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 adults 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, early intervention and health promotions themes, and support timely and efficient hospital discharge.

Main Responsibilities:
To offer a telephone service signposting vulnerable adults to support services including financial and benefit advice, housing, health and safety home systems, and leisure and social activities

Work with service users/carers with the aim of encouraging independence, enabling people to remain at home, assisting in reducing unnecessary admissions to hospital and supporting early discharge from hospital, improving the quality of care.

To undertake home assessment visits to support individuals and their families/carer enabling them to maintain/improve their quality of life to function as independently as possible

To facilitate the individual in the identification of services within the local community, and where appropriate the purchasing of services, to meet both their short term and long term needs as identified.

Support individuals to access their local health and social care system (statutory and non-statutory), providing emotional support and advocating for them as appropriate

Assess and identify adaptation and equipment needs.

To work with other professionals to identify those who would benefit from the Navigator Service and instigate referrals (statutory, voluntary and private services).

Work in partnership establishing effective working relationships with GPs, Health and Social Care professionals, specialised support services, and a range of voluntary/community providers, to ensure a holistic and joined up approach to individual support.

Provide feedback to health/social care stakeholders and at practice Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDTs), troubleshoot and escalate actions as necessary.

To undertake research and necessary training to ensure we are offering a well inform high quality service.

To accurately gain and record service user information that will assist in directing them to the right support services, and will be used to measure positive outcomes for individuals.

To provide written reports, upload the database and provide monitoring as required to support delivery of the Service.

To work under the direction of the Care Navigator Service Manager

Key Qualities & Skills:
Knowledge -
* An understanding of the aims and principles of person centred planning, the Personalisation Agenda, Care Act 2014

* Knowledge of the Self Directive Support model, the Mental Capacity Act and the Data Protection Act, and Kent & Medway Safeguarding Policy and Protocols

Qualifications & Experience -
* A practical understanding of physical, emotional and attitudinal barriers facing vulnerable people

* A high standard of education, preferably degree level or equivalent

* Evidence of continuing professional development in health, social care or voluntary setting

* Experience of working in either a health, social care or voluntary role within the voluntary and community sector

* NVQ Level 3/4 in Information Advice and Guidance is desirable

Key Qualities -
* Ability to communicate effectively and appropriately with a wide range of people, particularly vulnerable people

* Creative and flexible in your approach

* A self-starter, able to work effectively on their own initiative and as part of a dynamic team

* Computer literate – ability to use multiple databases/websites

* Ability to build an effective network of contacts and gain the confidence of both professionals and the public alike

Essential -
* Willingness to work flexibly outside normal office hours as necessary

* A satisfactory DBS enhanced disclosure is a condition of Employment

* Full Clean Driving Licence and Access to a Vehicle

* Ability to travel across the district

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.