Befriending service project worker jobs

Job Purpose

• The hospital to home service works collaboratively with hospitals to support people
when they are discharged from hospital to return home. As a Hospital to Home
Outreach Worker you will provide temporary practical and emotional support to service
users within their home and make sure they understand the care and treatment choices
available to them. The service is time limited, usually up to 4 or 6 weeks, to adjust and
settle back in their homes.

Key Tasks

• Assess the needs of service users either in hospital before discharge, or in their homes,
and understand what barriers and enablers there might be to moving home.
• Aid the discharge process and improve patient experience through tasks such as:
• Key cutting
• Co-ordinating with colleagues for the setup of the home environment
• Checking heating, electric and gas is functional prior to discharge
• Allowing access to the property for cleaning/repairs
• Provide (and/or arrange) the practical and emotional support needed to enable
service users to move home and/or remain safely at home.
• Be vigilant and make referrals/signpost for additional needs that our wider team, or
partners can support. E.g. for benefit checks, energy advice, carers support,
befriending.
• Help maximise service user independence by adopting an enabling approach.
• Develop a listening and caring relationship with the service user and their
families/carers.
• Provide domestic practical support within the home such as:
• Light cleaning,
• Washing (e.g. bedding),
• Changing bed sheets etc.
• Prepare and service drinks and simple meals with or for the service user customer
ensuring nutritional needs are met.
• Accompany service user outside the home e.g. hospital/GP appointments etc.
• Support customers with other tasks e.g. making telephone calls on their behalf,
reading and responding to correspondence, completing simple forms (training will be
provided) as directed by the customer etc.
• Ensure services provided by AUKEL in the community are safe and person centred.
• Report safeguarding concerns, in accordance with AUKEL safeguarding procedures.
• Work within AUKEL’s expectations of professional boundaries and confidentiality.
• Provide cover in the case of sickness and annual leave periods of colleagues.
• Support service user reviews, ensuring all visiting information is uploaded on to
AUKEL’s organisational case management system.
• Meet with volunteers to provide support and guidance.
• Work with a range of professionals including:
• Supporting health and social care professionals with patient discharge
• Liaising with the hospital health and social care professionals (e.g. Social Workers) to
facilitate smooth supported discharge.
• Handypeople & contractors

Administration

• Input all records, reviews, and visiting information to service user’s case notes in a
timely manner to maintain up-to-date and accurate records on AUKEL’s case
management system (currently Charity Log/Call-round App).
• Report all “no access” failed visits, or changes in service users’ condition or
circumstances in accordance with AUKEL’s policies and procedures.
• Ensure service user comment sheets are completed.
• Support the return of customer comment sheets and general feedback in respect of
your own service users.

Quality

• Ensure services provided in the community are delivered in line with the Care Quality
Commission (CQC) principles.
• Deliver all work in line with AUKEL quality mark standards.
• Commit to undertaking the Care Certificate, if not already held or in possession of NVQ
level 2.
• Complete essential training as required by AUKEL to provide safe services.

Liaison

• Work in collaboration with other agencies providing support within the customer's
home.
• Work under the direction of the service manager and project officer/s.
• Represent AUKEL and participate in appropriate external meetings and events to
remain aware of local, regional, and national issues affecting quality and compliance
issues affecting care and home support services.

General

• Meet regularly with your line manager for support, supervision, and appraisal.
• Attend team and staff meetings, (and other meetings) as required.
• Undertake any other duties within the competence of the post holder as may be required
from time to time for the continued smooth running of AUKEL.
• Complete any training which is required to fulfil the role.
• Carry out the duties of the post in accordance with AUKEL policies and procedures
including Equal Opportunities, Mental Capacity, Deprivation of Liberty, Food Hygiene,
Health & Safety, Confidentiality, Complaints, GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation),
Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults etc.
• Work within AUKEL’s expectations of professional boundaries and confidentiality

Functional Links

• The post holder reports to the manager.
• Close working with NHS health & social care professionals.
• Close working with external partner agencies e.g. Age UK Redbridge, Barking & Havering, and
Age UK Waltham Forest.
• Close working with AUKEL internal departments e.g. information and advice, advocacy, Take
Home & Settle services, and volunteering department etc.

Person Specification

Research shows that while middle class white men tend to apply for job when they meet around 60% of the
criteria, women, people from the global majority, and people from other marginalised groups that
encounter systematic discrimination tend to apply only when they meet all criteria. So, if you think you have
what it takes, but don’t meet every single aspect of the job description, please still apply!

Experience

Essential

• Experience of one-to-one work with vulnerable service users, including those with multiple issues and needs either through paid or unpaid position.

Desirable

• Care Certificate or CQF Diploma NVQ Level 2, or equivalent, in Health & Social Care.
• Experience of working collaboratively with external partners.
 

Knowledge & Understanding

Essential

• Understanding and commitment to empowering individuals to reach their full potential.
• Understanding the principles of confidentiality in practice. 
• Understanding of safeguarding and when to raise a concern.
• Understanding of stigma and discrimination, and the impact this has on people’s lives.

Desirable

• Knowledge of local services available to adults and their carers
• Understanding of hospital discharge procedures.
 

Skills/Attributes

Essential

• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Good English verbal and written communication skills
• Good planning and organisational skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Ability to prioritise and manage time and resources in a competent manner
• IT skills to the level of being able to use Word, email, internet, mobile phone apps and logging information on AUKEL’s CRM
• Can demonstrate AUKEL values (accountable, kind, flexible, inclusive, collaborative) in the way the service is delivered.
 

Desirable

• Ability to speak community languages e.g. Bengali, Urdu, Punjabi, Turkish etc. 
• Able to use Charity Log (CRM used by AUKEL). Training will be provided as
necessary.
• Ability to drive with use of own vehicle (mileage and essential car users will be paid).

Additional Requirements

• This post is subject to the relevant check through the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS)
• Flexibility in working hours to meet organisational needs.
• The role requires daily travel across East London