Job summary
- Main area
- Old age psychiatry
- Grade
- Band 6
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Part time - 15 hours per week
- Job ref
- 152-M253.25A
- Employer
- Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Poole Community Mental Health Team, Older Persons, Alderney Hospital
- Town
- Poole
- Salary
- £15,472 - £18,632 p.a.
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 27/10/2025 23:59
Employer heading
Carers' Officer
Band 6
Job overview
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a part-time Carers Officer to join our Integrated Community Mental Health Team for Older Persons in Poole.
Our team support patients with both functional and organic mental illness. We are seeking a compassionate and proactive Carers Officer to support carers—typically family members, friends, and neighbours—who provide essential care to patients within our service.
Hours: 15 hours per week
Working Pattern: The service operates Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 5:00pm. Working hours can be discussed and agreed upon within this timeframe.
Main duties of the job
In this role, you will engage with carers to understand their needs, offer guidance, advocate on their behalf, and connect them with the services and resources that will enable them to continue their invaluable role. You will provide advice, guidance, and practical assistance, working closely with other health and social care professionals and partner organisations to ensure carers receive the support they need.
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Identify and Engage Carers
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Assess Carer Needs
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Provide Advice and Support
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Advocate for Carers
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Liaise with other Services
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Raise Awareness
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Maintain Records
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Support Peer Networks
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Contribute to Service Development
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Promote Carers’ Rights: Ensure carers are informed about their rights under relevant legislation (e.g., Care Act 2014).
Working for our organisation
At Dorset HealthCare we're on a mission to empower people to make the most of their lives through our outstanding, joined-up healthcare services. We're a dynamic, forward-looking Trust, running 12 community hospitals, specialist inpatient facilities and a wide range of integrated community and mental health services for a population of almost 800,000 people.
We do things differently here - it's one of the reasons the CQC rated us 'outstanding' in 2019. It's also why 95% of patients across our services say they have a good or very good experience of our services and 89% of staff feel they can really make a difference. Whether you're looking to work with us in one of our bustling market towns, vibrant urban locations, thriving seaside spots, or among the rolling hills of Dorset, there are lots of ways you can make a difference in our communities.
Our 7,000-strong workforce is at the heart of what we do and our success is a testament to our brilliant people. We're all about building a workplace for the future, we believe in equal opportunities and we celebrate diversity. We're an inclusive workplace, where everyone is welcome, everyone can be authentic, and we are all encouraged to be the best version of ourselves.
Working with us you'll be part of a strong team, challenge yourself, build a career, and teach us what we don't know. And you'll be working towards our vision to be better every day through excellence, compassion and expertise in all we do.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
For the main duties and responsibilities for this role please read the attached job description and person specification. When completing your application please ensure your supporting statement reflects the criteria set out in these documents by showing how your experience and skills apply to this post.
As part of our vision to have a skilled, diverse and caring workforce, Dorset HealthCare offers support for people getting into work. We offer an employability service to support individuals with application writing, interview skills and other employment support. If you would like or know of anyone who would value this support, please do contact [email protected]
Person specification
Knowledge, skills & training
Essential criteria
- Registered Mental Health Nurse (RMN), Diploma in Social Work (DipSW), or equivalent recognised qualification OR BSc (Hons) in Occupational Therapy (or equivalent), with up-to-date professional registration (e.g., NMC, HCPC, or Social Work England)
- Knowledge of the Carers Act 2014 & The Children & Families Act 2014
- Developing services for carers
- Assessment and Care Planning Policy
- Knowledge of Equal Opportunities, Equality Act 2010
- Knowledge of Risk Management and Safeguarding
- IT Skills. Experience of using clinical systems including Rio.
- Experience of working with Older Adults and/or Adults who have significant mental health problems
Desirable criteria
- Completion of CESP training (Carer Education and Support Programme) or other relevant training that enables the delivery of psycho-education and support to carers.
- Developing and facilitating carers groups
Job specific experience
Essential criteria
- Proactive team worker with ability to work autonomously as well as collaboratively.
- Experience of working with patients and carers
- Develop and maintain communication with people about difficult matters and/or in difficult situations: all communication, written communication and electronic communication
- Evidence of continuing professional development and the ability to contribute to the development of others
- Promote, monitor and maintain best practice and health safety and security
- Promote, monitor and maintain best practice and health safety and security/Contribute to improving quality, including working as an effective and responsible team member and enabling others to do so
- Assess health and wellbeing needs of carers and develop, monitor and review carers plans to meet specific needs
Personal qualities/attributes
Essential criteria
- Strong time management skills
- Well organised
- Compassionate
- Collaborative
Business travel
Essential criteria
- Subject to the provisions of the Equality Act, able to travel using own vehicle on Trust business.
Additional requirements
Essential criteria
- Demonstrable skills in written and spoken English, adequate to enable the post holder to carry out the role effectively
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Helen Pennell
- Job title
- Team Leader, Poole CMHT Older Persons
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 01202 305115
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