First Connect Co-ordinator, Southern Trust area

This exciting post provides an excellent opportunity for someone who possesses the passion and commitment to work in a progressive organisation and help us achieve our vision - a world where everyone can love later life.

First Connect Co-ordinator, Southern Trust

The main purpose of this role is to provide empathetic and sensitive emotional support to older people and when appropriate connect them to internal and external services thereby supporting independence and quality of life.

The main responsibilities of the role are:

• To build a trusting and supportive relationship with older people who have emotional support needs
• To ensure  a confidential and person-centred approach to assess need and secure appropriate interventions
• To enable older people to avail of appropriate  services provided by AgeNI and other statutory and community/voluntary agencies
• To work in conjunction  with other teams (internal & external) to develop links and partnerships with both statutory and voluntary agencies
• To advocate and represent the individual’s needs when liaising with statutory and voluntary agencies
• To ensure the individual remains at the centre of decisions and manage the expectations of the individual
• To actively seek to identify ways to achieve continuous improvement of the service
• To recruit, train and support a team of volunteers and to support informal and formal volunteering opportunities
• To  manage an effective and confidential system for service delivery
• To maintain clear records of work undertaken including assessment and review reports
• To provide data for use in service development process with Line Manager
• To participate in the development of evidence based practice
• To adhere to established policies and procedures.

Applicants must have the following essential experience:

• Experience of assessing and identifying the emotional, psychological and physical needs of older people
• Proven experience of  working within a  client centred context
• Experience of using a computerised recording system
• Significant experience of working in a similar environment

Applicants must have the following essential knowledge:

• Knowledge of person centred approach or innovative models of working with older people at times of lifestyle change
• Knowledge of the ageing process and a positive awareness of the diversity of ageing
• Up to date knowledge and awareness of community care and other issues affecting older people
• Knowledge and understanding of service provision for older people provided by statutory and voluntary agencies including social services and other health, housing providers and Age NI
• Knowledge and understanding of care planning and assessment best practice 

Applicants must have the following essential skills:

• Level 5 Diploma in Leadership for Health & Social Care Services (Adults’ Management) Wales & Northern Ireland (Desirable)
• Professional Social Work qualification  recognised by the NISCC (Desirable)
• Professional Counselling qualification recognised by BAC (Desirable)

Applicants must have the following:

• Ability to travel extensively throughout Northern Ireland
• Post holder will be subject to an enhanced Access NI check
• Full driving licence and access to a car for business purposes or access to a form of transport that will meet the travel requirements of the post

What Age NI can offer you:

Salary: £25,586 - £26,933 per annum

Hours: 35 hours Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm, with flexible working policy.

Fixed Term Contract to 30 June 2020

Annual Leave: 26 days (rising to 27 days after 4 years) plus 12 Bank Holidays

Westfield Health Foresight Plan

Age NI reserve the right to enhance the essential criteria to facilitate shortlisting.

For an applicant pack, please e-mail [email protected], apply online at www.ageni.org or telephone 028 9024 5729.

Closing date for completed applications is 4:00pm on Wednesday 23 May 2018

Age NI is committed to providing equal opportunities to everyone. We particularly welcome male applicants, as they are currently under-represented within Age NI.