Needs Assessment Officer

About the role

North Northamptonshire Council have an exciting opportunity for a Needs Assessment Officer to join our Specialist Support for Younger Adults team.

This new post will consist of working out of our Corby or Wellingborough office as well as in the community supporting our service users. You will work alongside Supervisors and Management, who are supporting the daily needs of customers within their own homes in the community. The need to be flexible, understanding and compassionate is essential and to have an understanding of adults with a various range of disabilities.

Shift Pattern: Full and Part time vacancies are available, which could include early and late shifts, along with every other weekend working. 

As this role involves working during unsociable hours, you will be entitled to the following:

• Enhanced rates on from 8pm until 8pm including Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays 
• Enhanced overtime pay 
• Business mileage paid at 45p an hour

Our main goal is to find people who can make a difference!

What will you be doing?

Overall Job Purpose:

In accordance with Care Act 2014 and North Northamptonshire Council’s service plans, eligibility criteria and objectives, to carry out a strength-based assessment, to identify and deliver care needs in conjunction with individuals, carers, and multi-agencies, to ensure people receive the information and the level of support required for them to regain or maintain their level of independence and to be safe within the community.

To be case accountable, to to work independently and provide appropriate and timely support to both Team Leaders and Supervisors.

Main Responsibilities:

• Managing an appropriate caseload of people by undertaking clear and accurate statutory assessments and reviews of individual person, in line with statutory guidance and best practice. Assessments need to be proactive, preventative, and personal and include support from other professional services where required, to ensure people receive the information and the level of support required for them to regain or maintain their level of independence and to be safe within the community.
• Provide goal setting / support plans for individual people as appropriate. Ensuring individuals are supported and encouraged to access any community support that is available and in doing so ensure equality and diversity informs the service delivery and understanding of the impact upon people in the planning process.
• Assess and manage any risks to individuals and others effectively, whilst ensuring positive risk taking is supported and appropriately managed.
• Provide accurate, impartial information, support and guidance to people and their families, including appropriate information relating to financial matters, ensuring any implementation and choice of a support plan is within budgetary constraints.
• To manage own caseload and organise and plan work activities taking into account the need to prioritise tasks and responsibilities, to ensure assessments and reviews, support plans are undertaken and updated within an agreed timeframe, to reduce/avoid any adverse impact on the care of the person and delivery of the service.
• To maintain case records where the information is concise, accurate and timely so that customers circumstances are accessible at all times to ensure continuity of provision, maintaining both customer and management information through the use of appropriate IT systems and in line with professional requirements and departmental recording methods.
• Use a person-centred approach, listening and developing creative and personalised solutions, to assist people to manage their lives independently in the community for as long as possible and in doing so w Work in partnership with other agencies to improve collaboration, coordination, and support to achieve and meet each person’s needs.
• To demonstrate awareness/understanding of equal opportunities and other people’s behavioural, physical, social and welfare needs.

About you

• Degree or equivalent/QCF level 3 with experience of working in Social Care or willing to work towards this (Health & Social Care)
• The ability to demonstrate knowledge gained through detailed practice and application of procedures in Adult Social Care Health and Social Care
• GCSE grade C and above or equivalent in English
• Working knowledge and understanding of the Mental Capacity Act 2005.
• In depth knowledge of the Care Act 2014 to ensure care act compliant eligibility.
• Working knowledge and understanding of relevant national and local policy issues in Adult Social Care.
• Knowledge & understanding of cultural differences where communities have different ethnic backgrounds to ensure equality of opportunity.
• Excellent report writing skills, demonstrating the ability to achieve clear and concise reports that are fit for purpose.
• Excellent listening skills and the ability to understand and communicate clearly at all levels.
• Ability to build a rapport and build relationships with people, families, providers, other professionals, and wider communities.
• Ability to prioritise tasks, manage own workload, to be case accountable and initially manage difficult and complex cases.
• Ability to actively support and promote equal opportunities.
• Ability to operate in a fast-paced office and changing environment, and to be able to make initial decisions on any shift where they are the responsible person.
• Empathetic and caring when working.
• To be aware of your environment and the need to be appropriate and professional at all times.
• Previous experience of working with people with care and support needs.
• Experience, knowledge, and demonstration of using various IT packages and systems.
• Accurate and detailed entry and analysis required.
• Understanding of Data Protection guidance.
• Ability to demonstrate awareness/understanding of equal opportunities and other people’s behaviour, physical, social and welfare needs
• Demonstrate an understanding of the safe working practices that apply to this role.
• Ability to work in a way that promotes the safety and well-being of vulnerable adults.

Our benefits

We offer:

• a competitive salary
• a pension scheme, where we pay a significant contribution on top of your contribution. It provides life cover and ill-health protection.
• opportunities to develop your skills, knowledge and potential in a large unitary council
• generous leave entitlement (28 days, rising to 33 days) and bank holidays, plus the option to buy up to an extra 10 days
• agile and flexible working arrangements to help you with a healthy work-life balance.

About us

We are a new unitary council, established in April 2021; we are one of the largest unitary councils in the country. Our vision for North Northants is to be 'A place where everyone has the best opportunities and quality of life'.

Our priorities are:

• helping people live active fulfilled lives
• caring for our young people, providing them with high quality education and opportunities
• enabling a thriving and successful economy
• leading on a green and sustainable environment
• ensuring our communities are connected so they can shape their lives and where they live
• providing modern public services

Our values, as chosen by our staff, are - Customer-focused, Respectful, Efficient, Supportive and Trustworthy.

Your differences make us different - Achieve Together.