Imago (formerly Voluntary Action within Kent) is a long established, well respected and effective charity working across Kent, Medway and East Sussex to deliver a range of services to individuals, voluntary and community organisations, the public and private sector.
Our mission is to promote, develop and facilitate social action, support independence and empower communities. User and volunteer engagement, leadership and involvement in decision making are core principles.

We deliver a wide range of services in partnership with funders, public sector commissioners and private sector sponsors to children and young people, older people, carers, and volunteers.

Underpinning our work is a commitment to excellence, evidencing impact and safeguarding vulnerable people.

Imago offers a competitive remuneration package consisting of salary, contributory pension, healthcare benefits and 25 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays.

The Care Navigator Service offers free information and support to help vulnerable people over the age of 18 to manage change in their lives. We work in partnership with and provide a key link between statutory, voluntary and private services in order to promote and facilitate the preventative agenda or early intervention and health promotion, and support timely and efficient hospital discharge.

Key role:

The purpose of this role is to support the Care Navigator Service by handling incoming communications through the hub, responding to queries, providing information and advice to vulnerable adults across West Kent and referral to Community Care Navigators for short term intervention.

To compile a resource directory for the CN Service, and provide high quality administrative support to the service as directed by the Director of Services.

Main Responsibilities:

 To take responsibility for telephone contacts over the phone, collation of client/patient information via bespoke database and referral to the appropriate Care Navigator where intensive support and face to face appointments are required

 Offer a telephone service signposting people to support services including financial and benefit advice, housing, health and safety home systems, and leisure and social activities

 To undertake research and necessary training to ensure we are offering a well informed, high quality service

 To produce and maintain a central electronic resource of services and contacts for the whole service

 Provide written reports, completion of electronic data and monitoring records to support delivery of the programme

 Attendance and participation at Team Meetings

 To work under the direction of the Director of Services

Key qualities/skills:

Knowledge:

A practical understanding of physical, emotional and attitudinal barriers facing older people

An understanding of the aims and principles of person centred planning, the Transformation and Personalisation Agenda, Bolder Steps for Kent, Care Act etc

Knowledge of confidentiality, data protection, boundaries, and Kent and Medway Safeguarding Protocols

Qualifications & Experience:

Experience of working with vulnerable adults

A high standard of education, preferably degree level or equivalent

IT skills, including word processing and document design and layout, excel, PowerPoint, access and the use of outlook

Key Qualities:

Ability to communicate effectively and appropriately with a wide range of people, particularly older people, and those with sensory and cognitive impairments

Good organisational skills, with attention to detail and the ability to effectively prioritise tasks allocated

Creative and flexible in your approach

A self-starter, able to work effectively on their own initiative, seeking support when needed, and a good team player

Discretion and judgement when dealing with sensitive and/or confidential information

Other:

Willingness to work flexibly outside normal office hours as necessary

Ability to travel across the county

Post is subject to references and an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check

Please either submit your CV with a short covering note outlining your CURRENT SALARY and or visit our website at www.imago.community for a full application.

Imago recognises that many people in our society experience discrimination or lack of opportunity for reasons that are not fair. These include: race, religion, creed, colour, national and ethnic origin, political beliefs, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability (including mental illness), HIV status, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity/paternity status, responsibility for dependants, appearance, geographical area, social class, income level or criminal record.

Imago aims to create a culture that respects and values each other’s differences. Imago sees these differences as an asset to our work as they improve our ability to meet the needs of the organisations and people we serve. We proactively seek to increase opportunities for inclusion, and celebrate diversity across our organisation and within the communities we serve.