Job Purpose for Dementia Navigator
St Albans Community Association is one of the largest and most established community centres in Sandwell, supporting local people to live healthier, more independent and fulfilling lives. As a trusted community anchor organisation, we deliver a wide range of services for children, families, adults and older people, working in partnership with statutory, voluntary and community sector organisations to tackle inequalities and improve wellbeing across the borough.
The Sandwell Community Dementia Service (SCDS) provides a single, integrated pathway of information, advice, guidance, navigation and ongoing support for people living with dementia and their carers across Sandwell. The service ensures that individuals can access timely, person-centred support at every stage of their dementia journey, promoting independence, wellbeing and quality of life.
The Dementia Navigator plays a central, coordinating role within the SCDS and contributes to St Albans Community Association's wider mission of enabling people to remain connected, independent and active within their communities. As a key point of proactive contact, the post holder will conduct holistic assessments, coordinate care, deliver tailored interventions, and support step-down/exit strategies. The post holder will work within local communities alongside key sector partners to support crisis avoidance, promote self-management, and build a Dementia Friendly Sandwell.
Key Responsibilities for Dementia Navigator:
* Conduct comprehensive, person-centred assessments with service users to determine appropriate levels of support
* Support early diagnosis through the completion of relevant screening assessments
* Explore wider determinants of health, including social isolation, housing, carer stress, financial pressures, and environment
* Deliver support planning and future planning in co-production with individuals and carers, documenting personalised Support Plans that include Advance Care Plans and Carers' Emergency Plans tailored to their unique needs
* Build robust crisis avoidance and safety plans with families, ensuring individuals and carers are confident in using out-of-hours pathways, escalation routes, and emergency helplines
* Carry out home-based Safe and Well checks to identify environmental, safety, and physical wellbeing risks
* Act as a key link and consistent point of contact for individuals and carers throughout their support pathway
* Provide proactive case management for complex cases by coordinating care alongside multidisciplinary health and social care partners, while flexibly adjusting support levels to enable smooth transitions to ongoing community-based care
* Represent the service within local Multidisciplinary Teams (MDTs) and neighbourhood networks across Sandwell’s six towns
* Work in partnership with specialist leads to support complex transitions
* Build strong links with diverse voluntary and community sector partners to facilitate referrals into tailored, local provision
* Deliver dementia awareness and education sessions to individuals, local community groups, schools/ colleges, and partner agencies
* Promote the recruitment and support of local Dementia Champions and peer support initiatives across Sandwell’s diverse communities
* Actively engage with underrepresented groups to reduce stigma, overcome language/cultural barriers, and build trust in local support pathways
* Maintain accurate, up-to-date, real-time records on the shared case management system in compliance with GDPR
* Participate in regular case supervision, training, and operational reviews
* Undertake any other duties commensurate with the responsibilities and level of the post
Person Specification
Essential
1
Level 2 or Level 3 Qualification in Dementia Awareness (or equivalent health/ social care qualification)
2
Experience of working directly with vulnerable adults, individuals living with dementia, and their carers
3
Experience conducting holistic, person-centred assessments and co-producing tailored support plans
4
Proven track record of working collaboratively across health, social care, and voluntary sector pathways
5
Practical experience in managing safeguarding concerns, assessing risk, and coordinating crisis prevention
6
Understanding of dementia, its progression, and its practical and emotional impact on individuals, families, and carers
7
Strong organisational and case management skills, with the ability to manage dynamic caseloads and work flexibly across local bases
8
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with an empathetic, non-judgmental, and person-centred approach
9
Good organisational and IT skills (including CRM systems)
10
Valid UK driving license and access to a vehicle for business use (or equivalent mobility across the borough).
Desirable
1
Experience working within Sandwell’s health, social care, or VCFSE organisation
3
Experience delivering community awareness sessions, peer support groups, or dementia training
4
Ability to speak one or more additional languages (e.g., Punjabi, Urdu, Gujarati, or other languages spoken across Sandwell)
5
Clear understanding of health inequalities and cultural barriers, with a commitment to delivering culturally competent care across diverse local communities
Salary description
£14.70 - £14.70 per hour