LD Therapies Assistant

Job description

Job responsibilities

To demonstrate excellent written and verbal communication skills.

To establish and maintain effective relationships with clients with complex learning, emotional and behavioural needs and their carers/parents, other professionals and agencies; to ensure a comprehensive and consistent approach to client care

To utilise varied communication techniques and resources to ensure that you are understood by and that you understand clients with communication difficulties eg non-verbal, hearing and visual impairments, cultural/language differences

.To form professional relationships with clients and their families and carers and communicate with them in a way that respects their views, autonomy and culture

To adjust communication methods in response to learners needs including the use of Alternative and Augmented Communication, (AAC), interpreters, Assistive Technology and talking mats

To provide and receive personal and confidential information of a sensitive nature relating to residents, service users and carers demonstrating empathy and reassurance.

To report effectively to the teams on clients performance/progress or regression.

To attend Multidisciplinary meetings, reviews and case conferences including adult and child protection meetings and report on client progress.

To liaise with other disciplines and agencies in health, social services, public, private and voluntary sectors on behalf of the service and to foster effective community relationships.

Under the supervision/direction of registered health care professionals, perform delegated interventions and care tasks, for which they have received training, seeking support as and when necessary.

To participate in risk management and the assessment of clinical risk.

To maintain a safe working environment in liaison with the PBS Project Team and Lead Clinical Psychologist in accordance with health and safety standards

The post requires the use of equipment and skills that necessitates training in specific handling and management techniques, Physical Intervention, Systematic Instruction

To demonstrably improve the quality of life for each client with learning disabilities through use of Positive Behaviour Support and other specialist and highly specialist approaches

To confidentially handle and liaise regarding sensitive issues and information with other services

1. To complete face-to-face appointments with clients, carers & families in the office or community as appropriate
2. To engage, deliver and evaluate specialist clinical interventions using technical & behavioural activities to promote independence and wellbeing that support the client to achieve agreed goals.
3. To monitor clients progress, taking account of their environment and adjust own clinical interventions accordingly using supervision as appropriate.
4. Contribute to formal assessments and provide feedback on clients occupational functioning
5. According to service needs, to be responsible for designated caseload under supervision
6. To work independently, facilitating group or individual work, with supervision of a registered therapist.
7. Exercise a degree of independence, initiative and judgement and consider different approaches when delivering tasks. Assess situations, eg following falls prevention guidance identify and resolve potential problems, within own competence

8. ensure the care experienced is positive and service user safety is maintained. Treat everyone eg, service users, their relatives, visitors, colleagues etc, with respect, dignity, courtesy and in accordance with the Trusts Values.

1. Feedback their observations to the registered professional/ clinical team to contribute to the care/treatment planning process. Understand the principles underlying care planning eg, enabling the service user to reach an optimum level of functioning/ independence/recovery.
2. implement treatment/care within well-established policies, procedures, protocols, guidelines and established clinical care plans within own competence and skill set.
3. Assisting in the organising and participating in a range of therapeutic groups and activities as delegated by the registered practitioner working within own competence and skill set.
4. Undertake the physical aspects of care eg, moving and handling of service users. Use items of equipment in delivering care eg, hoists, wheelchairs etc. (as appropriate to the role), ensuring appropriate instruction on their use has been received.

1. The post holder will work at part of the PBS & Physiotherapy Teams, along with the wider Psychology, Therapies and wider ILDS Teams and as such will be expected to contribute the day to day running and development of the service
2. The job holder will be responsible for managing their own workload and using their own initiative in meeting the needs of the client
3. The post holder will review their work & caseload with their own supervisor regularly to manage the risk and complexity of workload
4. Along with other staff you will be expected to keep up to date with current practice & guidance and contribute to changes to the service policies & processes
5. Along with other staff you may be required to work alongside other staff/ teams to complete projects or enable pathways

1. To participate in Psychology & Therapies teams along with ILDS Service audits and evaluation activities as agreed with your supervisor

2. To be part of or undertake research tasks as part of role or service development

1. Be required to concentrate for periods of time, depending upon the care intervention/care plan This may include areas of work requiring physical effort, with regard to risk, following the risk assessment and health & safety
2. To ensure that areas are well maintained and comply with health and safety guidelines, ensuring the safe use of equipment and storage of materials
3. Be responsible and accountable for clinical administration tasks and management of resources within the clinical area e.g. stock control, basic equipment cleaning, specific clinical tasks to support the smooth running of the services
4. All staff are responsible for the continual compliance with CQC standards and outcomes.
5. The postholder must be aware of, and work in line with, the Trusts Safeguarding Adults and Children procedures.

Many adults with learning disabilities present with communication, emotional, social and psychological difficulties and can also have complex physical and mental health needs, e.g. dementia, forensic mental health histories, psychosis, cerebral palsy and epilepsy. Whilst providing intervention in the community you will be responsible to plan and risk assess the individual and their circumstances to minimise risks. This is to ensure the safety and security of you, the client and the public, as clients may be vulnerable and present with behaviours that prevent them from safely accessing ordinary community facilities.

1. To exercise good personal time management, punctuality and consistent reliable attendance.

2. To demonstrate ongoing personal development through participation in internal and external development opportunities,

3. To respect the individuality, values, cultural and religious diversity of clients and contribute to the provision of a service sensitive to these needs.

All staff are required to be appraised by their line managers at least once a year at a personal development review meeting where progress made over the last year is discussed and agreed. Focus on the following years departmental and personal objectives will be identified, discussed and agreed. Where necessary, help and support will be provided and development opportunities agreed in line with service provision and the knowledge and skills competency framework.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Foundation Degree in Health and Social Care/Mental Health OR Apprenticeship in H&SC/Mental Health L5 OR equivalent qualification at L5 or above in a related subject
• Willingness to undertake set mandatory training and relevant communication training within 12 months of appointment

Desirable

• Person Centred Facilitator
• Valid First Aid Certificate
• PRYCE Certificate
• PBS training

Skills

Essential

• Ability to work independently in supportive and community settings
• Ability to use a range of IT systems including internet and Microsoft Office.
• Ability to assess and teach practical skills
• Ability to work as part of a team
• Ability to take responsibility and make decisions
• Ability to form professional relationships with clients, carers and staff
• Ability to instruct on the safe use of assistive devices/equipment

Desirable

• Ability to work safely and effectively with people who present with behaviours of concern
• Ability to use Talking Mats
• Ability to run a Person-Centred Review

Experience

Essential

• Paid employment in working with Adults with LD in an integrated health and adult social care team
• Knowledge of client-centred practice
• Understanding of risks involved in work both in community and clinical settings
• Experience of Working with People with Learning Disabilities - some of whom may have behaviour that challenges &/or Complex physical or mental health needs
• Demonstrates understanding of clinical needs of relevant client group
• Experience of PETAL project
• Knowledge of PBS planning & delivering

Desirable

• Experience of working with clients with communication needs
• Experience as a carer or support worker
• Experience of working with clients with autism, sensory or emotional and behavioural needs

Personal qualities

Essential

• Personal organisational and prioritisation skills
• Show insight to own abilities and needs
• Able to travel for work purposes (car/bike/public transport) to community visits

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).

Employer details

Employer name

North London NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Enfield Highway Carnegie Building

258A Hertford Road

Enfield

EN3 5BN

Employer's website

https://www.northlondonmentalhealth.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)