3 - 4 Month Contract With A Local Authority

Purpose of the Role

To provide an efficient, safe and comprehensive response and support service to all users of the Community Alarm (Carelink) service.

Key Responsibilities and Duties

Respond immediately—individually or in pairs—to emergency calls received via the Control Centre computer system.
Assess each situation and take appropriate, timely action, including contacting emergency services.
Provide or assist with personal care in emergencies where care services have failed to attend, using appropriate moving and handling equipment.
Ensure the customer’s home is secure when leaving and contact next of kin as required.
Respond to Emergency Duty Social Worker requests to visit customers and non-customers where other services are unavailable, including delivering personal care when appropriate and safe.

Visit prospective customers to complete a biography, assess their ability to use an alarm, check suitability of power and telephone sockets, and ensure safe access.
Undertake environmental risk assessments for all referred customers.
Demonstrate and install community alarm equipment in customers' homes, ensuring all documentation is completed and keys are securely stored.
Programme new alarm units, ensure accuracy of customer data, and test equipment with the Control Centre.
Remove alarm units when necessary and ensure safe return of keys to customers or next of kin.
Make routine visits to service users to check alarm equipment and update biographies.
Understand and troubleshoot alarm technology and support the ongoing development of the service as technology evolves.

Maintain confidentiality for all customer and care manager information, both on and off site.
Liaise with other services, including care agencies, GPs, district nurses and domiciliary services, ensuring customers receive correct and up-to-date support.
Alert Care Management, families/next of kin, or health professionals where there are concerns about a customer’s well-being.
Install/demonstrate alarms referred by the police for vulnerable individuals in the community.
Assist in promoting the Carelink service, including providing information or talks to groups and organisations.

Complete all relevant paperwork and notify the Control Centre immediately of any changes in customer details to ensure database accuracy.
Update and fax customer details to the Control Centre following programming of equipment.
Prepare work for incoming mobile officers, including booking customer visits.
Participate in the Council’s appraisal and development process, attend supervision and team meetings.
Use Council vehicles responsibly, ensuring they are roadworthy and that faults, repairs and expenditure are logged and reported.

Provide reasonable cover during colleagues’ absence.
Assist with induction and training of new mobile officers.
Undertake necessary training courses and maintain awareness of community services available to customers.
Contribute to the ongoing development of the Carelink Community Alarm service.

Ability to empathise with elderly customers, adults with physical disabilities and individuals in distress.
Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and as part of a team; adaptable and flexible.
Strong communication skills with professional and non-professional contacts.
Strong customer focus and ability to think clearly in emergencies.
Understanding and valuing diversity in service delivery.

Awareness of the demands of shift work, including unsocial hours, night call-outs and bank holidays.