Support Worker

Support Worker | London

£15.45 per hour

28 Days plus Bank Holidays (Prorated)
Based from home with travel throughout London and the South East of England (preferably based in South East London Boroughs or East Kent)

Introduction

The London Asbestos Support aims to provide help and guidance to people suffering from mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases and their families and carers in London and the South East by offering and delivering personal tailored practical support and information and by setting up local support groups including working collaboratively with other providers as well as to advance knowledge of the dangers of asbestos.

The group was set up by The London Hazards Centre Trust Limited, a registered charity, established in 1984. We obtained independent charity status in 2017.

Our Support Workers are very experienced in supporting sufferers of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related conditions and understand the impact such diseases have on individuals and their families, both physically and psychologically. They are also knowledgeable about state benefits and compensation schemes and maintain close liaison with other key professionals in the care and management of the sufferer.

Our team is available to visit individual sufferers in the comfort of their own home or can be contacted by telephone, to assist with paperwork and provide ongoing support and guidance for free.

We hold monthly support group meetings for sufferers and their carers to meet others undergoing the same experience. Our experienced staff, together with special guest speakers and other professionals will be available to provide information, advice, or a listening ear in a safe and private environment.

We also assist with obtaining legal advice and help from lawyers who are experts in dealing with asbestos disease claims.

Background to the role

Due to increased demand for our services, we want to employ a fourth Support Worker to accommodate new referrals and continue providing a high standard of support for our clients.

The current program has been operating for two years and has helped hundreds of individuals and families affected by mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases gain the benefits, support, and information to help manage their quality of life after diagnosis.

Knowledge of the issues which affect people suffering from mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases would be useful but is not essential as full training will be provided to the successful candidate. The essential skills for this role are general knowledge of the current benefits system and an ability to deal sensitively with people experiencing various problems arising from their diagnosis.

Your specific role will be to advise those suffering from mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases of their rights and entitlements through home visits and telephone appointments.

Asbestos remains the biggest single cause of work-related deaths in the UK. More people die each year of asbestos-related diseases than die on the roads. London Asbestos Support exists to support anyone affected by mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases in London and The South East. If you can help us make a difference this job is for you.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title
Support Worker
Accountability
The post will be line managed by the Operations Director
Location
Based from home with travel throughout London and the South East of England (preferably based in South East London Boroughs or East Kent)
Rate of Pay
£15.45 per hour
Holidays
28 Days plus Bank Holidays (Prorated)
Hours
16 hours per week (actual days and times can be negotiated to suit, and any changes agreed within the team, within the aim of providing a consistent service)
Purpose of Job
To contact relevant nurse specialists at hospitals in London and The South East areas to explain the purpose of the charity and invite them to provide their patients with the charity services guide brochure and to contact the charity to provide benefits advice and to signpost for legal advice.

To advise those suffering from asbestos-related diseases and the families of their rights and entitlements through home visits and telephone appointments.

To assist with the set-up and running of monthly support groups and to provide details of local support services such as therapists, counselors etc. It is important that the support groups are established in a format that meets the wishes and needs of the clients.
Duties and Responsibilities
To contact and visit nurse specialists in hospitals in the areas concerned to advise of identity and purpose of the charity.
To conduct home visits and appointments with sufferers and their families in order to provide information & assistance on benefits and access to civil compensation.
To provide practical and emotional support and assistance for sufferers and their families.
To develop and maintain sufficient knowledge of the issues faced by users of the service.
To keep and maintain case files and update the database.
To attend appropriate meetings and functions.
To assist with funding applications.
Operate in compliance with the charity's policies and procedures, helping where necessary to develop these.
Undertake any other duties & responsibilities commensurate with the post.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Candidates are expected to be able to demonstrate the following experience, skills, knowledge & commitment, on the application form and some of the below at an interview. Experience can include voluntary as well as paid work.

Essential
Desirable
Experience

Experience in a relevant working environment eg nursing / welfare rights / asbestos support group
✓

Work in voluntary sector or with volunteers

✓
Skills

Excellent communication skills — written & verbal
✓

Office, IT & administrative skills
✓

Adaptability/Flexibility
✓

Ability to drive and possession of a valid driving licence and access to a car
✓

People skills eg. relational / approachable
✓

Ability to speak sensitively to people
✓

Knowledge

Issues affecting those with asbestos-related diseases,
including those with terminal conditions

✓
Welfare Rights & Benefits

✓
Personal Injury Compensation System

✓
Health service

✓
Knowledge of local communities

✓
Commitment

Equality & equal opportunities
✓

Responsibilities

Duties and Responsibilities

To contact and visit nurse specialists in hospitals in the areas concerned to advise of identity and purpose of LASAG.
To conduct home visits and appointments with sufferers and their families in order to provide information & assistance on benefits and access to civil compensation.
To provide practical and emotional support and assistance for sufferers and their families.
To develop and maintain sufficient knowledge of the issues faced by users of the service.
To keep and maintain case files and update the cases databases.
To attend appropriate meetings and functions.
To assist with funding applications.
Operate in compliance with LASAG policies and procedures, helping where necessary to develop these.
Undertake any other duties & responsibilities commensurate with the post.

London Asbestos Support

20-22 Wenlock Road, Hoxton
N1 7GU London

£15.45 per hour

Part time

Permanent

Posted July 23rd

APPLY

app.netli.co/434

Job Title	Support Worker
Accountability	The post will be line managed by the Operations Director
Location	Based from home with travel throughout London and the South East of England (preferably based in South East London Boroughs or East Kent)
Rate of Pay	£15.45 per hour
Holidays	28 Days plus Bank Holidays (Prorated)
Hours	16 hours per week (actual days and times can be negotiated to suit, and any changes agreed within the team, within the aim of providing a consistent service)
Purpose of Job	To contact relevant nurse specialists at hospitals in London and The South East areas to explain the purpose of the charity and invite them to provide their patients with the charity services guide brochure and to contact the charity to provide benefits advice and to signpost for legal advice. To advise those suffering from asbestos-related diseases and the families of their rights and entitlements through home visits and telephone appointments. To assist with the set-up and running of monthly support groups and to provide details of local support services such as therapists, counselors etc. It is important that the support groups are established in a format that meets the wishes and needs of the clients.
Duties and Responsibilities	To contact and visit nurse specialists in hospitals in the areas concerned to advise of identity and purpose of the charity. To conduct home visits and appointments with sufferers and their families in order to provide information & assistance on benefits and access to civil compensation. To provide practical and emotional support and assistance for sufferers and their families. To develop and maintain sufficient knowledge of the issues faced by users of the service. To keep and maintain case files and update the database. To attend appropriate meetings and functions. To assist with funding applications. Operate in compliance with the charity's policies and procedures, helping where necessary to develop these. Undertake any other duties & responsibilities commensurate with the post.

	Essential	Desirable
Experience
Experience in a relevant working environment eg nursing / welfare rights / asbestos support group	✓
Work in voluntary sector or with volunteers		✓
Skills
Excellent communication skills — written & verbal	✓
Office, IT & administrative skills	✓
Adaptability/Flexibility	✓
Ability to drive and possession of a valid driving licence and access to a car	✓
People skills eg. relational / approachable	✓
Ability to speak sensitively to people	✓
Knowledge
Issues affecting those with asbestos-related diseases, including those with terminal conditions		✓
Welfare Rights & Benefits		✓
Personal Injury Compensation System		✓
Health service		✓
Knowledge of local communities		✓
Commitment
Equality & equal opportunities	✓