Communications Facilitator

About Us

North Somerset Council is committed to providing high-quality services to our community. We are committed to creating a fair, green, and more inclusive environment for all our residents. Join us and contribute to making a positive impact on our community.

The Role

We have a vacancy in the Hospital Discharge and Assessment Team (HDAT) within North Somerset Council, Adult Social Services for a part-time Communications Facilitator.

HDAT provides adult social care support - in line the Care Act 2014 and the Mental Capacity Act 2005 - to residents of North Somerset who have ongoing social care needs and are:

• about to leave hospital after an in-patient stay and are ‘medically optimised’,
• about to leave Discharge to Assess service following a recent hospital discharge and are deemed ‘rehab complete’,
• leaving reablement service following a recent hospital and D2A discharge and are at their maximum level of function. .

The team consists of Senior Social Workers, Social Workers, Adult Care Support Workers and a Comms Facilitator. Staff undertake Care Act assessments, mental capacity and best interest assessments, identify eligible needs and produce care and support plans to ensure a person’s needs are met effectively. Staff ensure people’s rights are maintained whilst working positively with family members and carers, together with other professionals involved with the person, for the best outcomes. Staff work proactively in a strengths-based way to ensure people are also able to draw on their own abilities and support networks for a quality of life.

The role of the communications facilitator is critical in ensuring all those involved in the progression of hospital and service discharges, assessments, care and support provision are kept up to date and fully informed with the status of cases to be supported by and being supported by HDAT. The work is focussed on timely interventions to enable people to return home with the right support as soon as is possible. Effective and accurate communication is vital in this team where demand is high, and pace of work is critical.

You would be expected to be an organised worker, with the ability to act on your own initiative as well as a good communicator over the telephone, email and via electronic platforms, in multi-disciplinary meetings on Microsoft Teams. You would be expected to keep accurate records and computer skills are essential in Word, Excel, Outlook and have the ability to learn to use in-house ICT systems. The work is of a confidential nature and some information may be sensitive and distressing. For further information on the skills and experience required for this role, please see the job description.

The role is home-based, with occasional days working at Weston-super-Mare Town Hall. Please note that during the induction period, it may be necessary to spend more time in the office to support your learning and development. We are flexible and open to discussions about your preferred working style, and if you wish to be in the office more frequently this can be negotiated.

This position is exempt under the provisions of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions) Order 1975 and is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check.

• 0-1 day in the office
• Includes field workers who primarily work remotely.
• Comes into the office for meetings or focused work. Virtual connections with the team are essential, with portable technology supporting work on the go.

What We Offer

At North Somerset Council, we value our employees and provide a supportive and inclusive work environment. We offer:

• Competitive salary and benefits
• Flexible working arrangements
• Local Government Pension
• Opportunities for professional development
• Inclusive Staff groups including Carers, Disabled, LGBTQ+, REACH (Race, Ethnicity, and Cultural Heritage), and Young Staff Forums
• Opportunity to purchase up to an additional 10 days annual leave each year
• Dedicated in house Wellbeing Team
• Salary sacrifice Cycle to Work and Electric Vehicle schemes

Further details of our excellent rewards package can be found in our Benefits booklet.

How to Apply

If you share our vision and valuesand are ready to make an impact to North Somerset, please select the apply online button below. If you are interested in this exciting opportunity, please submit your application by 11.59pm on the application closing date. When completing our online application form, please detail how you meet the essential criteria for the role.

Contact Information

For further information about the role, please contact Paul Obrey, HDAT Team Manager, at paul.obrey@n-somerset.gov.uk or 07385 373 117.

Important Information

As a Disability Confident Leader, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job role.

Interview Date: TBC.

Please note: We are currently only able to accept applications from candidates who have full permission to work in the UK and are unable to provide Sponsorship for this role.

Equal Opportunities

At North Somerset Council we want all our employees to feel valued and appreciated. We aim to ensure equality of opportunity and prevent discrimination irrespective of your sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion or belief, race, age, disability, including neurodiversity, if you are married or in a civil partnership or are pregnant or currently on maternity leave. We strive to create a workplace that reflects the communities we serve and where everyone feels empowered to bring their full, authentic selves to work.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

We reserve the right to close this advertisement early or extend the closing date depending on the number of applications received.