Support Worker / Enabler

You will be responsible for providing our clients 1-1 information, advice, and guidance within a confidential setting as appropriate, to assist them in locating and connecting with specialist help.

To complement this external specialist help, we are also expanding our own services by developing a Peer Support and Buddying service. This will build and strengthen links both amongst our clients (peer support), and between our clients and volunteer 'buddies' in the community.

In addition to external referrals, you will be providing a critical link between the needs of our clients and the new Peer Support and Buddying service. This new service will develop a culture of acceptance and inclusion by enabling people living with HIV in Cornwall to become more independent, and willing and able to join in activities and interestswhich they enjoy but may lack confidence to share with others.

You will experience in real-time the positive impact you are having on those living with HIV, as well as helping to lay the foundations for their long-term support in the community.

What will you be doing?

• Supporting the HIV clinic by meeting with both new referrals from the clinical team and existing KPS clients during clinic times to assess support needs.


• Providing advice on a range of issues affecting Positive people, including financial/debt, benefits, housing, employment, and relationship challenges.


• Identifying where clients can be referred to both external support providers/services and our own peer support and buddying service.


• Supporting clients to access external support and advise them in how they can best ensure the external support they receive meets their needs.


• Encouraging clients' participation in our peer support and buddying service.


• Building trusting and empathic relationships with our clients, the NHS clinical team, and other KPS employees.


• Keeping records of all referrals and outcomes to evidence the impact of our work in support of future funding applications.
  
  We are hiring a self-motivated, confident, and experienced part-time Support Worker/Enabler to join our small team based at the HIV Clinic at RCH Treliske. You will provide first-line assistance for Positive people, contributing directly to the long-term wellbeing, confidence, and self-care of our clients., Be experienced and comfortable working in a confidential setting.


• Have excellent listening skills and an ability to quickly build trusting relationships.


• Support clients through your working knowledge of the statutory sector: benefits, housing, and employment and the agencies and organisations which can help.


• Learn and be able to effectively communicate the benefits of peer support and buddying to those living with HIV.


• Be enthusiastic, energetic, and committed to supporting those living with HIV in Cornwall.


Other things that might be useful (but are not essential) include:

• Educated to Diploma level or above in a relevant, appropriate vocational setting and subject (e.g. Health, Social Care, Information, Advice & Guidance).


• Safeguarding Level 3 certificate. (If you do not hold this, online training will be provided.)


• Enhanced DBS certificate (this can be arranged and paid for by KPS if necessary).
  
  Kernow Positive Support (KPS) is an established charity which supports and empowers people living with HIV to lead happy, healthy lives free from stigma and discrimination. We provide information, advice, guidance, and referral.


Do you want to make a real difference to the lives of others?

In addition to knowing you're having a huge impact, what else do we offer?

• 15-20 hours per week (part-time).


• Child-friendly working hours (exact hours to be discussed).


• Salary: £11.50-13.00/hr depending on experience.


• 25 days annual leave (pro-rata) plus Bank Holidays.


• Benefits: Nest Pension, travel expenses, opportunity to accumulate additional leave for length of service