Service Support Worker

Service Support Worker
Location: Royal Berkshire Hospital, Reading
Contract type: Permanent
Hours per week: 19.5 (Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 13:30-20:30)
Salary: GBP 16,364 FTE

Do you love helping people in need? Are you looking for a rewarding role that could kick start your career in the health and social sector?

The British Red Cross are looking for motivated, committed and enthusiastic individuals to join our successful and expanding team. The Prevention of Admission to Hospital (PAtH) service provides vulnerable people with a home from hospital transport, settlement & support service.

The scheme is service user focused, helping to build confidence and to rebuild and sustain levels of independence. Typical activities may include supporting with shopping and light domestic duties, as well as providing companionship, advice, guidance and advocacy. As a light-touch service we do not provide personal care or support with medication. Typically, you may spend around up to two hours with each service user, including transportation home.

The successful post holder will be required to work closely with the Service Coordinator to transport and resettle service users; be the first responder to referrals; provide daily administrative assistance and assist in promoting the service within the hospital base.

You will have excellent communication skills and an ability to deal with people in a sensitive yet professional manner. You will have experience of working with vulnerable people and a passion for making a difference. You will be able to use your initiative to work independently and as part of a small team.

The work requires travel across West Berkshire (Reading, Wokingham & Newbury) using the Red Cross vehicle.  A full manual driving licence is essential for the role. The service operates from Monday-Friday 13:30-20:30 (excluding Bank Holidays).

Say hello to the team...
Our services help to prevent people from reaching crisis point; reducing admissions to hospitals and the need for residential and nursing care.

We are committed to delivering a person-centred service and enabling service users to achieve their personal outcomes. These may include enhanced quality of life, increased confidence and independence, and an improved sense of choice and control.

We also focus on improving personal dignity, feelings of safety and improved recovery after trauma or illness through services such as Support at Home and Transport Support.

This role could be for you if...
You can make things great. You know how to improve service quality for the benefit of users.
You're professional. You can to deal with queries in a diplomatic and confidential manner
You love being flexible. Working hours out with the norm suits you.

Also, you should be the following:
Educated to GCSE level (or equivalent by experience)
IT literate
Full manual driving licence holder 
Have a good knowledge of services provided by the NHS and Social Care

Due to ongoing service requirements this requisition might close early or be extended indefinitely. If for any reasons you are unable to submit your application or require any reasonable adjustments with submitting your application, please contact recruitment team on 0300 004 0554 or recruitment@redcross.org.uk.

Please click here to view the full job description and person specification for this position.

Should you have any questions on this role please email us at recruitment@redcross.org.uk or call us on 0300 004 0554 quoting reference REQ0000023MP.

We offer a wide range of staff benefits, these include:
*36 days holiday (including Bank Holidays)
*Option to buy an extra 5 days annual leave
*Up to 6% contributory pension
*Flexible working policy

Click here for further details on our staff benefits

A little bit more about us...
The British Red Cross help anyone, anywhere in the UK; get the support they need if crisis strikes. From hiring a wheelchair or dealing with loneliness, to adjusting to life in a new country - we're there when you need us.

Our organisation was born out of a desire to bring help without discrimination. 
Impartiality and neutrality have been central values for the Red Cross since we started.

At the British Red Cross, we are looking for the best people to help us provide support to millions of people affected by crisis in the UK. We want our team to reflect the diversity of the communities we serve, offering equal opportunities to everyone, regardless of; age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.

Diversity is something we celebrate and we want you to be able to bring your authentic-self to the Red Cross. We want you to feel that you are in an inclusive environment, and a great position to help us spread the power of kindness.

In the British Red Cross we will not tolerate any form of misconduct, including sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse. We have a code of conduct in place, and are committed to creating a culture of integrity in the organisation where misconduct is not tolerated, situations of abuse are quickly investigated and perpetrators are dealt with effectively.

If you are appointed to a role within BRC you will be subject to the organisation's Code of Conduct, a copy of which you can find on our website.

As part of its recruitment and selection process the British Red Cross undertakes DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checking of all individuals who regularly work with or have access to children and vulnerable adults.

If driving is an essential requirement of the role, appropriate driver checks will be completed in line with current policy.

The British Red Cross, incorporated by Royal Charter 1908, is a charity registered in England and Wales (220949) and Scotland (SC037738).

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Connecting human kindness with human crisis