Background

ALONE is a national organisation that supports and empowers older people to age happily and securely at home. We support individuals and their families, work with other organisations, and campaign nationwide to improve the lives of older people.

We work with all older people, including those who are lonely, isolated, homeless, living in poverty, or are facing other difficulties. We support them through these challenges to help them find long term solutions.

We are now recruiting for 1 position to cover the HSE Community Healthcare Organisation's area to of CH08 North Meath, Ardee (including Kingscourt), Central Meath and Southwest of Meath

Role Overview

The role of Community Connector is aligned to that of Social Prescribing link Worker. Social prescribing generally involves three key components: - (i) a referral from a healthcare professional,(ii) a consultation with a social prescribing link worker and (iii) an agreed referral to a local community activity or programme or service delivered by the Health Service or other organisation. A Social Prescribing service empowers individuals to take control of their health and wellbeing by referral to a social prescribing link worker who adopts a holistic approach to assessment of their needs. Social prescribing link workers work in true collaboration with individuals over a period of time, assessing their needs and concerns and developing a person- centred health plan based on these needs. The ultimate aim of the social prescribing link worker is to connect people to community groups, organisations and statutory services for practical and emotional support with the overall purpose of improving health and wellbeing and improving social support. Social prescribing link workers support existing groups to be accessible and sustainable and working collaboratively with all local partners identify gaps and needs regarding particular groups or interests.

Social prescribing can help to strengthen community resilience and personal resilience, and reduces health inequalities by addressing the wider determinants of health, such as debt, poor housing and physical inactivity, by increasing people's active involvement with their local communities. It particularly works for people with long-term conditions (including support for mental health), for people who are lonely or isolated, or have complex social needs which affect their wellbeing.

Description of the Post:

The Community Connector provides a specialist service to older people similar to the service provided by the Social Prescribing Link Worker. However, this is a specialist service for a specific cohort of older patients upon discharge from the Integrated Care Team for Older Persons. This is the only referral pathway for patients to be referred to the Community Connector.

The integrated care team for older persons is a specialist multidisciplinary service primarily targeting and managing the complex care needs of the older person with multiple co-morbidities across a continuum of care. The overall aims of the service are to:

· Provide a specialist geriatric opinion using a multidisciplinary approach to support older people with complex care needs.

· Develop a person-centred care planning approach that supports robust and timely communication across care settings.

· Support appropriate and timely reduction of Emergency Department (ED) attendance through the development of care pathways that support GPs and others in assessment of older people with escalating care needs.

· Provide support and education to the older person, carers and healthcare professionals.

Monitoring and evaluation:

· Work sensitively with clients to administer ICPOP agreed evaluation tools in order to capture key information, enabling tracking of the impact of social prescribing on participant health and wellbeing and other outcomes measures.

· Document and report progress on health and wellbeing plans

· Provide progress reports and presentations to oversight groups and funders detailing the progress of the service.

Reporting Relationship

You will report directly to the Service Manager in ALONE.

Responsibilities

· Build collaborative relationships with the ICPOP team and ensure they understand the purpose and function of the service.

· Work on a one-to-one basis with individuals to improve health and wellbeing in line with the Social Prescribing model Work with individuals on a one-to-one basis, complete needs assessment and co-produce a plan to improve health and wellbeing through social prescribing in partnership with the individual and the Integrated Care Team for Older Persons.

· Provide non-judgemental support, respecting diversity and lifestyle choices working from a strength-based approach.

· Book appointments with individuals, meet them personally, follow-up cases and manage case load remaining as a point of contact and support throughout the individual's social prescription.

· Support and encourage individuals to access appropriate services in their community. Where appropriate, physically introduce people to community groups, activities and statutory services, ensuring they are comfortable. Follow up to ensure they are happy, able to engage, feel included and receiving good support. Where appropriate, attend the activity with the older person to maximise the potential for enrolment and continued attendance.

· Work in partnership with health professionals and the Community and voluntary sector.

· Participate in relevant meetings and under the guidance of the ICPOP Team.

· Develop supportive relationships with local community organisations, community groups and statutory services, to make timely, appropriate and supported referrals for the person being introduced.

· Work closely with the local HSE health promotion and improvement team to support the ongoing development of the programme taking an active part in reviewing and developing the service and contribute to business planning.

· Contribute to the building and maintenance of a comprehensive database of local community groups, resources and services and ensure information on sources of voluntary and

community support is up to date at all times to enable effective and accurate supported access and linking of individuals with services.

· Work with local partners to identify unmet needs within the community and address gaps in community provision.

· Work in partnership with all local agencies to raise awareness of the community connection programme and how partnership working can reduce pressure on statutory services, improve health outcomes and enable a holistic approach to care.

· Any other duties within the general requirements of the above that may be assigned

Essential skills & experience

The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate:

A minimum of 3 years' experience in a community development OR healthcare OR related field.

3rd Level qualification in a Social, Community, Health or related field; Health A candidate for and any person holding the office must be fully competent and capable of undertaking the duties attached to the office and be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.

Further information

This role is 35 hours per week, 5 days over a 7-day working week.

This is a 1-year fixed term contract.

Core hours are generally Monday to Friday 09:00 – 17:00 but you may be required to work outside of those hours i.e., evenings or weekends on occasion to meet the needs of the service.

Regular travel is required with this role.

Remote Induction and training will be carried out on commencement in role.

The salary scale offered for this position is depending on experience.

Full clean drivers' license and use of a car is required.

Applicants that are successful to the interview stage but are not offered a position may be placed on a reserve panel and their CV's will be kept on file.

Benefits

· Full-time, 35-hour workweek

· Comprehensive Training & Development

· 24 Days annual leave, increase to 25 days after 2 years' service.

· Pension Scheme- after 12 months service

· Death in Service – after 6 months' probation successfully completed.

· Travel Saver Schemes

· Bike to work Scheme

· Employee Assistance Programme

· Paid maternity & Paternity leave – after 18 months service

· Comprehensive Training & Development

· Mileage Policy in place for applicable roles

· Progression Opportunities

· Sick Pay scheme – after 6 months' probation successfully completed.

· Horizontal transfer policy