Service Support Worker - Waiting Well Project - Swansea
Location: Covering the Swansea area from our Swansea Office, home and community based covering the surrounding area
Contract: Fixed term to 31st March 2025
Hours: 35hrs full-time per week, 8am to 6pm flexible with some weekends and bank holidays on a rota basis.
Salary: £21,840 per annum
Do you love helping people in need? Are you looking for a rewarding role that could kick start your career in the health and social sector? We are looking for a passionate and enthusiastic person with great people skills to join our Health and Local Crisis Response Team.
In the UK, thousands of people struggle with everyday living. Whether they’re suffering from loneliness, or lack the physical ability to complete day-to-day tasks, it’s our responsibility to do what we can to help.
At the British Red Cross, we put the people that need us at the heart of what we do. As a Service Support Worker, you will provide the support and care which can make a vital difference to the quality of people’s lives, allowing them to continue living at home in comfort.
Not only will your role allow people to enjoy healthier, more fulfilling lives, but a career within Health and Local Crisis Response can be both rewarding and satisfying, providing extensive progression opportunities and allowing you to build meaningful relationships with both colleagues and service users.
About the Waiting Well Service
The service will offer support to individuals who have been waiting two years or more for elective procedures or treatment from the NHS and, through continued communication and reassurance, reduce the risk of reliance on emergency, acute and primary care health services and empower people to better self-manage their physical health and well-being as they continue to wait for treatment.
It will work in conjunction with NHS and Local Authority services enabling people to engage with their local communities, which would otherwise prove difficult due to frailty or anxiety.
Our primary objectives are to:
• Support the service user whilst they await treatment and/or admission to hospital
• Improve service user health and well-being
• Facilitate or provide practical help in their own home
• Connect service users with community-based services to support their well-being and reduce their anxiety
A day in the life of a Waiting Well Support Worker will include;
- Regular ‘What Matters’ conversations with service users to establish if there are any additional support needs to maintain independent living and enhance their quality of life.
- Carrying out an informal assessment of the service user’s wider non-clinical needs to establish if their immediate needs are met (safe home environment, basic food supplies, hot water, heating, etc.).
- Emotional support such as sitting with someone or speaking on the phone to someone who is confused, distressed, enabling discussion about their concerns.
- Arranging for shopping and other services.
- Identify and act on any safeguarding concerns.
- Signposting and supported referral to other community-based services that can support individuals to stay well at home.
- Liaise with BRC’s other local services such as Mobility Aids services and Third Sector liaison officers.
- Signposting and supported referral to other agencies and third sector partners including Falls Prevention, Care & Repair, Carers Support, Age Cymru, Alzheimer’s Society etc.
To be a successful Waiting Well Support Worker;
- You can make things great. You know how to improve service quality for the benefit of users.
- You’re professional. You can deal with queries in a diplomatic and confidential manner.
- You love being flexible. Working hours out with the norm suits you.
- Educated to GCSE level (or equivalent by experience).
- IT literate.
- Full driving licence holder and access to own vehicle.
- Have a good knowledge of services provided by the NHS and Social Care.
Closing date for applications is 8th May 2024.
Please note that early application is encouraged, as we’ll be reviewing applications throughout the advertising period and reserve the right to close the advert in advance of the advertised closing date.
In return for your dedication and expertise, you’ll get:
- Holidays: 36 days annual leave (including bank holidays) + option to buy 5 extra days.
- Pension scheme: Up to 6% contributory pension.
- Flexible working: We do our best to accommodate your preferred work style.
- Learning & Development: Wide range of career opportunities + comprehensive learning.
- Discounts: Access to Blue Light Discount Card and employee benefits platform.
- Wellbeing Assistance: Access to mental health and wellbeing assistance.
- Team Working: Champion our mission in a collaborative team.
- Cycle2Work: Lease a bicycle through the scheme.
- Season ticket loan: Interest-free loan for commuting expenses.
We are proud to participate in the disability confident scheme for roles based in the UK. During the application process, you will be asked if you wish to apply under the scheme.
At The British Red Cross, we pride ourselves on our diverse workforce, and ensuring we have an inclusive environment for all our staff and volunteers. We remain dedicated to ensuring our teams can bring their true selves to work without risk or fear of discrimination. We do this through regular data reporting, and the assistance of our internal Race and Equality Network (REEN), LGBT+ Network, our Disability and Wellness Network (DAWN), Gender Network, Carers Network and Youth Network.
Connecting human kindness with human crisis