Team Leader - Dementia Support Workers

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Job description

                                        
*PLEASE NOTE*
Cyngor Gwynedd is committed to being an inclusive employer, and to enhancing the diversity of the workforce.
Your application form will be assessed anonymously.  Your title, name and email address will not be shared with the appointing panel for the purpose of shortlisting. You should carefully consider this when completing the further information section of the application form.
                                    

                                
Gwynedd Council offers an attractive employment package, for more information please click on this Information Pack
Gwynedd Council operates internally through the medium of Welsh, and offers all its services bilingually. The applicant will be required to reach the linguistic level noted as one of the essential skills in the Person Specification.
We encourage everyone who applies for a job with Gwynedd Council to submit job applications in Welsh or bilingually.
(Applications submitted in English only or Welsh only will always be treated equally, but we ask applicants to consider carefully what the linguistic requirements of the job in question is and if it would be more appropriate to submit an application in Welsh.)
For further information about this post please contact Elliw Haf Thomas on ElliwHafThomas@gwynedd.llyw.cymru or 07767498644.
Interview date to be confirmed.
Application forms are available from Support Service, Gwynedd Council, Council Offices, Caernarfon, LL55 1SH
Tel: 01286 679076
E-Mail: Swyddi@gwynedd.llyw.cymru 
CLOSING DATE:  10:00 AM, 02/11/2026
The Council will request a Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service for the successful candidate.
If you are successful to be short listed for an interview you will be contacted by E-MAIL using the address provided on your application form. You need to ensure that you check your email regularly.
                            

                
PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES 
ESSENTIAL
Communication
Possess good interpersonal skills. 


									

						
							
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							Good communication and listening skills⁠. 
A clear understanding of the importance of the voice of the individual when providing care.
Ability to provide guidance and support to other members of the team.
Problem Solving
Ability to deal with problems that could arise at short notice or use other individuals' expertise to help solve problems.
Ability to use a professional opinion to assess situations, solve problems and escalate matters appropriately.
Ability to prioritise teamwork and allocate resources effectively. 
Ability to support staff to solve problems and deal with challenging situations.
Working with others
Ability to work individually and as part of a team. 
A professional attitude with the ability to build trust with service users and their families.
Ability to motivate, support and supervise team members. 
An individual who can show empathy towards the needs of individuals and staff members. 
Ability to work effectively with health workers, social care workers and multi-agency partners.
Other skills
A sensitive, committed, honest and reliable person with the ability to work in a way that always respects the rights of the individual.
Ability to work flexibly and respond to the needs of the Service.
Ability to work independently and make decisions within the responsibilities of the job.
Ability to manage time and be reliable.
Ability to monitor and maintain high standards of quality. ⁠
DESIRABLE
Information Technology 
Confident user of IT systems to record information, monitor performance, produce reports and communicate. 
Experience of using electronic care recording systems or performance monitoring systems.
QUALIFICATIONS AND RELEVANT TRAINING 
ESSENTIAL
QCF Level 2 Health and Social Care (or similar qualification) or a commitment to qualify within a specified timeframe.
QCF Level 3 (Leadership and Management) or a commitment to qualify within a specified timeframe.
DESIRABLE
Willingness to develop knowledge about dementia and support methods for individuals living with dementia.
Training in staff supervision, leadership or performance management.
Training in health and safety e.g. manual handling, first aid.
Safeguarding Adults Training.
An understanding of person-centred care plans and provision.
RELEVANT EXPERIENCE 
ESSENTIAL
A basic understanding of dementia and its impact on individuals, families and carers, or a willingness to develop this knowledge.
Experience of supporting vulnerable adults or individuals living with dementia. 
Experience of working in a health or social care service. 
Experience of working with families and carers.
DESIRABLE
Experience of supervising, mentoring or supporting staff. 
Experience of contributing to care plans and professional records.
Experience of co-ordinating teamwork or day-to-day service arrangements.
SKILLS AND SPECIALIST KNOWLEDGE 
ESSENTIAL
An understanding of care provision principles.
Ability to follow care plans, record information correctly and maintain confidentiality.
Ability to promote person-centred practices and support other staff to do the same.
Ability to respond appropriately to safeguarding, health and safety matters and risk management.
Ability to promote the development, well-being and performance of staff.
Ability to adapt communication methods to meet the needs of individuals living with dementia.
DESIRABLE
An understanding and knowledge of specific health conditions.
Experience of managing change and supporting service developments.
Possesses a valid driving licence.
LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS
ESSENTIAL
Listening and Speaking - Advanced Level 
Able to follow a conversation or discussion through the medium of Welsh and English at a professional level and discuss general topics on a daily basis in the field to present information and express opinions. Ability to give a pre-prepared presentation and respond to any comments and questions on it in Welsh or English.
Reading and Understanding - Advanced Level 
Able to understand standard written Welsh and English, both formal and informal. Able to gather information from various sources such as letters, reports and articles in Welsh and English in order to fulfil the post.
Writing - Advanced Level 
Present written information confidently by letter, more detailed and technical report formats, and respond to written requests conveying information, ideas and opinions in Welsh and English. (Help is available to check the language). 
                

                
Purpose of the Post.
 • Ensure that the people of Gwynedd are at the heart of everything we do. 
• Promote a person-centred care ethos by following professional practice standards that meet the physical, emotional, intellectual, social and spiritual needs of service users.
• ⁠Support individuals, their families and carers to maintain independence, well-being and connections within their communities.
• Lead and manage the day-to-day work of the Dementia Support Workers, ensuring that high-quality services are consistently delivered across the county.
• Be responsible for the line management of the Dementia Support Workers, ensuring effective supervision, professional development and high performance.
• Deputise for the Area Manager when necessary and act as the main operational point of contact for the service. 
Responsibility for functions. e.g. staff, budgets, equipment
 • Line manager for up to 10 Dementia Support Workers across the County.
• Ensure that Gwynedd's Dementia Support Service provides a high quality and person-centred service.
• Provide practical day-to-day leadership for the Dementia Support Workers, promoting good practice, monitoring the quality of work and facilitating the service's development.
• Ensure appropriate use of individuals' property.
• Make appropriate use of specialist equipment that helps the individuals to live their lives according to their wishes and personal goals. This will include reporting problems with the equipment and following practice protocols and completing specialist training as required.
• Ensure that the property of service users is appropriately managed, e.g. medication and cash. 
Main Duties
 • Excel in building positive relationships with people to fully understand what will make a difference in their lives and to empower the voice of the individual at every opportunity.⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Ensure and respect the dignity and independence of individuals by showing empathy.
• Focus on supporting through person-centred approaches, adhering to the policies and procedures of the Council and the Service.
⁠SUPPORTING DEMENTIA SUPPORT WORKERS
• Undertake Line Manager duties for the Dementia Support Workers (including sickness management, annual leave, performance etc).
• Support the Dementia Support Workers on a day-to-day basis and act as the main point of contact for the team, assisting them in problem solving and overcoming challenges. Regular reporting will be required to the Area Manager.
• Conduct regular formal supervision with the Dementia Support Workers, and lead and hold team meetings on a quarterly basis.
• Support the team members to develop their skills, knowledge and confidence when working with people living with dementia.
• Record training needs, supporting the development of new and existing staff, and work with the training team within the Council to address the need.
• Communicate service updates and ensure that information is consistently shared with the team (e.g. training).
• Lead on the recruitment process to appoint new individuals to the team.
• Organise an induction programme to support new employees and ensure that they successfully complete their probationary period.
COMMUNICATION
• Represent the Team at any relevant meetings (e.g. task group, dementia actif) and undertake any action related to the Service.
• Organise and develop support groups as required, to expand links and networks relating to the provision of dementia support in the community.
• Work in partnership with community resource team members across Gwynedd (e.g. social workers, community nurses).
COMMUNITY LINKS
• Contribute to planning and delivering activities in accordance with the individuals' needs, to encourage them to live as full a life as possible and create links with their communities.
• Be responsible for knowing what is happening in communities and look for solutions to be able to help people. Encourage individuals to live their lives as fully as possible by making use of any resources and activities that are available in their community.
• Provide practical support, advice and access to resources, activities, groups and other community programmes for people living with dementia, their families and carers. This is done to maintain their independence, their lifestyle and their existing relationships for as long as possible.
• Work in partnership with the third sector and communities to encourage them to open their services to people living with Dementia.
• Attend regular meetings with Community Resource Team Leaders to monitor the quality of the service being offered, understand the demand, and monitor waiting lists in the areas.
INFORMATION MANAGEMENT
• Responsibility for ensuring that documentation is updated and filed correctly on the iGwynedd system.
• Carry out regular audits of service user files and monitor the quality of records to ensure compliance with service standards.
• Monitor that individual-specific risk assessments are developed, implemented and reviewed across the County.
REPORTING ON PROGRESS
• Responsibility for drawing up RIF reports jointly with the dementia support workers to report on the progress of the project to the Plan's grant fund, developing case studies as evidence of the work that is happening locally.
• Work with the budget manager to ensure continuity of service and identify any emerging opportunities to expand support in the County.
COMMUNICATION AND RELATIONSHIPS
• Promote honest, positive and open communication on every level at all times.
• Work in partnership with others in health and care, e.g. social workers, community nurses, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, GPs and third-sector partners.
• Act on opportunities to build lives that are connected to family and community networks and be clear regarding what they can help the person to achieve.
TRAINING AND SUPERVISION
• A commitment to follow a training programme in accordance with the national requirements and accept responsibility for your professional development.
• Attend mandatory training and any other relevant training that has been identified by the service.
• Commitment to complete a QCF Level 2 (Health and Care), and Level 3 (Management and Leadership) qualification.
• Responsible for self-development and continuous professional development.
• Be open to continuous learning and professional development within health and care.
• Attend and contribute to constructive activities such as supervision and team meetings that support the mindset of improving and developing the service and staff well-being.
• Register with the Care Council for Wales and ensure that the required number of training hours has been successfully completed every year. Ensure that your behaviours are ethical and in line with the code of professional practice for social care.
SAFEGUARDING
• Responsible for reporting any concern or suspicion that a child or vulnerable adult is being abused.
POLICIES
• Fully comply with the Cyngor Gwynedd Medication Code.
• Always behave professionally.
• Manage information and respect confidentiality in accordance with the Council's information management guidelines and standards. Ensure that personal information is handled in compliance with the Data Protection legislation.
• Comply with workplace Health and Safety rules in accordance with the responsibilities noted in the ⁠Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Council's Health and Safety Policy.
• Follow the Council's equal opportunities and equality policies.
• Fully comply with the Service's policies and guidelines.
OTHER
• Commitment to reduce the Council's carbon footprint in accordance with the Carbon Management Plan. Encourage others to work towards reducing the Council's carbon footprint.
• Undertake any other reasonable duty which corresponds to the salary level and responsibility level of the job. 
Special Circumstances. e.g. the need to work unsociable hours, special working arrangements etc.
 • It will be necessary to go through the DBS procedure.
• Deal with the money of the individuals receiving a service in accordance with the care plan and/or follow the Cyngor Gwynedd financial transactions guidelines if necessary.
• Undertake any other duties that are delegated to you by your line manager.