Carers Manchester Contact Point Helpline Worker

Job Purpose

Carers Manchester Contact Point (CMCP) is the first point of contact for unpaid carers seeking information, advice and support to help them with their caring role.

The service delivers a free confidential helpline for carers weekdays (Monday – Friday, 10am – 4pm). These times are subject to change, based on the needs and requirements of carers using the service.

The aim of this role is to be part of a team providing a comprehensive information, advice and support to carers in Manchester. The post holder will work alongside colleagues from Gaddum and potentially other organisations to be the first contact in a busy service providing advice via a telephone advice line and managing referrals made through digital sources. They will provide information and advice and refer more complex issues to the appropriate agencies delivering the Manchester Carers Pathway.

Key responsibilities 

Advice giving

• Answering telephone calls into a central helpline offering support and guidance to unpaid carers in Manchester.
• Provide relevant and meaningful support and information to unpaid carers utilising internal and external resources.
• Inform carers about carers assessments and refer where necessary.
• Inform carers about emergency grants available and refer where necessary.
• Ensure all advice and support given is delivered in a timely manner to suit the needs of carers calling the helpline whilst balancing waiting callers.

Follow-up support

• Refer unpaid carers to local services to access local and culturally appropriate support in their area.
• Refer carers to Adult Social Care for Carers Assessments to discuss and improve their caring situation.
• Signpost carers to relevant services in Manchester suited to their individual need.
• Complete relevant grant applications for carers using the service where needed.
• Use Carers Manchester Contact Point and other reliable and accurate resources to find, interpret and communicate relevant information to carers
• Research and explore options and implications so that carers can make informed decisions.
• Write and maintain detailed case records for all casework completed.
• Collect required data for statistical monitoring and report preparation.
• Complete the required training to comply with quality assurance processes.

The post-holder will be required to undertake other tasks as reasonably directed by the CMCP Coordinator, which will usually be commensurate with the skills and experience of the post-holder.

The details contained in this job description, particularly the principal accountabilities, reflect the content of the job at the date the job description was prepared.  It should be remembered, however, that it is inevitable that over time, the nature of individual jobs will change; existing duties may be lost, and other duties may be gained without changing the general character of the duties or the level of responsibility entailed.  Consequently, this job description may be revised from time to time.

All staff are expected to work within all of Gaddum’s policies and procedures as they relate to delivery of the CMCP.