Main Responsibilities:

To be a member of the ALONE Support Services Team that operates the following ALONE services: Support Coordination, Housing Support and Befriending. This will mainly focus on Support Coordination and Befriending in Dublin but will also encompass working on a national level also.

REQUIREMENTS SPECIFIC TO THIS POST:

To work to enable older people to remain at home with quality of life and independence.
To be a member of the ALONE Support Services Team that operates the following ALONE services:  Support Coordination, Befriending and Supportive Housing.
To work closely with the Services Manager, Staff, Interns & Volunteers on the Team.
To work to the Models of Support as outlined for these services.
To operate to ALONE’s Case Management System.
To support with ALONE Social Events for Older People as required
To provide good quality accurate, appropriate information, advice and advocacy to older people and volunteers/interns.
To respond to enquiries (incl. the provision of support and information on services outside Dublin).
Visiting older people in their homes, hospitals and nursing homes as required.
To input to HSE multi-disciplinary decisions in hospital/community settings as appropriate.
To link with Volunteer Mentors in their support of the wider volunteer body as required (this may include some Mentor Meetings).
To support with the management of the Befriending Visits Referrals List & ensure quick responses.
To support volunteers to work safely and with a sense of satisfaction with the older people who use ALONE services.
To coordinate matching volunteers on Befriending Visits & linking with Mentors on this as required.
To ensure that older people are contacted regularly as predefined.
To develop and clarify our relationships with new and existing befriending services.
To develop positive working relationships with relevant external agencies
To report on key findings and statistics arising from the role.

HOUSING / SUPPORT TO ALONE RESIDENTS:

To support the induction of new residents including, working with the Housing Officer around allocations and interviews as required.
To have an expectation that residents engage with us and are active in maintaining their own independence and wellbeing.
To work with the Property Team to ensure that the residents maintain their commitments to ALONE.
To liaise with Property Management and the Housing Officer role  to ensure a holistic response to resident needs.
To promote residents understanding of their  rights and compliance with their responsibilities.
To ensure that residents are contacted regularly as predefined.
To encourage a system in place with the residents or their volunteers /neighbours/ relatives/carers where ALONE will be notified of significant changes in circumstances.
To support with residents discharge from hospital as required.
To contact and work with the next-of-kin in relation to a resident’s death providing practical support and empathy.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS OF ALL ALONE STAFF:

To operate to the values and mission of ALONE.
To attend Team Meetings / Staff Meeting / Case Management Meetings / Training Days.
To work from a Rights and Evidence Based Approach.
Identify training needs with your line manager and participate in training opportunities appropriate to the role.
Create relationships with the older people built on trust & co-operation.
Thorough & up-to-date record keeping in the interest of safety, security & quality of service. Furnish written reports as and when required.
Ensure accurate data entry to ensure relevant statistics can be reported.
Involvement in the development of policies / procedures / Case Management practice.
To promote the older person’s understanding of their rights and compliance with their responsibilities.
To participate in the efficient flow of information within the organisation by sharing and seeking information as appropriate.
To support the older persons right to give feedback and be involved.
Participate in and engage with a performance management programme
To undertake any other duties which are commensurate with the role / Agreed with the Services Manager/CEO.

PERSON SPECIFICATION:

Educated to degree level with qualification in Social Care/ Social Work.
Self-motivated, flexible person who is passionate about the work.
Experience of Case Management Systems.
Experience of (a) the voluntary sector and or (b) working with older people.
Excellent inter-personal skills and experience of dealing with people.
Excellent Computer Literacy & ability to adapt to new systems.
An ability to maintain the highest standards of confidentiality and respect.
A full clean driving licence and access to own vehicle is required.

Contract: 1 year contract, full time (35 hours) Monday – Friday

Place of Work:  ALONE Offices, Pleasant St, Dublin 8.

Applications in writing by email to include CV and covering letter to Maoiliosa.k@alone.ie to reach us no later than 5pm on 15/01/2016.