Independent Living Co-Ordinator - Carlisle or Barrow Office (Covering Westmorland & Furness Caseload)
Who we are
People First is an independent customer-led charitable organisation that has worked in Cumbria for over 30 years. We are passionate about our values of equality, respect, and inclusion. We provide a wide range of support and information services across Cumbria, Lancashire, and Teesside, all aimed at helping people to live informed, respected, healthy, and fulfilled lives. Our Head office is based in Carlisle, supported by offices in Barrow and Lancashire.
The Department
Our newly rebranded UDirect Support service provides specialist support to individuals who have chosen Direct Payment or Personal Health Budget to fund a package that best suits their individual care/support needs.
Our service provides:
- Ongoing Customer Support
- Package Cost/Budget Planning
- Managed Account Service
- Payroll Service
- Employer support
- Employee Training
- Home Visits (where required) to customers, covering the whole of Cumbria
Duties and Responsibilities of the Post
The role of an Independent Living Co-Ordinator within our service includes (but is not limited to):
- Supporting the customer to understand how Direct Payment/Personal Health Budget can offer self-directed care.
- Empowering customers to design a comprehensive support package to meet their individual care/support needs.
- Working collaboratively with the wider People First organisation, Local Authority and Integrated Care Board (ICB).
- Producing accurate costing plans for customers in receipt of Direct Payments and Personal Health Budget using Microsoft Excel.
- Supporting customers with their responsibilities as an employer, including package set up, recruitment, employee enrolment, contracts of employment, liability insurance & processing enhanced DBS applications.
- Obtaining data and setting up customers who have opted to access our Payroll and Managed Account services.
- On-going support to our customers throughout their Direct Payment/ Personal Health Budget Journey via various methods of contact.
- Promoting UDirect Support (and other People First services) at internal/external events.
- Various administrative duties – including working in a fast-paced environment to contractual KPIs and tight deadlines. IT Competency including Microsoft Office is essential for this role.
The duties outlined above are not intended to be exhaustive and may change in line with the demand, contractual obligations and needs of the service/organisation.
The Person
We would love to hear from you if you are a ‘people person’ who is able to work well with customers and stakeholders, while maintaining the professional image of the department and wider organisation.
Skills, Knowledge, and Experience
It is advantageous for candidates to have:
- General understanding of Direct Payments and Personal Health Budgets
- Experience of working in the health and social care sector
It is Essential for candidates to have:
- IT Literate and fully competent with Microsoft Office programmes including Excel and the ability to learn and adapt to new systems and processes.
- The ability to listen, engage and communicate with a range of people including colleagues, customers and professionals via various methods of communication.
- GSCE or Equivalent Passes in Mathematics and English.
- A positive attitude to fast-paced and growing working environments
- Creativity, flexibility, and an enthusiastic approach
- A Full Driving Licence and access to own vehicle (with adequate business insurance)
To Apply
To apply for this position, please email a copy of your CV including details of two references, to [email protected] or alternatively, you can post for the attention of Barry to People First Conference Centre, Milbourne Street, Carlisle, CA2 5XB
All applications should be clearly marked:
Confidential – ILC WAF
Closing date - 5.00pm , 4th July 2025 (may close sooner)