(Registered Charity No. 210339)

Job Description

Job Title:                       Scheme Warden  (2 posts)

Qualification:               NVQ Level II in Social Care or related field

Hours of work:             22.5 hours per week

Salary:                           £16380 p.a.

Pension:                        Pension plan available

Training:                       Provided as required

Duration:                      This is a permanent post, subject to the successful completion of a six month probationary period.

Responsible to:          The Clerk.

General

The Dartford Almshouse Charity (DAC) is a registered charity and a Registered Social Landlord. The Charity provides housing accommodation for elderly people on two sites, at Loam Court and Gartly Cottages in Dartford. 

There are currently a total of 36 units of accommodation comprising of one and two-person cottages, bungalows or flats.  Residents are encouraged to live independently but, in addition to the post of Warden, are provided with the support services of a part-time Clerk, based at Loam Court, and out of hours emergency alarm call system.

Function of Post

The post is based at 1 Loam Court, Meadowside, Dartford, DA1 2RY.

The Warden is central to the work of the Charity. The Warden is expected to make regular contact with residents to ensure the effective and efficient delivery of services, which support the welfare of the residents and good management of the Charity. The Warden will report to the Clerk in the first instance and ultimately to the Board of Trustees.

The post is ‘non-resident’ but the post-holder is required to live within a reasonable distance of Dartford.  A full clean driving licence and access to a car for work-related travel is essential and an allowance will be paid for the work-related mileage.

The post holder will be required to be ‘on-call’ (mobile phone will be provided) out of hours and to attend with personal emergencies from residents, by answering emergency calls from residents and, where appropriate, contacting medical help and relatives / friends.  From time-to-time this will result in the Warden working additional hours, for which time off in-lieu can be taken, following approval of the Clerk.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Welfare of Residents

  • Act as primary point of contact for residents. Recognise, respect and safeguard the individuality and rights of residents and respect confidences.
  • Organise the reception, introduction and integration of new residents.
  • Understand and help operate any rules and regulations applying to residents (which will be explained to the Warden by the Clerk and/or Trustees on appointment).
  • Make regular daily contact, or as often as practical to do so (when on duty) with residents, to ensure their safety and well-being, unless specifically requested not to do so.  For legal reasons it is advisable for such a request to be recorded in writhing.  Some residents will need to be seen more often during certain periods, (e.g. due to ill health) and it is important that the reason for more frequent or prolonged visits is understood by other residents, to avoid accusations of favouritism.  Residents should also be encouraged to help each other as ‘good neighbours’ wherever possible.
  • Encourage the involvement of friends and relatives of the residents.
  • Monitor the health of individual residents, to recognise signs of need and to suggest they contact GP or appropriate help, as necessary.
  • Deal with personal emergencies from residents, by answering emergency calls from residents and, where appropriate, contacting medical help and relatives / friends.  Give first aid and general assistance until expert help arrives.  Respond to all emergencies notified by the Control Centre.  From time-to-time this will result in the Warden working additional hours, for which time off in-lieu can be taken, following approval of the Clerk.
  • Provide personal care as and when it may be required.
  • Beware of and comply with Trustees’ policies and procedures, in particular policies relating to, Fire Regulations; Health and Safety; personal care or hygiene of residents; and security of the two sites.  The Warden must also ensure that residents are advised about appropriate action to take in regard to these (such as action to take in regard to Fire Safety and Security of the sites). The Warden will be expected to be a competent First Aider and undergo necessary training.
  • Liaise with the Clerk, and Trustees, on the procedure for the care and re-housing of residents immediately following a major incident, such as, a fire; flood; or similar emergency, which might result in making their homes temporarily uninhabitable.
  • The Warden should give extra support to a sick resident in an emergency until other arrangements are made, e.g. collecting prescriptions, shopping.  The Warden should notify the clerk when a resident is admitted to hospital.
  • Encourage residents to take part in the social life of the housing schemes and social activities outside the schemes.
  • Help to resolve disputes and any problems that may arise between residents.
  • Along with the Clerk to visit potential residents at their current address prior to them being invited for interview.

Service Delivery and Liaison

  • With the assistance of the Clerk, keep a confidential record of residents next of kin, other relatives and friends, who should be notified in the case of sudden illness, or who could be called to help. (This record must be kept confidentially).
  • Develop links with local Health Care and Social Services staff.  The Warden should take the opportunity to inform visitors from Social Services, Health Services etc. about the Charity, and its management, and also be aware about the visitor’s work.  Building relationships in this way will increase the efficiency required to support individual residents in independently living.
  • Maintain a current list of names, addresses and telephone numbers of GPs and other helpful agencies, such as Social Services, chiropodists, dentists and opticians and act as a facilitator to assist residents to access these services.
  • The Warden must keep a confidential record of:

(i)           All emergency calls (from Central Control)

(ii)          Contractors to call in emergencies and those used for minor repairs; and

(iii)         Must also record and keep details of all Accidents and Incidents in the Accident Book.

  • Note any defects or faults around the two sites and report these to the Clerk or one of the Trustees for attention.
  • The Warden is authorised to contact a plumber, electrician etc., as required for emergencies.
  • Liaise with and make regular reports to the Trustee meetings.
  • Undertake any other duties appropriate to the smooth delivery of services to the Charity’s residents and to the welfare of the relevant staff.
  • This job description is provided to assist the post-holder to know the main areas of responsibility.  These may be changed from time-to-time without change to the level of responsibility appropriate to the grade of the post.

How to apply

Please send a CV and personal statement as to why you are suitable for the role of Clerk to the Trustees to:

Email:  clerktodac@tascali.co.uk   cc. Stephenw.305@gmail.com

Or by post to:

The Dartford Almshouse Charity

1 Loam Court, Meadowside

Dartford,

DA1 2RY

Closing date:  14.08.2026