Dementia Active Staff Interview

Warm-up Questions - examples   

      1. Can you tell us a little about yourself and your previous experience?
      2. Why are you interested in working with Dementia Active?
      3. What do you think makes a good staff member when supporting people  living with dementia?
      4. This role involves working as part of a team. Can you give an example of when you worked well with others?

Dementia Specific 

1. What made you interested in working with Dementia Active?
2. What are you hoping to gain or contribute through volunteering/ employment at Dementia Active?
3. What do you know about Dementia?
4. Do you know or have you been exposed to anyone with Dementia or have you worked with vulnerable individuals before?
5. What skills do you think are important when working with people with Dementia?
6. What would you do If one of our Members became upset or agitated during a session?

General

We are a small but mighty team and teamwork is at the foundation of what we do. Working together is very important to create the right environment for our members.

1. Give me an example of where you have worked as part of a team?
    
2. Reliability is very important. What would you do if you were running late or couldn’t attend a scheduled group session?
    
3. Working at a day centre includes activities like making tea and coffee, talking to people one on one and to groups, dancing, serving lunch, general tidy up and personal care. Are there any areas you would be unable/ uncomfortable helping with?
    

Transport

1. Do you drive and have access to your own vehicle?
    
2. Does your licence allow you to drive a minibus/van?
3. Do you have any experience driving a larger vehicle?
4. Collecting and transporting members includes collecting them from their home, aiding them into vehicles and into their homes, driving a minibus and cars.
5. Are there any areas you would be unable/ uncomfortable helping with? 

Session Assistant Questions

(Use these if the person will support activities and members during sessions).
1. What experience do you have supporting group activities or working with older adults?
2. How would you encourage a quieter member to join in without putting pressure on them?
3. What would you do if a member did not want to take part in an activity?
4. How would you support someone who needs help during a session but also wants to stay independent?
5. How would you help create a friendly and relaxed atmosphere?
6. What would you do if you noticed a member seemed unwell or unusually quiet?
7. How would you manage a situation where two members were becoming frustrated with each other?
8. How would you support the Group Leader during a busy session?
Practical scenario: A member becomes upset halfway through an activity and says they want to go home. What would you do?

Group Leader Questions

(Use these if the person will lead sessions, manage staff/volunteers, or take responsibility for the group).
1. What experience do you have leading groups, activities, or teams?
2. How would you plan a session that is enjoyable, safe, and inclusive?
3. How would you adapt an activity if members had different abilities or confidence levels?
4. How would you support staff or volunteers during a session?
5. What would you do if a session was not going to plan?
6. How would you manage risk during activities?
7. How would you deal with a safeguarding concern?
8. How would you communicate important information to families, carers, or the wider team?
9. How would you make sure every member feels included?
10. What records or notes do you think might be important after a session?
Practical scenario: You are leading a session and one member becomes very distressed while another member needs immediate assistance. What would you do?

Mixed Role Questions

(Use these for people who may work across transport, session assistant, and group leader duties).
1. This role may involve switching between transport, support, and leadership duties. How would you manage that?
2. How would you prioritise tasks if transport was running late but the session also needed support?
3. Are there any parts of the role you feel most confident in?
4. Are there any parts of the role where you would need more training or support?
5. How flexible are you with covering different responsibilities when needed?
6. How would you communicate clearly when handing over from transport to session staff?

Safeguarding

1. What would you do if a member said their partner had thrown a glass of water at them that morning, they are often angry and they are afraid of them?
2. What would you do if you noticed that someone’s personal appearance was changing over time.... Ie they looked more dishevelled, had stains on their clothing, didn’t appear to have washed?
3. What would you do if a member had said that they hadn't eaten that morning as they didn’t have any food in the house and they were really hungry?

Availability and Practical Questions

1. What days and times are you available?
2. Are you able to be flexible if sessions or transport needs change?
3. Do you have any holidays or commitments coming up?
4. For transport roles: do you have a valid driving licence?
5. For transport roles: are you comfortable driving larger vehicles or adapted vehicles, if required?
6. Are you willing to complete training such as safeguarding, dementia awareness, moving and handling, or first aid?