Job Description
Job Title:
Village Agent
Salary Grade:
£4290, £15K FTE
Hours:
10 hours per week - flexible
Location:
Based within identified localities (see person specification)
Supervised by:
Community Development Co-ordinator (CURO)
Background
The West of England Rural Network (WERN) is a charity established to provide an
expert resource for rural communities in South Gloucestershire, Bath & North East
Somerset, North Somerset & Bristol.
We support and work with communities, businesses, social enterprises, organisations
and individuals on a wide range of topics that impact on rural areas. We work with
local authorities, other statutory services, the West of England Local Enterprise
Partnership and central government departments to influence policy and to ensure that
the impact on rural communities are always considered.
Community Connect
In North Somerset we are working in partnership with Curo to deliver the Community
Connect, a service for people over 50 living in North Somerset who would like
information, advice or guidance to help them stay living independently. Area teams
include a Community Development Coordinator and Wellbeing Coordinator, both
employed by Curo, covering mostly urban areas and one or more Village Agents,
employed by WERN, dedicated to rural villages.
Job Purpose
The post of Village Agent delivers support and signposting to isolated and vulnerable
individuals in the rural parts of North Somerset. The post holder will need to be able to
demonstrate a commitment to the needs of people living in rural areas, and particularly
the needs of older people. The role involves working with clients on a one to one basis
and as such the role is subject to a DBS check.
West of England Rural Network, The Mill, Tunbridge Road, Chew Magna, Bristol BS40 8SP
T: 01275 333 701
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W: wern.org.uk
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E: [email protected]
Registered Charity No 1146165.
Company Limited by Guarantee Registered in England Company No 7956732.
Registered Office as above
Working with ACRE in South Gloucestershire,
Bath & North East Somerset, North Somerset and Bristol
Page 2
Main Responsibilities:
1. Work within your designated parishes in both a reactive and proactive way.
2. Respond to the issues and needs identified and provide accurate information.
3. Refer cases as appropriate to relevant agencies and service providers
4. Engage with customers in a friendly and courteous manner.
5. Understand and respond to the particular needs of a wide range of people, including
those unable to access services directly.
6. Develop effective working relationships with all partners and stakeholders including
Parish Councils, relevant WERN staff, Curo staff and fellow Village Agents
7. Work as part of a team, contributing to meetings, attending relevant training,
cascading information and providing ongoing support and information to managers to
enable the smooth running of the project
8. Accurately maintain (mostly electronic) client records, and ensure compliance with
the Data Protection Act.
9. Promote the Village Agent and wider Community Connect service.
10. Adhere to all health and safety requirements both in the home and in the
community.
Other responsibilities
1. To take responsibility for your own time management and administration
2. Report regularly to the CURO Community Development Co-ordinator
3. Attend relevant Community Connect and Village Agent progress meetings and
training
4. Make necessary links to local services and stakeholders
WERN is committed to equal opportunities and the post holder is expected to be
familiar with the Equal Opportunities Policy and to complete his or her duties in a
manner consistent with this policy.
This job description does not form part of the contract of employment but indicates how
the contract should be performed. The job description will be subject to review and
amendment in the light of experience and in consultation with the post as part of the
annual appraisal process. The responsibilities attached to the post may vary from time to
time without changing the general character of the duties or the level of responsibility
entailed. Such variations are a common occurrence and would not in themselves justify
the re-evaluation of a post. In cases, however, where a permanent and substantial
change in the duties of the post occurs, consistent with a higher level of responsibility,
then the post would be eligible for re-evaluation.
Prepared November 2016
Page 3
Village Agent - Person Specification
Relevant
Experience
Skills &
Aptitudes
Essential
Desirable
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Experience in providing information to
members of the public and
professionals using telephone and
active listening techniques.
Experience of rural issues

Ability to communicate with a wide
variety of people both verbally and in
writing.
Excellent planning, organisational and
administration skills
Articulate, well organised and
enthusiastic
Good general standard of education
numerate and literate. GCSE or
equivalent in English and maths.
Computer literacy, including use of
internet, email, Word documents and
Excel spreadsheets
Excellent communication skills by
telephone and face to face
Non-judgemental
Thorough and attentive to detail
Patience and understanding
Positive outlook
Problem solver, pragmatic and resilient
Able to maintain confidentiality
Willingness to participate in training
and acquire new skills
The ability to work in a team and
network with partners.
Confidence to work on your own
The motivation to manage your own
workload and identify priorities.
Ability to work on own initiative and as
part of a team
Excellent written, verbal and
administration skills.
Full current driving licence and access
to a car
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Education/
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Training
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Personal
attributes
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Special
Requirements
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Working with people who may
be confused or distressed.
Working with older people
Community engagement in rural
areas
Ability to work independently
and as part of the WERN/Curo
team.
The ability to make a
presentation to members of the
public
Lives in the one of the parishes
relevant for the post applied for
Understanding of rural issues.
Geographic knowledge of the
cluster area
The initiative to develop the
role.
Car owner and willingness to
drive in connection with the job
during office hours.
Ability to work from home
(including access to broadband)
Parishes covered by this post:
The North Somerset villages and surrounding rural areas of Banwell, Bleadon, Hutton,
Uphill, Locking, Loxton and Winscombe.