Information and Advice (I&A) worker

Carers Count is a not-for-profit organisation that supports unpaid carers within Kirklees.
Our aim is to promote, support and improve the mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing of adult
carers in Kirklees, so they can continue in their caring role, look after their own health and wellbeing
and have a life of their own.

The Information and Advice (I&A) worker will support carers with a range of issues, including carers
rights, welfare benefits, debt, housing, employment, and education. The service will signpost to
specialist legal advice, representation, or support services as appropriate. You will work alongside a
team of Information and Advice workers and will contribute to the continued development of the
service. The information and Advice element of the service (known as I&A) supports carers with a
range of issues, including carers rights, accessing grants, access to support, welfare benefits,
emergency care, planning & signposting to local community groups. If we cannot help directly with a
carer query, we will signpost to a local service who can help.

KEY TASKS
1. To provide a response to enquiries and requests for I&A by phone, in person and in
writing/email in a timely manner (as per contract spec)
2. Provide drop-in sessions on an outreach basis across the Kirklees area.
3. Provide home visits to carers as necessary.
4. To signpost to appropriate specific advice and support services locally where
necessary.
5. To gain an understanding from the carer as to what help is needed to better support
them continue in their caring role and assist or signpost where needed.




6. To provide one-to-one advice and accessible information to carers on a wide range
of topics, rights, entitlements, and appropriate services etc.
7. To liaise with other services, including housing, welfare benefits, employment and
health and social care providers.
8. To and support with completion of application forms for welfare benefits, housing
etc.
9. To manage and prioritise own caseload.
10. To keep accurate, detailed, and up to date case records using the databases
Cloverleaf use for case recording.
11. To record carer outcomes in accordance with Carers Count procedures.
12. To ensure that carers using the service can make informed choices.
13. To ensure that carers using the service can assert their rights.
14. Encourage carers to explore their potential to the fullest, push boundaries and
maintain or regain increased control over their daily lives.
15. To identify issues of importance raised by individuals using the service from their
views and experiences and promote these through relevant means e.g. carer groups,
Carers Network, Partnership Boards, planning meetings etc.
16. To assist in the training of volunteers and support volunteers.
17. To publicise and promote the work of the organisation.
18. To take part in and contribute to training and development.
19. To attend team meetings & good practice sessions with colleagues.
20. To implement and comply with all policies and procedures of the agency.
21. To attend supervision sessions and staff appraisals as required.

You must have:

1. Experience of working with vulnerable adult client groups (e.g. people with
mental health needs, people with learning disabilities, physical/sensory
impairment or long-term health condition, older people) or carers.
2. A good working knowledge of the welfare benefits system specifically disability &
means-tested benefits.
3. A good knowledge of local services and issues relating to carers.
4. Experience of delivering quality advice and information
5. Excellent communication, negotiation & interpersonal skills
6. ICT skills, including word processing, e-mail, & use of the internet
7. Able to work in a flexible manner, to meet the needs of the service.
8. Self-motivated, and able to work under own initiative.
9. Ability to manage a complex workload and prioritise effectively.
10. Ability to keep up to date, accurate and accessible case records.
11. Access to a car for home visits, 1. Experience of working with volunteers
2. Qualification in advice work or related work.
3. Experience of delivering outreach/community-based sessions.
4. Experience of working in different venues, including client's homes.,

• Preferably live within or near the Kirklees area. Travel expenses will only be paid

within the contract working area.

• Have experience of working in the voluntary sector, health or social care, or lived

experience of receiving support.

• Demonstrate excellent communication skills -verbally and in writing.


• Have good IT skills, and be proficient using Microsoft Office 365, Teams and online

recording databases.

• Be able to keep up to date, accurate and accessible records.


• Be able to reflect on and learn from experience.


• Be able to use supervision and peer support effectively.


• Be able to manage and prioritise a varied workload.


• Be able to identify and report on safeguarding issues.


• To be self-motivated and be able to work under own initiative.


• Have a flexible and positive approach.


• Work ethically and honestly.


• Be able to take personal responsibility for your own performance and decisions.
  
  OTHER: Permanent Contract subject to funding, a six-month

probationary period and an annual performance review.
Appointment subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring
Service (DBS) enhanced check, two satisfactory references, and
evidence of a right to work in the United Kingdom.,
• Our Information and Advice workers need to travel independently of public transport.

You will need to have a full driving licence and access to a vehicle that you can use for
work purposes during your hours of work.


• Due to the independent nature of the organisation, you must not be employed by

any other health or social care organisation at the time of appointment.


All staff have a collective responsibility towards the effective running of Cloverleaf
Advocacy. As such, new tasks and duties may develop in the light of experience, which
may be allocated where reasonable, after discussion with post holder.