Community Engagement Officer

Background to the role

Age UK East London are recruiting a Community Engagement Officer to join our growing Community Outreach team. We support hundreds of people a year to maintain their health and wellbeing, combat social isolation and digital inclusion through the varied activities and by signposting to relative local support services.

We support some of the most deprived communities in the UK, tackling poverty and health inequality while promoting independence and well-being.

Working in well networked and integrated systems you will make a key contribution to improving the lives of adults, their carers and the wider community.

Job description

Job Purpose

·      To provide a high-quality outreach support service that enables older adults with low level support needs to live independently within the community.

·      To a promote network services across the Boroughs to maximise their take-up.

·      To work closely with statutory and voluntary sector agencies to ensure appropriate services are accessed.

·       To ensure that service users have maximum choice and control over the planning and management of the service they receive, including initiating individual support plans and connecting them with culturally appropriate services.

Key Tasks

·       To signpost people to appropriate services as required through outreach sessions in the Hub, Satellite centres, GP practices and pharmacies.

·       To develop shared working practices across the service network.

·       To work closely with providers of similar services

·       To work to agreed individual, team, and organisational objectives.

·       To work with existing activity groups at the hub and satellite centres and support the setting up of activities where appropriate.

·       To ensure all contacts with service users are recorded appropriately and to maintain an adequate filing system.

·       To use word-processing software to produce own correspondence and reports in accordance with relevant policy on confidentiality and data protection.

·       To collect monitoring information to enable the service to be evaluated.

·       To provide support to services outside of normal working hours and occasionally attend sessions when required.

·       To complete assessments

Quality

·       To be familiar with and to implement Age UK East London’s policies and procedures.

·       Ensure that confidential data is managed within AGE UK’s policies and procedures.

 General

·       To meet regularly with line manager for support, supervision, and appraisal.

·       To attend team and staff meetings, (and other meetings) as required.

·       To 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 Age UK East London.

·       To undertake all training required to fulfil the role.

·       To carry out the duties of the post in accordance with Age UK’s East London’s policies and procedures including EDI, Health & Safety, Confidentiality, Complaints, GDPR, Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults.

 Functional Links

·         The role reports to Caxton Hall Centre Manager

·         Close working relationship is required with the Community Outreach team, OPRG Project Officer and other relevant colleagues.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

·       Experience of working on a one-to-one basis with marginalised groups

·       Experience of running group activities

·       Experience of keeping paper and electronic records and statistical data for monitoring purposes.

·       Experience of providing kind, inclusive and high quality customer service

Desirable

·       Qualified in Chair Based Exercises

Knowledge & Understanding

Essential

·       Understanding of the impact of discrimination and disadvantage on the lives of people and ability to work in a trauma-informed manner.

·       Understanding and commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable adults and their Carers.

Desirable

·       Working knowledge of other Community Languages

Skills/Attributes

Essential

·       Intermediate IT skills

·       Can demonstrate AUKEL values (accountable, kind, flexible, inclusive, collaborative) in the way the service is delivered.

·       Commitment to learning and development and reflective practise.

People skills.

Additional Requirements

·       This post is subject to the relevant check through the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS)

·       Flexibility in working hours to meet organisational needs.

Employment Details

 

Contract type

This contracted post is fixed term until March 2025 with the possibility of extension and is 35 hours per week.  We welcome application for flexible working including reduced hours and other flexible working arrangements.

 

Location

The post holder will be mostly based across East London.

 

Salary 

Between £28,840 and £31,930 Plus 5% employer pension contribution.

We have recently introduced a salary bands system. This salary range refers to the lowest and top steps of the grade. Salary will progress every year until the top salary is reached.

 

Holiday entitlement

25 days (pro-rata for contracted hours) of paid holiday per year plus bank holidays. This increases after two years of service to 27 days, and then a further one day per every year of service up to a maximum of 30 days after five years of service. In addition, all employees are entitled to one day off on (or around) their Birthday.

 

Conditions of employment

The job offer is subject to the receipt of two satisfactory Employment References, an enhanced  DBS Check and evidence of relevant Qualification.

 

How We Value Our People

 

Learning and development

We are committed to supporting our staff through a variety of training, e-learning, workshop and shadowing. A training needs assessment is carried out annually. During the appraisal and reviewed during supervision. The majority of vacancies are advertised internally to encourage staff to progress their careers within the charity.

Flexible working policy

We welcome flexible working requests from day one and anyone can make as many requests as they wish to.

Family Friendly Policy

We have a competitive Family Friendly Policy which includes maternity, paternity adoption and shared parental leave. We have an enhanced maternity and paternity pay policy based on the length of service.

Sick leave policy

We also have a competitive sick pay policy which will give you up to 4 months full pay and 4 months half pay after 4 years of service.

Death in service insurance

We have a Death in service insurance which will help your family to cope financially should something happen to you while employed with us.

Employee assistance programme

We offer an Employee Assistance programme called WeCare which includes 24/7 online GP, Get fit programme, Mental health support, Financial and legal guidance.

Menopause and menstrual policy

The policy supports employees in their ability to adequately self-care during their period and menopause, while not being penalised by having to deplete their sick leave.

Open Door policy

The purpose of policy is to encourage open communication, feedback, and discussion about any matter of importance to an employee.

Wellbeing policy

The policy is aimed to promote mental wellbeing among staff and volunteers and tackle the causes of work-related mental health problems.

Duncan Robertson Award

For the outstanding contribution to the wellbeing of older people.

Cycle to work scheme

The scheme allows employees to obtain commuter bikes and cycling accessories through their employer, whilst spreading the cost over 12 months and making unbeatable savings through a tax break

Other benefits

Through Age UK National we provide the BUPA Employee Assistance Programme, the Blue Light Discount Card, access to a discount portal provided by AON and Ticket for Good.

Next Steps

 

How to apply

To apply, please complete the application form on our website.

Recruitment Timetable

Deadline to receive applications: 27th September 2024 at 5.00pm

1st stage interviews: Week commencing 7th October 2024

Have any questions? If you want to find out more about the recruitment process or the role, please contact our HR department.