Job introduction

Are you passionate about people and want to make a real difference? We are recruiting one full-time Access Point Officer to work 37 hours per week on a permanent basis.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a passionate team which provides information, advice and support to people with care and support needs and their carers in our city. The role is to support people in the community to maximise independence and wellbeing which is central to the Care Act 2014, having a focus on preventing, reduce or delay the need for long term care.

About the role

• 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, providing the most appropriate information and advice, signposting and support available at this initial point of contact.

  As an Access Point 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 and 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 will be provided as part of your role.
• 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 £24,948 - £26,845 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 many of the UK’s largest retailers and service providers to help your money go further.

• Closing date:  Midnight Sunday 24 September 2023

  Interview date:  Tbc

Please read our Apply for a job at the council (brighton-hove.gov.uk) 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 complete your education and work history and provide answers to some shortlisting questions. Your answers to the shortlisting questions are the most important part of your application as they 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 (Shortlisting questions 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.

Work Permits: We may be able to obtain a Work Permit for this post but this is subject to meeting the requirements of the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) Points-based Immigration System. Please see Gov.uk for more information on the Skilled Worker Visa.

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).