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Various Sheltered Housing complexes, Perth

Based within the Older Persons Housing Team, an exciting opportunity has arisen for a Support Officer to help with the ongoing work for Perth and Kinross Council tenants aged 50 and over within Perth and Kinross. This work will be mainly within in the four main Sheltered Housing complexes within Perth City Centre, but has the potential to be rolled out in other areas.

As a Support Officer, you will report to the Older Persons Housing Co-ordinator and work as part of the wider Older Persons’ Housing Team to provide housing support to Perth and Kinross Council tenants within these communities. You will have a lead role in the delivery and the promotion of the project and the services on offer. One of the aims will be to encourage older people in the local communities to make use of the services as and when they feel the need, but the ultimate aim is to ensure that they are safe, well and living as independently as possible within their own homes.

You will generally be required to work Monday to Friday from 8.45 to 5pm but due to the nature of the project and to ensure the needs of tenants are met, there will be an expectation that you will work flexibly and this could include evenings and weekends.

To support the tenants as part of this project, the key areas of focus will be:

Encouraging and supporting tenants living in the wider community to participate in activities, events and surgeries that may be happening within sheltered housing complexes with the aim of promoting wellbeing and reducing isolation
Providing advice and assistance – housing advice, budgeting, aids and adaptations
Providing digital support and assistance- including helping tenants to use digital technology and the use of Smart Technology
Referrals to other services such as - Community Alarm, Occupational Therapist, Welfare Rights
Management of the home – hoarding, safe guarding
Vulnerability concerns – adult protection, health issues, fire risk, debt
Building key links with multiple internal and external agencies and services

Requirements

To help in the delivery and promotion of this relatively new project, we are looking for a people-person who is enthusiastic, innovative and creative.

You will be able to communicate effectively with tenants to build relationships and with other internal and external agencies to provide a person-centred approach and the best possible outcomes for individuals.

You will have experience in supporting older people in their own homes and delivering on the aims and objectives of the project.

As this is a relatively new project, there could be some challenges along the way, but you will be instrumental in how the project is delivered, developed and the outcomes which it achieves. It is crucial, therefore, that you will be resilient to deal with the challenges and hurdles you may encounter and you will have strength of character and be solution-focused to keep the project on track and achieve the intended outcomes.

One of the main drivers of this project is to ensure that older people have the skills and knowledge to access the internet and to use a range of assistive technology, you will require a good understanding and wealth of experience of working with digital technology.

You will have a non-judgemental attitude, be empathetic and sensitive to tenants’ needs. You will understand and have an awareness of the wellbeing and individual needs of older people.

To ensure the smooth running of this project, you will be a highly organised individual and have the ability to prioritise your own workload.

You are required to register with the Scottish Social Services Council within 6 months of commencing employment and are responsible for maintaining annual membership.

You should have SVQ3 in Health and Social Care (or equivalent in a relevant discipline) or a willingness to work towards it.

Because the project will be rolled out across different areas of Perthshire, it is essential that you are able to drive and hold a clean, current driving licence.

The Individual

If you would like any more information regarding this vacancy, please contact Andrea McCallum, Team Leader by emailing [email protected]

When completing your application for this post, please ensure that you provide contact details (including e-mail addresses) for two referees. One should be your current or most recent employer.

At PKC our values and behaviours influence our work and support us in the delivery of the Perth and Kinross Offer. In your application, and should you be invited to interview, you will be asked to describe situations that support the criteria required in the role and which also demonstrate our values and behaviours. Find out more about PKC and you could soon be joining our team!

Please APPLY ONLINE. Facilities are available at all public libraries in Perth and Kinross. If you have a disability and require reasonable adjustments, please call 01738 475555 to discuss.

As part of our safer recruitment measures, Perth & Kinross Council carries out rigorous checks on the right to work in the UK, qualifications, employment history, including references, and fitness to undertake the post.

Some jobs may have been traditionally carried out predominately by one gender, but we would encourage you to apply if you meet the requirements, irrespective of your gender.

A healthy work life balance is important to Perth & Kinross Council and we provide supportive management and flexible working arrangements to help you achieve a healthy work life balance. You will have access to training and support for continued professional development.

Perth & Kinross Council welcomes applications from former armed forces personnel/reservists. Many of the skills picked up during your military career could be transferred directly into a role with local government.