Age UK Bath & North East Somerset • BA3 2RA

Social Group Lead

About this role

As Social Group Lead you will plan and run high‑quality Social Groups that are stimulating, welcoming, and safe. You will work within and actively contribute to the programme’s Groups Quality Framework to ensure consistently excellent experiences for participants and carers across B&NES. You will incorporate appropriate elements of Maintenance Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (MCST) principle to maximize wellbeing and participation.

Key Responsibilities

  • Lead group delivery end‑to‑end: design engaging sessions; facilitate inclusive participation; ensure safe, welcoming environments that reflect individual group identities while meeting shared quality standards set out in the Groups Quality Framework.
  • Apply MCST principles appropriately
  • Line‑manage and support Group Assistants and volunteers, including training, regular supervision and appraisals; model our values and positive team culture.

Recruit and induct participants

respond to referrals, conduct home visits and assessments, support induction and ongoing engagement, and manage onward referral/exit where appropriate.

Safeguard and manage risk

ensure compliance with safeguarding, health & safety, data protection and other procedures; maintain clear professional boundaries.

Operate reliable processes

maintain accurate participant records (including family/carer contacts); collect and submit monitoring data, feedback and case studies to time and quality.

Coordinate logistics

organise cover for holidays/sickness; liaise with transport providers; flex delivery where needed (e.g., phone/video contact during disruptions).

Collaborate and improve

work with colleagues and partners to develop group content and contribute to continuous improvement cycles outlined in the Groups Quality Framework.

  • Uphold organisational values and engage with supervision, team meetings and occasional out‑of‑hours events.

Key Tasks

Running of Day Centre

  • Work to the operating instructions set out in the Age UK Bath & North East Somerset Day Club Handbook

Duties to include

o provide activities, gentle exercise and talks for service users

o being responsible for the management of the Day Club staff and volunteers;

o being responsible for health and safety in the Day Club and compliance by all staff and volunteers;

o receive referrals and undertake home visits to assess potential service users;

o liaison with family, carers and statutory services as appropriate;

o maintain service user records and ensure completion of administration procedures including banking

o liaise with the drivers and Transport Co-ordinator ensure sufficient & appropriate transport is available for service users

Staff & Volunteer Supervision

  • Undertake line management responsibilities for staff and volunteer supervision and appraisals
  • In particular, ensuring compliance with the organisation’s lone working, equal opportunities, health & safety and safeguarding vulnerable adults policies and procedures.

Working with other Age UK Staff

  • Liaise with other Age UK staff in relation to service user needs, and to develop awareness of all services available.

Monitoring

  • Maintain client records
  • Provide the Chief Executive or other staff with the necessary statistics and progress information for monitoring, etc. reports, by the required deadlines.

E.

Standard Clauses

Equal Opportunities

The postholder will be expected to adhere to the organisation’s Equal Opportunities Policy in all aspects of their work.

Confidentiality

The postholder will be expected to adhere to the organisation’s Confidentiality Policy at all times.

Health & Safety at Work

The postholder will be required to abide by the organisation’s

Health & Safety Policy and the requirements of the Health and Safety at Work Act.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

Confirmation of appointment to this post will be subject to a satisfactory DBS check.

Person Specification

The following criteria will be assessed from information provided on your completed application form &/or at interview &/or by your referee:

Criteria

Essential/Desirable

Education & Training

Good standard of education

Qualifications at higher education level or equivalent

A qualification in Social Care would be an advantage

First Aid

Manual Handling

Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults

Experience

Working directly with older people

Providing services for older people

Working with a person-centred approach

Knowledge and understanding of Health & Safety issues and of risk assessment Leading a day centre or similar service

Devising and implementing appropriate activity programmes for older people

Staff and/or volunteer supervision

Skills

Ability to develop positive relationships with a variety of people including service users, family/carers, and professionals, and to deal sympathetically and sensitively with a wide range of people

An interest in, and awareness of, the needs of older people

Enthusiasm and confidence

Strong communication skills

Numerate

Motivation skills

Understanding of food Hygiene/Handling certificate

Other job-related requirements

Able to work outside normal working hours when necessary on occasion.

Able to drive within the Bath area & other Centres within B&NES.

Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme

Disability Confident

About Disability Confident

A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to Disability Confident.