Working for Norfolk First Response
Norfolk First Response is a specialist department within Norfolk County Council which offers reablement services.
Reablement is all about helping and supporting people who have suffered a long illness, sudden illness or nasty accident to recover and recuperate, usually in their own home. Reablement helps people to regain lost skills and/or confidence after their period of inaction so they can return to their normal life as quickly as possible.
Reablement Support Workers provide short term assistance and support for up to 6 weeks either in people's homes or in our accommodation unit. Depending on the illness or injury, people might need help with meals, washing, dressing and personal care or building up confidence with going up and down stairs and moving around their home. Our services help prevent people from being re-admitted to hospital because they have tried to do too much too soon.
Unplanned Needs Support Workers attend to minor emergencies day and night, usually in people's homes. They could be called to an older person who has fallen over and cannot get up, or to someone who has a need for urgent personal care.
Both teams work all over Norfolk.
Building relationships with the people we meet and helping them to recover and get back on their feet is incredibly satisfying. Knowing you are responsible for bringing a bit of joy into their life and helping them to regain their independence is unquantifiable.
Norfolk First Response is recruiting now. If you are caring, compassionate, willing to learn and dedicated to helping others, come and work for us.
There are lots of benefits for working for Norfolk First Response:
- Salaried rota patterns
- Free training including Care Certificate and
- Level 2-5 Health & Social Care
- Induction mentor
- Career opportunities within the County Council and partner organisations
- Local Government Pension Scheme
- Paid mileage, travel and car lease scheme
- Shopping vouchers and discounts
- Wellbeing support from Norfolk Support Line
- Access to a credit union
- Access to Social Club at County Hall
- Interest free cycle purchase scheme
- Free personal protective equipment
- Out of hours support
- Staff recognition awards
We offer an intensive induction programme to equip you with the skills you need.
Induction and progression
Two-week training - the induction includes classroom style training, practical training and some e-learning to achieve the Care Certificate. You will be paid for your time and travel expenses to training.
Shadowing with a mentor - Once you have completed the Care Certificate training you will shadow an experienced colleague to help you understand your day-to-day tasks and build your confidence before going out on visits on your own.
Starting your shifts - Once the induction and training is complete your line manager will explain the rota and the phone system and set up your shift pattern.
Probation - during your 6-month induction period you will have regular meetings with your manager to make sure you are happy and equipped to do the role. You can discuss any further training needed.
Continuous professional development - after you have completed your probation, you will be able to work towards Level 2 Health & Social Care qualification if you don't already have it.
Ongoing training - we will continue to offer further training and development opportunities while you work for us, including compulsory updates that you are required to attend.
Ongoing support - we have regular team meetings and you will also have face-to-face supervisions with your line manager. This is an opportunity to discuss what's going well and any concerns you may have and you will be given contact numbers for support at any other time.
Opportunities to progress - there are plenty of opportunities to progress; at Norfolk First Response we offer a variety of roles and have nearly 500 posts at all levels. Many members of staff have remained with the service for many years, while others have used their experience and knowledge and moved to other sections of Adult Social Services for further development and working towards careers in social work or occupational therapy.
