Dementia Support WorkerNHS

Job summary

Working as part of the Hospice Dementia Service, the Dementia Support Worker will provide practical, emotional and educational support to people living with dementia and their family carers.

The post holder will manage an allocated caseload, undertaking reviews, identifying changing needs, coordinating support and helping individuals access appropriate health, social care, hospice and community services. They will work closely with the Dementia Care Lead and wider multidisciplinary teams to promote wellbeing, maintain independence and support future care planning.

The role will also contribute to dementia education, carer support programmes and service development, acting as a resource for staff, volunteers and carers.

Main duties of the job

• Manage an allocated caseload of people living with dementia and their carers, providing person-centred support, regular review and ongoing coordination of care.
• Undertake holistic assessments, identifying needs, risks and factors affecting wellbeing, independence and quality of life.
• Recognise deterioration, emerging risks or changes in need, taking appropriate action and escalating concerns when required.
• Contribute to decisions regarding escalation of support, transfer to the moderate-severe caseload, referral to specialist services or planned discharge from the service.
• Provide emotional support, practical guidance and information to people living with dementia and those important to them.
• Support individuals and families to navigate and access appropriate health, social care, hospice and community resources.
• Encourage future care planning and ensure individuals are connected to the most appropriate support as their needs change.
• Identify and respond appropriately to safeguarding concerns in accordance with organisational policies and procedures.

Job description

• Clinical Support and Care Coordination
• Manage an allocated caseload of people living with dementia and their carers, providing person-centred support, regular review and ongoing coordination of care.
• Undertake holistic assessments, identifying needs, risks and factors affecting wellbeing, independence and quality of life.
• Recognise deterioration, emerging risks or changes in need, taking appropriate action and escalating concerns when required.
• Contribute to decisions regarding escalation of support, transfer to the moderate-severe caseload, referral to specialist services or planned discharge from the service.
• Provide emotional support, practical guidance and information to people living with dementia and those important to them.
• Support individuals and families to navigate and access appropriate health, social care, hospice and community resources.
• Encourage future care planning and ensure individuals are connected to the most appropriate support as their needs change.
• Identify and respond appropriately to safeguarding concerns in accordance with organisational policies and procedures

Education and Service Development

• Support the delivery of dementia education, awareness sessions and support programmes for carers, staff and volunteers.
• Act as a dementia resource within the Hospice, promoting good practice and evidence-based approaches to care.
• Participate in supervision, training and continuing professional development to maintain and enhance knowledge and skills.
• Contribute to service evaluation, audit, quality improvement initiatives and the collection of outcome data.

Communication and Partnership Working

• Work collaboratively with colleagues and partner organisations to promote coordinated, person-centred care.
• Develop effective working relationships with health, social care, hospice and voluntary sector services to support positive outcomes for individuals and carers.
• Maintain accurate, timely and confidential records in accordance with organisational policies and professional standards.
• Promote equality, diversity and inclusion, ensuring services are accessible, responsive and respectful of individual needs.
• Undertake any other reasonable duties.

About us

Wakefield Hospice is a charity providing specialist palliative and end-of-life care for people across the Wakefield district living with life-limiting illnesses. For over 35 years, the Hospice has delivered expert clinical care, emotional support, and bereavement services to patients and their families, helping people achieve the best possible quality of life when they need it most.

It is purpose-built specialist palliative care unit, registered for 16 beds we have a dementia day service, wellbeing, bereavement support and education.