Support Worker

Job description

Job responsibilities

Specific duties and responsibilities include:

Work in a person-centred way with customers and promote their wellbeing, choices, dignity and independence. This will be achieved through the key-worker system.

Planning activities for and with customers, taking into account differing needs, wishes and preferences.

Creation of menus taking into account medical conditions, wishes, preferences, diets, etc.

Support customers either living in their own home, or whilst visiting the settings.

Where appropriate, support customers to understand and maintain their tenancies, or licence agreements.

Support customers moving into or out of the property; to be involved in the planning, preparation and execution of the move, or stay at short break services.

Encourage and support customers in their personal, social (including religious), and leisure and work activities.

Support customers maintain and develop relationships.

When required undertake sleeping-in duties or waking night duties on the premises.

Act as a link person between the customer and work, college or leisure establishments and advising those establishments as necessary on the requirements or needs of the customer.

Provide emotional and practical support for customers with everyday issues or when customers are faced with more difficult decisions or experiences.

Assist/support customers with all aspects of their financial and home management so that financial commitments (paying bills, shopping, benefit claims, etc) are met.

Assist customers with household tasks.

Where required, assist customers in administering their own medicine, or administer medication to customers if this is required.

Seek advice and guidance from Senior support workers and the Team Leader.

Only in exceptional circumstances will the postholder will be responsible for running shifts and should normally have access to more senior staff members whilst on shift.

Focus on the individual, their strengths, choices, assets and goals through person centred planning.

Communication with colleagues and others:

Advise the Senior support worker or the Team Leader of any significant risk to a customer as soon as reasonably practical.

Maintain regular informal and formal communication links with other colleagues to ensure a smooth hand-over at the start and end of a shift.

Where customers are living with a high degree of independence, the post holder should maintain regular telephone contact with them, as per guidelines and/or risk assessments in place.

Engage in regular supervision sessions with either the Senior support worker or Team Leader.

In the event of a serious incident or accident, contact appropriate outside agencies, such as GP, hospital, fire brigade or police, as well as your immediate line manager (or out of hours On-Call Manager).

Administration:

Accurately complete all records required in accordance with Wiltshire Council policies and procedures.

Undertake learning opportunities relevant to the service the post holder works within.

The post holder may be required to travel between the settings and other locations.

Maintain the confidentiality of all information concerning customers.

Undertake any such other duties as are required and are appropriate to the job.

This post will involve unsocial and weekend working, as well as sleep-in duties.

Have a flexible approach and work within a varied rota including on call, evenings, weekends and sleeping-in, and waking nights duties, as responsibilities and customers needs may change.

Specific requirements:

Flexibility is required in order to provide a responsive service to emergency situations, ensuring the safety and well-being of those at the home, which may involve working outside core hours.

The postholder will need to be flexible in terms of work locations, dividing time between respite and day settings as required.

Have a flexible approach and work within a varied rota including on call, evenings, weekends, sleeping-in and waking night duties. The postholder will need to be able to remain awake and alert whilst undertaking waking nights duties.

The postholder will need to be physically fit to perform all aspects of the role.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• General Education to GCSE A*-C or equivalent skills and experience.
• Current knowledge of relevant legislation and guidance in relation to working with, and the safeguarding of, vulnerable adults.
• Willingness to undertake L2 Diploma in Health & Social Care (Adults).

Desirable

• L2 Diploma in Health & Social Care (Adults) or equivalent.
• Knowledge of First Aid and experience of applying it.

Experience

Essential

• Proven ability to use a variety of communication methods effectively.
• Physically fit and able to perform all requirements of the job role.
• Previous experience of building good working relationships and team working.
• Proven ability of being able to remain calm and make decisions in difficult situations.
• Fluent in English.

Desirable

• Awareness of health and safety requirements and able to perform moving & handling safely.
• Knowledge of the principles of Food Hygiene.
• Knowledge of the Person-centred approach.
• Good IT skills.
• Experience of supporting people on a one-to-one basis.
• Driver.

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.

Employer details

Employer name

Wiltshire Council

Address

Nursteed Centre

Nursteed Road

Devizes

Wiltshire

SN10 3AF

Employer's website

http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)