Job introduction We are recruiting 1 x 30 hours per week (part time) post Are you passionate about people and want to make a real difference? This is an exciting opportunity to join a small but busy team providing information, advice and support to people with care and support needs, and their carers. Brighton and Hove is a vibrant and exciting place to live and work and an exciting opportunity has arisen to join the Access Point Team within Adult Social Care and Health, to support vulnerable people living in the City. The role will support people in the community to maximise independence and wellbeing. This role is central to the Care Act 2014 and has a focus on providing support which will prevent, reduce or delay the need for long term care. Access Point is the first point of contact for Adult Social Care services in Brighton & Hove and delivers a key range of services to the general public and professionals. Access Point seeks to ensure that callers and people referred to the service are provided with the maximum information, advice, signposting and support available at this initial point of contact. Interview date: (TBC) For an informal discussion, please contact (Aneirin Sprake-Harris or Roisin Wade) - Operations Support Manager's on 01273 295597 / 01273 296345 About the role About the role As an Access Officer your key function will be to support the safe and effective triage of referrals via direct phone calls or written/emailed referrals. You will work in partnership with customers to identify their needs & preferred outcomes and agree appropriate steps to meet their needs. Accurate and relevant information, advice and signposting is critical to inform customers and identify need. Access Point Officers will provide timely and proportionate initial assessments and determine eligibility for services and equipment under The Care Act 2014. The role is office based between 9am and 5pm. You will need: To be a strong team player with excellent communication and negotiation skills (face to face, via phone and email) • To have a flexible and collaborative approach. • To be able to work well under pressure and be able to prioritise work • An understanding of the needs of people with physical and mental health difficulties, and their carers • Excellent knowledge of local support services You will receive: • Training to assess needs effectively and enable the identification and provision of minor aids and equipment to support safer independent living • Regular supervision and support from Social Workers and Occupational Therapists In addition to working for an organisation that values the immense contribution Access Officers make and ensures effective support is always in place, we offer a package of benefits including: a salary within the range £22,834 - £24,372 (actual for 30 hours) per annum depending on level of experience Opportunities for overtime subject to business requirements. a range of family-friendly policies including flexible working a range of exclusive benefits and discounts from a large number of the UK’s largest retailers and service providers to help your money go further Please read our Apply for a job at the council pages carefully. They give you all the guidance you need to complete your application as well as information on what will happen after you’ve submitted your application and at interview. As part of your application, you will need to upload your Application Form and answers to some shortlisting questions. Your answers to the shortlisting questions are the most important part of your application as it will be used in the shortlisting process to assess whether you meet the essential requirements for the role that are set out in the person specification and to decide whether you should be offered an interview. Before you start your application, please read our guidance here ( Application Form guidance (brighton-hove.gov.uk) and ( Shortlisting guidance (brighton-hove.gov.uk) as this gives important advice which will increase your chance of success in the shortlisting process. Additional information Your starting salary will be pro rata if the above position is less than 37 hours or term-time only. For more information about our values and the benefits of working at the council, visit Why work for us Company information Please note that this post is subject to a Basic Disclosure Criminal Records Check. Encouraging a diverse workforce Our city is known and loved for its diversity. Not only is the mixture of people, culture and skills vital to the economic and social development of the city, it's what makes Brighton & Hove such a great place to live, work and visit. We are committed to developing and retaining a workforce that is representative of the diverse communities we serve so we welcome applications from individuals from all backgrounds. In order to achieve our aims of proportionate representation, we particularly encourage applicants from a BME or White Other background as well as those who identify as disabled, male or trans. Find out more about our commitment to being a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone can achieve their potential by reading about our fair and inclusive actions, our anti-racism strategy and the work we are doing to encourage a diverse workforce (brighton-hove.gov.uk). e.