Summary

The post holder will be responsible for making contact with, supporting and signposting services for vulnerable individuals, particularly older people, within identified parts of Bath & North East Somerset (B&NES).

The main duties will include working as part of a small team to make contact with local people; to identify vulnerable individuals; respond holistically and appropriately to the issues and needs identified; provide accurate, high quality information; create referrals of appropriate urgency to relevant agencies and service providers and to engage with customers in a friendly, courteous, prompt and appropriate manner.

Main Duties

1. Identify and engage vulnerable people in the most appropriate way keeping them at the centre of a support plan that you will help them design.

2. Respond holistically and appropriately to the issues and needs identified and provide accurate, high quality information.

3. Create referrals of appropriate urgency to relevant agencies and service providers.

4. Engage with customers in a friendly, courteous, prompt and appropriate manner, using excellent communication skills and ensuring delivery of high quality customer service at all times.

5. To be aware of the particular needs of the whole range of client groups including those unable to access services directly and to refer these clients onto other services effectively.

6. Work within the designated parishes in both a reactive and proactive way.

7. Undertake research within the identified parishes to identify, for example, members of the parish council, key contacts within the parish, local groups and regular events, newsletters, church groups, health services, transport provision and needs, and schools.

8. Actively engage with the local community, including developing the community where needed.

9. Work alongside the WERN project manager to develop relationships with service providers within the Bath & North East Somerset local authority.

10. Work with Virgin Care Wellness Service and the Community Wellbeing Hub to make and receive referrals.

11. Work alongside and build relationships with the Primary Care Networks Social Prescribing Link Worker and Care Coordinators where appropriate.

12. Develop effective working relationships with all partners and stakeholders including parish councils, relevant WERN staff, village agent project manager, and other village agents.

13. Work as part of a team, contributing to meetings, attending relevant training, cascading information and providing ongoing support and information to managers to enable the smooth running of the project.

14. Access and accurately maintain electronic client records, calls and referrals ensuring compliance with GDPR, maintaining management information to assist in workload/demand profiling and to inform continuous improvements to the services provided through a system called Charity Log.

15. Use the IT equipment provided, appropriately and effectively.

16. Adhere to all health and safety requirements both in the home and in the communities taking reasonable care not to do anything that may endanger yourself or others.

General Duties

1. To take responsibility for your own time management and administration.

2. Report regularly to the Village Agent project manager.

3. Attend relevant village agent progress meetings and training.

About the West of England Rural Network

The West of England Rural Network (WERN) is a charity established to provide an expert resource for rural communities in South Gloucestershire, Bath & North East Somerset, North Somerset & Bristol.

We support and work with communities, businesses, social enterprises, organisations and individuals on a wide range of topics that impact on rural areas. We work with local authorities, other statutory services, the West of England Combined Authority (WECA), local healthcare providers and central government departments to influence policy and to ensure that the impact on rural communities are always considered.