This is a temporary position until March 2027
Job Title/ position
Community Link Worker: Ukraine Support
Location
Home based but the role requires travel within Hertfordshire, including home visits and supporting local hospitals.
Hours
35 hours per weekSalary
£26,223 (includes some weekend working)
Contract
Fixed term until March 2027
Reports to
Service Deputy Manager
Working with
Volunteers
The Service
Commissioned by Hertfordshire County Council, the Hospital & Community Navigation Service (HCNS) is comprised of seven voluntary organisations who, working as a partnership, provide hospital discharge and social prescribing services to Hertfordshire residents. The partner organisation hosting this role is British Red Cross.
Main purpose of the role:
* Supporting guests once intention to move on from sponsors accommodation is clear and no alternative accommodation has been arranged.
* Meet with both guest(s) and sponsor(s) to understand the key issues driving the decision.
* Understand the holistic needs and refer and link into any additional support or social prescribing as required.
* If there is potential to work with the guests and families to keep the existing arrangement in place, then assess this and work with HCC Community Wellbeing Team and existing community support available to facilitate this.
* Provide triage service to the re-matching team and housing teams about the level of need and urgency to be either re-matched or provided with emergency accommodation.
* Provide support to the family to help them understand the options that are available to them, including sitting with them whilst housing and re-matching teams explain options.
* They will provide practical and emotional supporting them to make the best decision possible for them and facilitate the initiation of that decision.
* In the case of emergency breakdown or as need is assessed, they can also provide emergency vouchers, food parcels, refer into HILS Meals on Wheels service and signpost to foodbanks.
* In times when there is less need for move on transition support, the service will also provide individual housing support for families sourcing their own homes.
* Support the partnership and the voluntary and community sector and other local partners to deliver of an effective and integrated service which helps people access the support they need in their own communities.
Responsibilities
* Hold a caseload of clients and provide support and information to those clients, so they can build sustainable relationships with groups and activities which will help build resilience and independence.
* Record and report activities undertaken and highlight any changes in a service user's condition or circumstance and ensure that appropriate actions are taken to support the person.
* Liaise with primary care, social care, health, housing and other professionals to ensure that the needs of the individual are consistently met.
* To create short, medium and longer-term goals with clients, through on-going personalised care and support planning, to provide appropriate support and achieve positive outcomes.
* Build strong professional and collaborative relationships with colleagues within their Primary Care Network, attending relevant meetings and being part of the network team;
* Use HCNS and Primary Care Network case management system to record and share progress.
* Via HCNS and each GP surgery, access regular "clinical supervision" meetings to enable you to deal effectively with the difficult issues that people present.
* Assess the service users living environment through carrying out a risk assessment and providing information/advice whilst respecting their individual dignity, choice and rights.
* Accurately record, collate and produce qualitative and quantitative data required to demonstrate outcomes.
* Collect equipment like walkers and commodes from local hospitals and deliver them to clients.
* Carry out essential shopping or collecting prescriptions.
* Carry out urgent welfare checks and visits as required.
* To occasionally provide transport to service user's home by car on discharge from hospital wards, A&E departments & community hospitals.
* To undertake training as required and be prepared to travel throughout appropriate areas to attend any relevant meetings.
* Undertake any other relevant duties that may be required by the management teams or wider service leads.
* Willingness to work flexibly around the needs of the service (Weekend working is required).
Person Specification
* Demonstrates a passion for delivering agreed outcomes.
* Works well under pressure.
* Self-motivated and able to carry out tasks with minimal supervision.
* Strong team player and able to work effectively as part of a locality, area and Countywide team.
* Flexible, innovative and adaptable and has a 'can do' approach and attitude.
* Good understanding of the voluntary and statutory sector and ideally the specific locality area.
* Skilled at using user feedback to demonstrate outcomes and improve services.
* Demonstrates personal accountability.
* Works confidently with service users, partners and stakeholders to find effective solutions.
* Effective administrative skills and an excellent standard of IT skills including MS Office, the internet and appropriate software.
* Essential to have experience or the ability to confidently learn new systems or databases i.e. Clear 2 system, Charity Log, Salesforce, Joy etc.
Experience
* Recent experience of working directly in a community development context, adult health and social care, learning support or public health/health improvement (including unpaid work) is desired.
Service Delivery
* Adhere to policies and procedures regarding data protection and confidentiality
* Accurately record, collate and produce qualitative and quantitative data required to demonstrate outcomes.
* Comply with Health & Safety policies including, but not limited to, those on lone working, manual handling and infection control.
* Ensure service users' health and wellbeing is preserved and safeguarding policies and procedures are followed at all times.
* Work with colleagues to ensure that health and safety legislation and risk assessments are understood and implemented.
* Work in partnership with the District and Borough Councils, Housing Associations, local Voluntary Organisations and Forums to ensure that the project is effectively used and understood.
* Identify gaps in services and relay to management.
* Deliver great outcomes for individuals and the service.
* Ensure that clients develop sustainable relationships with organisations and services
* Link clients to existing resources in the community to help them to live well and avoid crisis
* Focus on tackling health inequalities through the identification of the most vulnerable communities.
HCNS Values
The Hospital & Community Navigation service has teams based locally that will understand their local populations, and support people over the age of 18 who are returning home from hospital or are in need of additional support due to ill health. Helping to find, navigate and access community-based support.
The below values have been written and picked by staff within HCNS, to express how we operate and behave as a service:
Active Listening - To recognise other people's perspective and feelings, promoting respect and understanding.
Empowering - Valuing abilities, goals, and strengths. Having the right tools and information to achieve results, to enable confidence and independence.
Community Focused - Focused on how we can support and strengthen our communities. Being the local 'eyes and ears' to connect and open up new initiatives.
Dynamic - Moving forward as one team, adapting, learning, and embracing change. Being able to try new things and grow as a service.
Inclusive - Being open to all, celebrating and valuing people's uniqueness. Taking diverse feedback to create change and promote a safe space for people to share views.
Additional Information
Full Driving Licence and Access to a Vehicle for work purposes is required for this role.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check: An enhanced DBS disclosure will be required for this post.
Confidentiality: Attention is drawn to the confidential aspects of this job and personable responsibility and liability under the Data Protection Act 1998.
Health & Safety: The post holder is required to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of other people who may be affected by their acts or omissions at work and to ensure that statutory regulations, service policies, codes of practice and safety rules are adhered to.
Equality and Diversity Policy Statement: We believe that equality for all is a basic human right and actively oppose all forms of unlawful and unfair discrimination. We celebrate the diversity of society and are striving to promote and reflect that diversity within this service.
Staff may not unreasonably refuse a request to undertake any task which is appropriate to their level for which they have the necessary skills and / or experience. Any resulting change to their objectives and priorities will be discussed and confirmed with their line manager.
Appointment to this position is subject to satisfactory references.