Community Care & Support Advisor

Are you the bridge-builder who helps people to participate independently and fully in our society? At Together055 We believe that everyone is entitled to a solid foundation. As a neighbourhood care and support adviser, you are the one who helps residents find their way, strengthen their support network and create solutions that really work. You make a difference – day in, day out. 

Working for Samen055
Since January 2024, we have been working with five neighbourhood teams within Samen055. Each neighbourhood team consists of professionals with five different specialisms: Livelihood Security, Care & Support, Parenting & Growing Up, Individual Support and Intensive Coordination. As a Care & Support neighbourhood consultant, you’ll play a coordinating role and work actively to increase residents’ self-reliance.

Here’s what you’ll be doing
The Netherlands aims to enable people to continue living at home for as long as possible. This requires a tailored approach, making the most of residents’ social networks and their own strengths to enhance their independence. As a neighbourhood care and support adviser, you will carry out a comprehensive assessment of the resident’s capabilities and limitations, as well as their environment. You are able to identify, from multiple perspectives, appropriate services or support that focus on enhancing the resident’s independence and social network. You know how to deploy (tailored) services effectively. You focus on what will genuinely help the resident move forward. The resident’s needs are central; legislation and regulations provide the framework for this, but are not the starting point.

You take a broader view than just the Wmo; you have an understanding of all relevant areas of life and the situation in which the resident and their household find themselves (for example, financial security). You have sufficient knowledge and experience of working with different target groups (e.g. people with acquired brain injury, autism, mental health conditions or intellectual disabilities) and can easily liaise with them, their support network or the professionals involved.

In practical terms, this means that you:

• Conducts interviews in residents’ homes;
• Identifies requests for assistance;
• Focus on the resident’s own strengths, their support network and the support staff;
• Assesses whether Wmo services may be granted or whether assistance can be provided in another way;
• Residents are referred to services within the local authority or to the local authority’s partners.

As a community care and support adviser, you will be responsible for:

• Thoroughly exploring and clarifying residents’ requests for assistance
• Providing information and advice (promotion and prevention)
• Drawing up a comprehensive plan
• Identifying, coordinating and evaluating
• Managing a caseload, coordinating and evaluating
• Where necessary, assessing the need for bespoke support measures

What are you bringing with you?

• You are people-oriented and able to reflect on your own attitude and behaviour
• You have completed a higher professional education (HBO) degree
• It is an advantage if you are familiar with the social services in Apeldoorn or can quickly familiarise yourself with them 
• You have the necessary knowledge of legislation and regulations relating to the Wmo, the social security system and other financial assistance schemes 
• You have proven experience in conducting interviews and are able to analyse a situation quickly
• You have the ability to think critically and do not shy away from engaging with residents, even when this may be challenging or confrontational.
• You are not afraid to set boundaries and say “no” when something is not possible or appropriate, and you can explain this clearly and in a way that is easy to understand.
• You know how to manage expectations realistically and can guide residents when a solution they would like to see does not prove feasible.
• You remain empathetic and professional, even in situations where emotions or resistance come into play.
• You have several years’ relevant work experience in the social sector
• You must be available on Tuesdays and Fridays, at the very least.

Here’s what we offer you

• A great team with a diverse group of colleagues. This means we complement each other well. As well as working hard, it certainly makes for a friendly atmosphere;
• Employment for 36 hours a week, (32 hours is negotiable) initially for a period of one year;
• A salary of at least €3,246 gross per month (entry-level scale 8) and up to €5,096 (functional scale 9) for a 36-hour working week. The actual salary depends on your experience and qualifications;
• An Individual Choice Budget (IKB) of 17,45% on top of your salary. You can use this, for example, for:
• Extra income by having it paid out. 
• Buying extra holiday hours
• A good work-life balance, with the option to save up leave and flexible working hours
• A focus on the opportunities we offer as an employer in the areas of learning and development, both in terms of professional skills and career progression;
• 201.6 holiday hours for a full-time position (36 hours);
• An attractive pension scheme;
• Can you work (partly) from home in your role? If so, you will receive a home-working allowance;
• Do you travel to work by public transport? If so, you’ll be fully reimbursed. Do you travel by car, bike or on foot? If so, you’ll receive an allowance for this.

Interested?
Interested? You can apply until 17 August. Interviews are scheduled for 7 September.

Any questions?
Do you have any questions about the vacancy? If so, please contact Robert de Vries, neighbourhood team manager for the East location, on 06 41 12 31 88 or send an email to Robert.devries@apeldoorn.nl  If you would like to get in touch with a neighbourhood care and support adviser, please contact Jord van Dijk, jord.vandijk@apeldoorn.nl 

Everyone’s taking part
Apeldoorn City Council is an inclusive organisation. We firmly believe that a diverse organisation enables us to be better prepared for developments in society. As well as your talents and qualities, you also bring your background and preferences with you. You’re welcome here!