Job Description: Personal Support Planning & Direct Payment Advisor
August 2015
PERSONAL SUPPORT PLANNING & DIRECT PAYMENT ADVISOR
JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title:
Personal Support Planning & Direct Payment Advisor
NJC Scale Point:
NJC Scale Pt 18-22; £17,714 to £20,253 (depending on experience)
Hours:
22.5 hours per week – 0.6 FTE (plus such additional hours as are required
by the business from time to time)
26 days (pro rata) plus statutory and bank holidays (1 additional day after
each year of service, up to a maximum of 31 days).
Annual Leave:
Location:
Swindon (or other location your employer may reasonably specify)
Pension:
Contributory pension scheme (employer’s contribution 7% to a minimum
3% contribution from employee).
Accountable to:
Brokerage & Direct Payment Support Service Team Leader
Responsible for:
None
Principal Purpose of the Job
The Swindon] Brokerage and Direct Payment Service works directly with clients to facilitate
choice, independence and improved wellbeing in planning individual care.
The Advisor will be involved in developing, implementing and reviewing with the client mutually
agreed support plans designed to meet assessed objectives, whilst planning for risk. The Advisor
will provide support and information to identify appropriate services and community resources
that will meet planned outcomes and make best use of the allocated personal budget. The
Advisor will also provide information, advice and guidance to help clients choose whether, and if
so how, to take up a Direct Payment.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
1. To provide information, advice, guidance and support to a caseload of clients. Advising on
and facilitating flexible approaches to promote independent living (or maximum
independence) and encouraging the development of existing skills and personal support
networks.
2. To work with care managers, other professionals and partners to clarify the individual
assessment of need and negotiate an agreed written support and spending plan that clearly
meets assessed needs.
3. To work collaboratively with clients, their carers and advocates to develop person centred
support plans which are sensitive and responsive to lifestyle, culture, aspiration, skills and
need, and are creative in their identification and use of community resources.
4. To ensure that information, advice and support is offered in the communication method
preferred by the service user and that communication support needs are accommodated, in
consultation with carers and advocates as required.
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Job Description: Personal Support Planning & Direct Payment Advisor
August 2015
5. To provide support in implementing a package of care designed to meet outcomes within an
agreed budget, including guidance on managing budgets and employment of care providers.
6. To review support plans and agree and implement any changes as directed by the client
and/or their carers and advocates.
7. To assess risk factors relevant to the agreed support plan. Develop and implement a risk
management plan to include alternative or ‘back-up’ arrangements in the event of any
difficulties.
8. To build comprehensive knowledge and understanding of available community resources; to
assist with identifying and accessing the most appropriate service(s) for the individual client.
9. To mediate and work to resolve any problems or issues arising from the implementation of
the support plan.
10. To build effective working relationships with the client, their families, carers and advocates,
ensuring that consultation is sensitive and appropriate.
11. To promote the service and build effective working relationships with partners and referring
agencies, community resources and other services.
12. To provide clients with information, advice and guidance regarding Direct Payments and (for
clients who elect to take a Direct Payment) support them to set up relevant
services/activities as identified in the personal support plan, including where appropriate:
-
Support to recruit a Personal Assistant
Support to understand and fulfil their responsibilities as an employer
Support to access payroll and managed account services, including DHI’s own.
13. Maintain accurate records and produce written reports of work as required.
14. To carry out all necessary administration in relation to casework task including monitoring.
15. To perform as part of the DHI Brokerage and Direct Payment Support Service team,
attending and participating in regular team meetings and to attend appropriate training
courses.
16. To participate in regular support and supervision with the Senior Advisor and Brokerage and
Direct Payment Team Leader
17. Participate in the planning processes and contribute to the establishment of DHI’s business
plan.
18. To work with the Brokerage and Direct Payment Team Leader in the periodic reviews of
service policies and procedures.
19. To carry out any other duties relevant to the role.
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Job Description: Personal Support Planning & Direct Payment Advisor
August 2015
Organisational Responsibilities
At all times adhere to DHI policies and procedures, with specific reference to:
o
Confidentiality
Ensure confidentiality at all times, only releasing confidential information obtained
during the course of employment to those acting in an official capacity.
o
Data Protection Act
To comply with the requirements of the Data Protection Act.
o
Equal Opportunities and Diversity
To ensure that all clients, their partners, colleagues both within DHI and other partner
organisations are treated as individuals by following DHI’s Equality and Diversity Policy
o
Health and Safety
To ensure you comply at all times with the requirements of the Health and Safety
regulations and DHI’s Health and Safety Policy and Procedures. You are responsible for
taking reasonable care with regard to yourself as well as any colleague, client or visitor
who might be affected by an act or failure to act by yourself.
o
Quality Assurance
To ensure all activities are managed in a way that supports DHI’s Quality Assurance
systems.
o
Safeguarding
To adhere to the implementation of risk management procedures (including child and
adult safeguarding protocols) taking personal responsibility for keeping up to date on
the requirements of these procedures. DHI is committed to safeguarding and
promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all
staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
o
Lone Working
To work in accordance with the DHI Lone Working policy and procedures.
This job description contains only the main accountabilities relating to the post and does not
describe in detail all the duties required to carry them out. As duties and responsibilities change,
the job description will be reviewed and amended in consultation with the post holder.
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Job Description: Personal Support Planning & Direct Payment Advisor
August 2015
Personal Support Planning & Direct Payment Advisor
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Essential
Experience of working with clients who have specific individual needs e.g. learning difficulties,
visual or hearing impairments, disabilities or mental health conditions.
Excellent communication skills, with the ability to be responsive and sensitive to a wide range of
communication needs by utilising personal skills, available aids and support.
Ability to demonstrate a commitment to person centred support planning and skills to empower
clients to make choices which encourage improved wellbeing, independence and dignity.
Ability to demonstrate up to date and pragmatic knowledge of welfare, benefits and disability
issues, rights and legislation and/or the skills to access such knowledge as required.
Ability to demonstrate an understanding of, and commitment to, anti-discriminatory policy and
practice and the Social Model of Disability.
Knowledge and commitment to Adult and Child Safeguarding principles and procedures.
Ability to maintain information systems and keep accurate records using effective IT skills
(including MS Word and Excel).
Self-direction, ability to exercise own judgement, and versatility in managing a caseload and
prioritising work tasks.
Ability to work on own initiative as well as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
A current UK driving licence and ability to travel throughout Swindon.
Desirable
Demonstrable ability to identify and liaise with statutory, voluntary and community services
relevant to this client group
Experience of working with a wide range of stakeholders to meet the needs of the client group.
An understanding of national targets and the ability to work within a target driven environment
and meet them.
Relevant training and/or qualifications eg NVQ Level 3 Information, Advice and Guidance or NVQ
Level 3 Health and Social Care
Knowledge of local resources and activities
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