Job summary
Ashdown Ward are looking to recruit a motivated and enthusiastic activity Support Worker to provide a range of activities to service users.
As a new member of our team, you will be guided through a full induction, training and supervision to help settle you into the role and support you throughout.
Main duties of the job
Ashdown ward is a six bedded male PICU ward. The post holder will be expected to provide a range of activities to suite the changing need of our busy inpatient environment. They must be forward thinking and flexible to meet the needs of the service.
Activity Support Workers work as part of an inpatient care team to help deliver evidence-based interventions to service users with mental health problems and/or learning disabilities. They have a particular focus on meaningful activity and therapeutic engagement. In this role, you will coordinate and administrate the ward's program of interpersonal engagement by focusing on structured, meaningful activity.
About us
We are AWP (Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust): a diverse organisation with over 5,000 dedicated staff providing inpatient and community-based mental health care.
We provide services from a range of locations to approximately 1.8 million people living in Bath and North East Somerset (B&NES), Bristol, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire, Swindon, across the county of Wiltshire and in parts of Dorset.
Our outstanding people promote mental health and wellbeing. The expertise and resources within AWP are dedicated to a person-centred approach for those who use our services and for all employees. We recognise that happy and fulfilled employees give better care.
At AWP we actively encourage applicants from all backgrounds; we are particularly keen to encourage applications from people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, those with disabilities and from the LGBTQ+ community. We want people to bring their unique blend of experiences, backgrounds, perspectives and knowledge to AWP, as diversity makes us stronger.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Clinical Practice
- The post holder will provide Vocational, Educational and Recreational activities for the service users in the unit and via community access.
- Organization of activities for all service users to develop and maintain new skills.
- To provide in-house activities for other care staff to use with service users, i.e. puzzles, football, board games etc.
- To organize trips out for the service users.
- As a member of the support team, help to create a safe, educational and therapeutic environment based on the needs of the individuals and ensuring that their rights, dignity and personal privacy are maintained at all times.
- Follow written care plans and guidelines, working closely with the service users to promote greater independence.
- Monitor the general health of the service users reporting any changes in physical or mental condition.
- To encourage and assist the service users to participate in a wide range of activities using local facilities wherever possible, thus developing positive contacts with the local community.
Education & Health Promotion
- To keep up to date with changing practices and attend relevant training appropriate to the role as directed. Promote positive attitudes towards mental health. This will include:
- a) Attend regular statutory training and updates.
- b) Participate in appraisal and supervision processes from identified Senior practitioner.
- c) Contribute to the learning environment of staff undergoing training and new team members as directed.
- d) Maintain Health and Safety in accordance with the Health and Safety at Work Act (1974).
- e) Work to the Clinical, Personnel and other Policies and Procedures of AWP Trust.
Finance and Workforce
- To play a role in making best use of available workforce resources based on agreed staffing models and contributing to provision of best care possible.
- Follow Trust and Service Policies relating to the security of the building/clients, to ensure safe practice and protection of clients, staff, visitors and members of the general public.
- Play a part in the service provision that is both safe and therapeutic within span of knowledge.
- Supervise the work of Band 2 HCAs and others, as appropriate.
- Contribute to the development of other support staff.
- Effective time management
Record Keeping and Administration
- To maintain standards of record keeping and associated administration in accordance with AWP Trust Policy and local joint arrangements and professional guidelines. This will include:
- The upkeep of contemporaneous, chronological and accurate mental health records in accordance with relevant NMC Guidelines and Trust Policy.
- Work under the direction of Essence of Care lead.
- Contribute to the achievement of Controls Assurance Standards relating to Records Management within their span of control.
Practice Development & Clinical Audit
- To participate with support of registered nurse to clinical audit and comply with activity as outlined in The Essence of Care.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Clinical Practice
- The post holder will provide Vocational, Educational and Recreational activities for the service users in the unit and via community access.
- Organization of activities for all service users to develop and maintain new skills.
- To provide in-house activities for other care staff to use with service users, i.e. puzzles, football, board games etc.
- To organize trips out for the service users.
- As a member of the support team, help to create a safe, educational and therapeutic environment based on the needs of the individuals and ensuring that their rights, dignity and personal privacy are maintained at all times.
- Follow written care plans and guidelines, working closely with the service users to promote greater independence.
- Monitor the general health of the service users reporting any changes in physical or mental condition.
- To encourage and assist the service users to participate in a wide range of activities using local facilities wherever possible, thus developing positive contacts with the local community.
Education & Health Promotion
- To keep up to date with changing practices and attend relevant training appropriate to the role as directed. Promote positive attitudes towards mental health. This will include:
- a) Attend regular statutory training and updates.
- b) Participate in appraisal and supervision processes from identified Senior practitioner.
- c) Contribute to the learning environment of staff undergoing training and new team members as directed.
- d) Maintain Health and Safety in accordance with the Health and Safety at Work Act (1974).
- e) Work to the Clinical, Personnel and other Policies and Procedures of AWP Trust.
Finance and Workforce
- To play a role in making best use of available workforce resources based on agreed staffing models and contributing to provision of best care possible.
- Follow Trust and Service Policies relating to the security of the building/clients, to ensure safe practice and protection of clients, staff, visitors and members of the general public.
- Play a part in the service provision that is both safe and therapeutic within span of knowledge.
- Supervise the work of Band 2 HCAs and others, as appropriate.
- Contribute to the development of other support staff.
- Effective time management
Record Keeping and Administration
- To maintain standards of record keeping and associated administration in accordance with AWP Trust Policy and local joint arrangements and professional guidelines. This will include:
- The upkeep of contemporaneous, chronological and accurate mental health records in accordance with relevant NMC Guidelines and Trust Policy.
- Work under the direction of Essence of Care lead.
- Contribute to the achievement of Controls Assurance Standards relating to Records Management within their span of control.
Practice Development & Clinical Audit
- To participate with support of registered nurse to clinical audit and comply with activity as outlined in The Essence of Care.
Person Specification
Skills
Essential
- Previous experience of working with people who have acute mental health problems
- Good organisational skills and time management ability
- Ability to take direction and to follow detailed policies and protocols
- NVQ level 3 in care or substantial equivalent experience gained in a role supporting people
Desirable
- Previous experience of providing activities to service users with acute mental health problems.
Person Specification
Skills
Essential
- Previous experience of working with people who have acute mental health problems
- Good organisational skills and time management ability
- Ability to take direction and to follow detailed policies and protocols
- NVQ level 3 in care or substantial equivalent experience gained in a role supporting people
Desirable
- Previous experience of providing activities to service users with acute mental health problems.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
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