Dementia Support Worker

*ADSS is a triple Kent Charity award winning organisation for 2024*

*Kent Charity of the Year, Disability Charity of the Year and Trustee of the Year*

ADSS are a nonprofit charity with a big heart and have been providing exceptional care and support to people affected by dementia for over 30 years. We are commissioned by The NHS & KCC to provide specialist dementia support within the local communities. At ADSS, our goal is to enable people living with dementia to continue to be as independent as possible within their local community.

About the Role

We are seeking to grow our team of compassionate people within our Support at Home team, who see the opportunity to make a difference to someone's life as a privilege - not just a job; We are proud to be entrusted to improve people's wellbeing and reduce social isolation.

The role of a Dementia Support Worker involves embracing those we support for who they are and what makes them, 'them'.

Some people may wish for support with maintaining independence, such as being taken to their favourite supermarket once a week. Some people may wish for your support with accompanying them to an activity; others may need you to help them to manage their personal care needs and/or medication management.

In this role, you will provide essential support and companionship to those living with dementia, helping them maintain their dignity and quality of life.

For this role you are required to have your own vehicle and full UK Driving License, insurance for business use and an Enhanced DBS (the cost of which will be covered by us)

We cover the area of North Kent, including Dartford, Gravesend, Swanley & surrounding villages.

Schedule

We are looking to recruit 2 Dementia Support Workers who can cover 30 hours per week between the hours of during the week, and between every other weekend.

We are happy to provide contracted hours (30 hours per week - dependent on your availability) or a 0-hour contract, for those who would prefer to have flexibility around their working pattern.

You will be expected to provide us with your availability at the commencement of employment, which we will use to allocate permanent support visits to you; this ensures consistency for the people we support and for you.

Key Responsibilities

1. Provide support with aspects of daily living and maintaining independence, which may include personal care, medication administration or prompting, meal preparation, shopping, engaging with activities or hobbies, emotional well-being and domestic tasks.

2. Actively promote informed choices and decisions, inclusion and emotional well-being, enabling people to remain independent in their own home and their local community.

3. Ensure you achieve the highest level of care against agreed standards. Strive to achieve the highest possible levels of comfort & care for the people we support.

4. Ensure that all monitoring processes are followed and that accurate records are kept.

5. Work in a compassionate, empathetic and caring way; affording the people who use the service the highest levels of dignity.

6. Work with the Senior Support at Home Team to achieve objectives and outcomes within agreed parameters set.

7. Actively promote and protect confidentiality and dignity in all areas of the organisation.

8. Positively engage with training, supervisions, team meetings and appraisals and contribute to the development of the service.

9. Work in accordance with Alzheimer's & Dementia Support Services policies and procedures and act as an informed advocate for the Charity.

Benefits of being an ADSS employee

• Full paid induction and training provided
• 25 days holiday (pro rata plus bank holidays)
• Company sick pay
• Company Pension – 4 % employer contribution
• Group Life Insurance cover – 3 x your annual salary (after completion of probationary period)
• Medicash Healthcare Plan (after completion of probationary period)
• Flexible working
• Paid mileage – 45p per mile
• Career development opportunities
• Paid Travel Time

About You

We want to welcome compassionate and dedicated individuals to work in Kent. This is an amazing opportunity for someone who wants to truly make a difference to the lives of people affected by dementia. You may or may not have experience in this field, but you will have excellent communication skills, empathy, a positive approach to problem solving, good skills at managing your own workload and excellent teamwork. You will be as passionate as we are about getting to know the people we support as individuals and empowering them to live the life they want.

• Experience in a care-giving or companion role is preferred, but not required - we can teach you how to support people but we cannot teach kindness and compassion
• Strong communication skills with an enthusiastic approach to care.
• Patience and understanding towards the challenges faced by people affected by dementia.
• Willingness to 'go the extra mile' for those who need your help.

Our Values

Our values matter and we are looking for someone who believes:

• In being person centred and focused on people's abilities.
• In being caring and compassionate in all we do.
• In working together to deliver excellence in the information, support, and services we provide.
• In always acting with integrity and honesty.
• That everyone's rights and dignity should be promoted.
• In being inclusive and embracing everyone in our community

If this sounds like you, please don't hesitate to get in touch

Job Types: Part-time, Permanent

Pay: £12.51-£15.00 per hour

Expected hours: 30 per week

Benefits:

• Additional leave
• Health & wellbeing programme
• Life insurance
• Referral programme
• Sick pay

Application question(s):

• Do you have access to a vehicle for work?
• Do you live in North Kent?

Licence/Certification:

• Driving License (required)

Work Location: On the road