport-building skills with the ability to deal with sensitive, highly personal, and confidential information in a tactful manner to ensure it is handled appropriately.
• Evidence that the candidate meets the basic skills set for use of computers/databases/MS packages as appropriate for the role.
• Evidence of excellent administration, organisational, and record-keeping skills, and ability to write in a clear, concise, and professional manner.
• Positive and flexible approach to working in a contact centre.
• Ability to work as a member of a professional team to meet shared objectives.
• Prepared to work flexibly to meet the needs of carers and Devon Carers.
• A previous understanding of the Care Act 2014 is desirable, but a willingness to learn and understand about the Act is what really matters.

What we are looking for

• Experience of providing advice or support in a similar customer-focused role
• Good knowledge/understanding of carers and their issues – or health and social care services/provision.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to organize and prioritise work effectively and use own initiative.
• Positive and flexible approach
• Excellent administration and record-keeping skills with excellent attention to detail.

DO I NEED EXPERIENCE IN THE ADULT SOCIAL CARE SECTOR?

This is an ideal role for those interested in a career in social care but lacking the necessary experience or qualification. We’ll give you the tools to learn and develop in the role. We can deliver a full program of training to ensure you’re able to flourish in the role – all you need to do is demonstrate that you have the ability and essential skills we are looking for.

The rewards

As well as a competitive salary and employee rewards package, there are exciting opportunities for progression and development during your employment. And you’ll be making a difference DAILY.

Rate of pay: £21,110.13 FTE per annum

Hours per week: full-time and part-time positions available