Job Title: Activities Co-Ordinator Location: Adelaide House, 24 Adelaide Park, Belfast, BT9 6FX Council:Social Witness Salary Scale: £11.63 per hour Hours:25 hours Responsible to:Home Manager MAIN FUNCTION OF JOB To Co-ordinate and participate in activities with Residents and to assist with Residents Outings when required. BACKGROUND INFORMATION The Council for Social Witness (Older People Services) is part of the work and witness of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland and its aim is to provide care for older people in a specifically Christian ethos and environment, placing great emphasis on offering spiritual support and encouragement to residents, as well as physical care. Adelaide House is one of 6 homes for older people run by the Council for Social Witness (Older People Services) and is situated at 24 Adelaide Park, Belfast BT9 6FX. The Home accommodates 45 residents who have a variety of physical, social, emotional and spiritual needs and varying levels of dependency. The Home operates a No Smoking Policy. RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES Duties To plan, organise and co-ordinate a wide range of activities and events. Activities and events must provide positive outcomes and also meet identified needs and interests of the residents. To ensure that activities meet the needs of residents who have early stage dementia and also residents who are mentally coherent. To ensure that the activity programme includes activities that are enjoyable, purposeful, age and culturally appropriate and takes into account the residents spiritual needs. To ensure that Programmes promote healthy living and are flexible and responsive to residents changing needs and facilitate social inclusion in community events. To accompany residents on organised outings. To enable Residents to participate in the programme through the provision of equipment, aids and support from staff or others. To ensure that the duration of each activity and daily timetable takes into account the needs and abilities of the residents participating. To encourage staff members, relatives and friends to participate with planned activities. To assess individual need continuously providing one to one activities for residents, showing particular regard to rehabilitation and dementia care. To assist the Home Manager in planning the homes special events around Christmas, Easter and Harvest. Record Keeping and Communication To maintain Individual activity plans for residents. To ensure that the programme of activities is displayed in a suitable format and in an appropriate location so that residents and their representatives know what is scheduled. To regularly review the programme (at least twice yearly) to ensure it meets the residents changing needs. To update and process computerised records as required To maintain a record of all activities that take place, the name of the person leading the activity and the names of the residents who participate. To monitor, record and evaluate the success of each activity To report any changes in residents physical or emotional condition to the Home Manager or Senior in charge To participate in Residents Meetings as require Working with others To liaise closely with Senior Staff as to the suitability of activities for individual residents. To liaise with Friends Of to ensure there is a co-ordinated approach to events and activities. To provide activity reports as appropriate to participate in residents annual care reviews Health and Safety To be aware of the Health & Safety Policy in relation to activities being carried out and any equipment used must comply with safety standards. To promote safe working practice within the home and closely follow the homes Code of Behaviour. In conjunction with the home manager, to complete risks assessments on outings as necessary To comply with all CSW policies and procedures as required CRITERIA 1. QUALIFICATIONS AND KNOWLEDGE Essential Evidence an understanding of and respect for the needs of older people in a residential/nursing situation Awareness of health and safety practices within a working and residential/nursing home environment Desirable Appropriate IT skills to be able to use Microsoft Word and the Internet 2. RELEVANT EXPERIENCE Essential Experience of working with older people Desirable Experience of delivering activity programmes 3. PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES Essential To have integrity, honesty, patience and an even temperament To have the ability to work on own initiative and have an innovative approach To have the ability to treat all matters confidentially To have respect for the authority and direction of the management and supervision of the Home To have the ability to work as a member of a caring team To have strong organisational/administrative ability 4. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS Essential Health such as to allow for attendance reliability and work proficiency (reasonable adjustments will be made for those with a disability) Appearance personal dress and presentation must meet Health & Hygiene standards 5. SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES Essential Willingness to work additional hours if required Must be willing to behave in a manner which respects the Christian ethos of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland Skills: Residential Care Life Skills Elderly care Benefits: Discount Card Free uniform and training Enhanced annual leave Free Access NI and NISCC Registration Enhanced maternity and pension scheme Free INSPIRE Counselling