Home from Hospital Discharge Support and Admission Prevention Worker

Sheffield Churches Council for Community Care; Doncaster; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 25,000; Part time

Job summary

A community support organization in Doncaster is seeking an Admission Prevention Worker to provide essential support to older and vulnerable individuals after hospital discharge. This role involves planning pre- and post-discharge assistance, ensuring the well-being of returning home clients, and working closely with health and social care professionals. The successful candidate will need a full UK driving license and access to a vehicle. Competitive salary of £22,968.40 pro rata based on 35 hours per week, part-time hours available.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 2 years' experience in a relevant post or organization.
• Knowledge of health and safety issues.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.

Responsibilities

• Provide pre- and post-discharge support to individuals returning home.
• Assist individuals in regaining confidence to live independently.
• Supervise volunteers and ensure services are responsive.

Skills

Community engagement

Effective communication

Organizational skills

Problem-solving

Education

5 good GCSEs including English and Maths

Qualification in Community Work and/or Health and Social Care

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Overview

Sheffield Churches Council for Community Care – Home from Hospital Discharge Support and Admission Prevention Worker. Closing date: 20 October 2025. A full UK driving licence and access to your own vehicle is essential for this post.

Salary: £22,968.40 pro rata (based on 35 hours per week) (£22,616.86 - £24,386.72 Grade 4 SCP 6 7). Hours: Part-time (21 or 28 hours).

Main duties of the job

Play a pivotal role in providing excellent support to older and vulnerable people who need it. Maintain a flexible approach and adapt to changing circumstances to make a real difference within the community in Doncaster.

About us

SC SCCCC has over 50 years' experience in providing services that respond to the needs of vulnerable people in a practical and neighbourly way, complementing the care given by other service providers. We work in partnership with Sheffield Teaching Hospitals, Sheffield City Council and Sheffield Clinical Commissioning Group. We have recently started to work in the Doncaster area.

Job responsibilities

People who may benefit from this service are

• Older and vulnerable people who may be frail, socially isolated, have no relatives, living alone or with older carers and other vulnerable adults
• Older and vulnerable people who may be at risk of readmission
• Individuals or health/social care professionals who have concerns about home situations and their ability to live independently

How the Service Works

Professionals from teams in health/social care or the patient themselves contact the office to arrange assistance and practical support for people/themselves leaving hospital. The service runs Monday to Friday including bank holidays. Tasks will include:

Pre-discharge planning and support

• Make contact with individuals/carers to discuss the pre-discharge process based on needs
• Establish with permission of the individual links with family, friends, neighbours who may support after discharge
• Ensure any prescribed medication is with the individual in readiness for discharge
• Check utilities and main services are switched on and working to ensure warmth in the home
• Check food stocks and dispose of out-of-date items
• Bed made up with clean bedding
• Facilitate installation of Telecare and other equipment prior to discharge
• Provide basic foodstuffs and household essentials for initial 48 hours
• Main rooms aired and cleaned, sink cleared of dishes
• Clothes washing
• Arrange timely retrieval/return of pets where appropriate
• Prepare list of tasks completed and suggested further action

Post-discharge support

• Welcome the individual home and reassure ongoing support
• Support follow-up on any discharge-related problems with District nurses, doctors etc.
• Assist with changing anti-embolic stockings
• Signpost to relevant community activities and services
• Signpost to relevant agencies and service providers (e.g. Well Being Service, Volunteer Befriending)
• Provide low-level support in essential areas such as food preparation, shopping, prescriptions, and light household cleaning
• Undertake Level 1 falls assessment
• Provide advice on healthy lifestyle and home safety
• Signpost to benefit advice service if required
• Assist with ensuring familiarity with prescribed medications and provide prompts if required
• Provide a list of emergency numbers
• Complete a checklist to ensure identified needs have been actioned

Duties and responsibilities (dependent on the scheme)

• Work closely with team members to take referrals from a range of referrers and carry out referrals or allocate volunteers
• Plan discharges from hospital in a safe and supported way
• Aid reduction of deterioration in health and avoid inappropriate readmission through low-level practical interventions
• Assist in reducing premature admission to residential care
• Support those discharged from hospital or likely to be admitted to regain confidence to live independently
• Assist individuals reintegrate into their community and feel supported emotionally and socially
• Deliver a flexible, individual-centered service
• Provide support to informal carers
• Be available for enquiries and respond promptly
• Follow up and review referrals with volunteers, service users and providers
• Provide telephone support as appropriate
• Supervise volunteers and ensure service is responsive to their needs
• Ensure duties are carried out per SCCCC regulations, policies and procedures
• Maintain records and produce written reports as required
• Attend meetings and relevant training; liaise with fundraising to maximise donations
• Publicise the scheme; undertake other duties as required
• This description is not complete and may be amended as needed

Person Specification

Other Factors

• Car driver/owner with daily access to a vehicle
• Willing to work outside office hours (evenings and weekends) when necessary
• Evidence of reliable timekeeping and attendance
• Flexible and adaptable
• Aligned with SCCCC values and ethos
• Calm, non-judgmental; committed to Equal Opportunities and Diversity
• Willingness to learn and engage in training
• Ability to maintain confidentiality
• Clear Enhanced DBS disclosure
• Proactive engagement in supervision
• Understanding of Voluntary and Community Sector in health and social care
• Knowledge of health and safety issues

Qualifications

• 5 good GCSEs (or equivalent) including English and Maths

Further Training

• Evidence of continuing professional development
• Qualification in Community Work and/or Health and Social Care
• Understanding of needs and challenges faced by older people and families
• Ability to work with diverse individuals and organisations
• Effective communication with internal and external audiences
• Good telephone manner and sensitive handling of service users, families, and carers
• Ability to relate well to volunteers; strong organizational and administrative skills
• Methodical and accurate record keeping; MS Office proficiency
• Self-motivated; able to work independently and in a team
• Ability to work under pressure and solve problems
• Adherence to organisational policies and ethics
• Commitment to integrity

Experience

• Minimum 2 years' experience in a relevant post or organisation
• Experience contributing to a team environment
• Experience in community engagement and volunteering
• Experience working with older people
• Experience/awareness of risk assessments

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act and an enhanced DBS disclosure.

Employer name

Sheffield Churches Council for Community Care

£22,968.40 per year (pro rata based on 35 hours per week)