Job Description

AGE UK WAKEFIELD DISTRICT

Job Title:

Community Energy Support Worker - Connecting Care

Salary: 24,262 per annum - 12.61 per hour pro rata

Hours: 28 to 37 hours per week (flexible)

Monday - Friday Between 8:30 to 5pm

Contract Term: Fixed Term 24 Months Contract

Holidays: 25 days plus bank holidays (pro rata)

Location: Based at either Bullenshaw House (Hemsworth) or Waterton House (Wakefield) with home working incorporated and travel throughout the Wakefield District

Responsible to: Integrated Services Manager

Job Purpose:

You will work as part of a Energy Specialist team, alongside our connecting care teams, providing specialist energy advice and practical support to older people across the Wakefield District. This involves working within a multi-disciplinary team of colleagues from health, social care and voluntary organisations within the Connecting Care Hubs.

The focus of Connecting Care is to provide early and preventative interventions to avoid unnecessary hospital or residential care admissions for older people. You will contribute to this by enabling people to remain at home and stay independent for as long as possible, through energy-related advice, guidance, and interventions that reduce household costs and improve home comfort.

As well as preventative interventions, you will support older people in crisis situations who require rapid response energy-related advice or support. You will be responsible for a caseload of clients and providing timely interventions following a Leaf-7 assessment to identify needs, with particular focus on energy use, fuel poverty, and home environment improvements.

We are looking for someone who has good IT skills in Outlook, Word and Excel and who has some experience of using data management systems.

Main Duties:

Attend home visits and complete an initial assessment as part of a rapid response, providing immediate energy-related support (e.g. fuel voucher advice, emergency heating, energy supplier issues) to help stabilise the client's situation.

Ensure all clients referred to the service are assessed using an assessment tool (LEAF-7) and that a personalised plan is developed, implemented and reviewed, with specific focus on energy needs and outcomes.

Provide tailored information, advice and advocacy on energy use, tariffs, grants, and home efficiency measures.

Signpost and connect clients to relevant schemes, services and community activities that can improve household energy efficiency and reduce costs.

Liaise with colleagues in the Connecting Care Team and other agencies (VCS & Statutory) to ensure a co-ordinated approach to meeting energy-related and wider needs.

Attend Multidisciplinary Team meetings where appropriate to represent energy support needs.

Collate quantitative and qualitative data, recording client outcomes, energy savings and follow-up information.

Maintain accurate case records by updating Age UK Wakefield District's electronic database daily.

Build strong relationships with GP practices, community organisations, and local agencies to identify and support vulnerable households at risk of fuel poverty.

Work flexibly as part of a team or independently in a range of community settings, demonstrating awareness of Health & Safety and personal safety issues.

Personal Duties:

At all times, work in a manner that promotes dignity, respect and independence for older people.

Recognise the value of volunteers within Age UK WD and support their involvement in energy-related activities.

Work within Age UK WD's Policies and Procedures including Health & Safety, Confidentiality and Equality & Diversity.

Identify and prioritise your personal development needs and agree with your Line Manager how these should be met to ensure project objectives are achieved.

Be an active and committed member of Age UK WD, taking part in staff meetings, training and organisational activities as deemed appropriate.

Take on other appropriate responsibilities when required.

You will be required to complete and pass the City and Guilds NEA Level Energy Awareness exam within 2 months of starting the role

Experience and Abilities:

We think you will need these when you join us, but some elements can be developed within the role:

A good understanding of the VCSE sector and statutory services.

Familiarity with using IT referral and case management systems.

Knowledge of domestic energy use, tariffs, and fuel poverty issues.

Experience of working with vulnerable older people.

Excellent computer skills, for research and administration.

Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to explain technical energy information in a simple way.

Ability to understand and apply policies and procedures.

A full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle.

Benefits we can offer:

In addition to working with a group of passionate, generous and talented people, the Charity can offer the following benefits:

Opportunities for career development within the Charity - over 60% of the Senior Management progressed through other roles.

Flexible working arrangements, around the role requirements and Charity policies.

Modern IT and mobile equipment supplied, with rapid tech support.

Training according to role but also access to areas of interest for the Charity.

25 days paid holiday allowance plus 8 bank holidays FTE pro rata.

Company Sick Pay from day one of absence.

A pension plan is available to all employees.

As a Mindful Employer we take the well-being of our team members seriously.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: 12.61 per hour

Work Location: In person