Jobs

Salary: £28,000 per year Location: Pan-Dorset (hybrid – home working with travel across Dorset) Contract: 30 hours, permanent

The Dorset ME Support Group is looking for a compassionate and proactive Self Management Care Co-ordinator to support people living with ME/CFS across Dorset.

Deliver person‑centred support recognising the fluctuating nature of ME/CFS and PCS.

• Provide accessible information empowering patients to manage their own health
• Develop and support local groups and community activities that promote safe, pacedengagement.
• Strengthen relationships with NHS ME/CFS and PCS clinicians, primary care, social care,and voluntary organisations.
• Identify and contribute to future service improvement

Objectives of the Post

Deliver person‑centred support recognising the fluctuating nature of ME/CFS and PCS. Provide accessible information empowering patients to manage their own health Develop and support local groups and community activities that promote safe, pacedengagement. Identify and contribute to future service improvement

1. Direct Support to Patients and Carers

Provide one‑to‑one support or groupwork via phone, virtual or in‑person contact. Offer generalised emotional support Escalate concerns where appropriate, in line with safeguarding and confidentialityprinciples Assist patients navigating NHS, social care, employment, and benefits systems. Help individuals prepare for clinical reviews and understand care plans. Maintain understanding of ME/CFS and PCS guidance including NICE recommendations

2. Care Coordination & Advocacy

Work collaboratively with NHS clinicians and other professionals to support seamlesscare. Support individuals accessing welfare benefits, working with advisors as required.

3. Community Support & Group Facilitation

Develop and maintain Link Groups and community activities. Ensure activities are accessible, paced and inclusive. Offer wellbeing check‑ins for those living alone or at risk of isolation.

4. Information, Resources and Education

Maintain and update patient information packs and digital resources. Support development of accessible written and digital materials. Contribute to community awareness‑raising and service information sessions

5. Reporting, Governance and Service Development

• Maintain accurate, confidential records.

Prepare annual reports summarising activity, patient needs and outcomes. Identify service improvement opportunities and contribute to planning. Participate in local long‑term conditions networks and multi‑agency meetings.

Skills, Knowledge and Attributes

Values & Patient‑Centred Qualities

• Compassion, empathy, excellent listening skills.
• Commitment to patient empowerment, dignity and independence.
• Respect for confidentiality, diversity and inclusion.
• Professional Skills

Ability to collaborate with NHS teams and voluntary organisations. Strong advocacy skills for people facing barriers to care, benefits or employment. Clear communication tailored to people with sensory sensitivity or cognitive fatigue. Highly organised, reliable and autonomous. Competent in all digital communication tools and Microsoft Office.

Experience & Requirements

Experience supporting people with long‑term conditions or disabilities.

Understanding of ME/CFS and PCS and its impact.

• Knowledge of statutory services and benefits Full driving licence and access to a vehicle.

Additional Notes

The post holder will work with Dorset ME Support Group policies and values, maintaining the highest professional standards.

Flexibility may be required, including occasional evenings or weekends.

LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT

• Communication and Language – Establish communication with clients for advice and guidance. Support clients to make use of the service.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and able to develop therapeutic alliance/relationship with patients is central to the role
• Manage personal caseload in line with policy and service deman

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE 

Dorset HealthCare has a range of clinical, operational, financial, health & safety, risk management, human resource, equality & diversity and other policies, procedures and guidance, copies of which can be found on the Trust Intranet or obtained from the line manager or Human Resources Department.

The post holder is expected to be aware of all policies, procedures and guidance which applies to them and to observe their provisions at all times.  Employment in this post is subject to a Disclosure & Barring Service criminal records Disclosure.

The post holder may be required to undertake a Disclosure application at any time during employment.  Staff are not permitted to smoke on Dorset HealthCare premises, either inside or outside, or inside Trust vehicles.  

Staff are expected to undertake all mandatory training and refresher training appropriate to their role.

This may include preventative management of violence and aggression (PMVA) and/or breakaway techniques, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). If in doubt as to which mandatory training applies to this post, advice should be sought from the line manager. 

All staff who are required to handle food and drink other than for their own consumption must comply with the Food Safety and Hygiene (England) Regulations 2013.  

Dorset HealthCare is committed to promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults.

Staff are expected to be aware of, and comply, with their roles and responsibilities in relation to safeguarding vulnerable groups. 

Staff are expected to observe the highest standards of care and conduct and to engage constructively with managers, colleagues, patients/service users/carers and others in the course of their duties.       

CORE ATTRIBUTES AND BEHAVIOURS 

Staff are expected to adhere to and demonstrate Dorset HealthCare’s Core values and behaviours at all times.

Values  Our values underpin all that we do and provide a sense of direction to people, teams and the Trust overall. 

Respect and dignity We value each person as an individual, respect their aspirations and commitments in life, and seek to understand their priorities, needs, abilities and limits. We take what others have to say seriously. We are honest about our point of view and what we can and cannot do. 

Commitment to quality of care We earn the trust placed in us by insisting on quality and striving to get the basics right every time: safety, confidentiality, professional and managerial integrity, accountability, dependable service and good communication. We welcome feedback, learn from our mistakes and build on our successes. 

Compassion and kindness We respond with humanity and kindness to each person’s pain, distress, anxiety or need. We search for the things we can do, however small, to give comfort and relieve suffering. We find time for those we serve and work alongside. We do not wait to be asked, because we care. 

Improving lives We strive to improve health and wellbeing and people’s experiences of the NHS. We value excellence and professionalism wherever we find it – in the everyday things that make people’s lives better as much as in clinical practice, service improvements and innovation. 

Working together for patients We put patients first in everything we do, by reaching out to staff, patients, carers, families, communities, and professionals outside the NHS. We put the needs of patients and communities before organisational boundaries. 

Everyone counts We use our resources for the benefit of the whole community and make sure nobody is excluded or left behind. We accept that some people need more help, that difficult decisions have to be taken – and that when we waste resources we waste others’ opportunities. We recognise that we all have a part to play in making ourselves and our communities healthier. 

Behaviours Our behaviours provide a guide to how we can bring our values to life and constantly remind us that how we do things is as important as what we do and achieve. 

Positive Embracing change and feedback, utilising constructive feedback to make improvements and promoting achievements of the Trust and others. 

Proactive Challenging unacceptable behaviour, showcasing learning and innovation, actively encouraging ideas and involvement from others. 

Supportive Being attentive, encouraging and helping others, giving and receiving feedback to enable people, teams and services to develop. 

Respectful Empowering people to voice their opinion, introducing yourself and ensuring language is professional and inclusive. 

Reliable and trustworthy Being open and transparent, acknowledging errors, being honest about limitations and not over-promising.

Company: Dorset ME Support Group

Salary: £28,000 per annum

Location: Dorset, Dorset

Sector: Health and Social Care

Sector: Health

Sector: Social Care

Job Role: Co-ordinator

Job Role: Care Worker