Trainee Community Support Worker

This is a trainee position offering an initial 6 months contract.

We are looking for an enthusiastic person whose main purpose will be to visit isolated and/or vulnerable elderly Irish people at home, provide them with advice and information on welfare benefits, health and social services and housing services and to advocate for clients to access appropriate services.

You will work within a small team, learning in-house, from the team and also attending various training courses as required.

Essential
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate effectively with older people who may have sensory impairments or communication difficulties
• Good understanding of the issues affecting the lives of older Irish people and the wide range of experiences, backgrounds and levels of vulnerability of this group of people
• Ability to demonstrate empathy for the client group and be committed to the promotion of a person centred working environment
• Experience of dealing effectively with challenging situations
• Ability to respond to instructions from your supervisor
• Experience of using MS Word and Excel
• A flexible, proactive approach with a willingness to adapt to meet service demands
• Willingness to work occasional evenings and weekends
• Commitment to the core aims of the organisation, promoting SIPP’s policies and procedures

Desirable
• Gaelic speaker
• Experience in a role (paid or unpaid) supporting vulnerable people e.g. mental health work, older people, vulnerable adults, substance (alcohol) use
• Knowledge of the health and social care systems in the UK (especially those in Southwark, Lambeth or Lewisham)
• Experience of working (paid or unpaid) within a small team
• Knowledge and/or experience of welfare benefits particularly those that affect older people
• Ability to work to targets
• Ability to receive and record information about clients
• Knowledge of using a database
• Willing to attend training as required

Other
• Willingness to travel and work in different locations in south London
• The successful applicant will be required to have an enhanced DBS Check

We are a small charity, established in 1994, providing drop-in day services and community support services to elderly Irish people in south London.
We are largely funded by the Irish Government along with smaller grants from various Trusts and Charities.