Mental health support worker volunteer jobs in Pudsey, west yorkshire

Job description 

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 local community services 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 user’s 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 such as checking fridge for in-date food 

• Checking heating, electric and gas is functional prior to discharge 

• Allowing access to the property for cleaning/repairs and receiving equipment

• Provide and/or arrange the practical and emotional support needed to enable service users to return 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, caring and professional 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 ensuring nutritional needs are met. 

• Accompany service user outside the home e.g. hospital/GP appointments etc. 

• Support service users 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 service user’s etc. 

• Ensure services provided by AUKEL in the community are safe and person centred. 

• Report safeguarding concerns, in accordance with AUKEL safeguarding procedures. 

• 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 Salesforce. 

• Support volunteers in the team and provide support and guidance to their development. 

• 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 Salesforce.

• Report all “no access” failed visits, or changes in service user’s condition or circumstances in accordance with AUKEL’s policies and procedures. 

• Ensure service user comment sheets are completed.

• Ensure service user’s feedback questionnaires are sent at the end of each intervention and record returns. 

• Submit travel expenses regularly for sign off by manager. 

Quality  

• Be familiar with and to implement AUKEL policies and procedures in line with our Values. 

• Ensure the service is delivered in accordance line with Care Quality Commission principals. 

• Ensure integration with other AUKEL projects, and service users are referred and/or sign-posted to appropriate support services available to them.

• Respond to safeguarding or other concerns and make appropriate reports and management action.

Liaison  

• Work in collaboration with other agencies providing support within the service user’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 /or Project Officer. 

• Close working with NHS health & social care professionals. 

• Close working with AUKEL internal departments e.g. Finance Team, Information and Advice, Befriending services, Community services, and our Handyperson services.

• Close working with external partner agencies e.g. Food Banks, Age UK Redbridge, Barking & Havering, and Age UK Waltham Forest.