First Responder

Job description

Job responsibilities

Under the guidance and supervision of the Senior Support Worker (and from time to time other members of the service management team). Your role will be the first point of contact for new customers assessing their needs, compiling a support plan with the customers and attending to those needs around personal care, food preperation and daily living activities on the first few visits or as required. Specific duties and responsibilities include:

Work with the customer to draw up a support plan which will address their needs for care and support.

Work with customers to support them manage and maintain where possible their daily living skills, including washing, dressing, meal preparation, and personal care.

Safeguard the health, safety and wellbeing of customers as well as colleagues.

Take part in staff development programmes, assuming responsibility for own professional development i.e. undertake all mandatory training relevant to the service and part of the training pathway for the role e.g. Care Certificate.

Assist customers with the use of mobility aids and assistive equipment where required.

Assist customers with moving and positioning, adhering to health & safety requirements as well as organisational policy and procedures.

Contribute to daily communications, accurate record keeping, recording actions, interventions and incidents in customers records.

Participate in regular team meetings and customer review meetings.

Ensure compliance with the Data Protection Act and maintain customer confidentiality and security of information at all times.

Communicate effectively with the immediate team and other health and social care professionals as appropriate.

Participate in own supervisions, appraisals and objective setting.

Assist the team with general duties if required e.g. office filing, answering telephone calls etc.

Work as part of the team, offering a flexible approach to staff rostering.

Abide by the principles and practice set out in the staff handbook.

Specific requirements for this post:

To work shifts to meet the needs of the service including early morning, evenings, weekends and bank holidays. An unsocial hours payment for unsocial hours working will be paid where appropriate.

To undertake travel across the Wiltshire area to carry out customer visits.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

• Previous relevant and practical experience.
• A thorough understanding of relevant procedures and working practices.
• Good knowledge of specialist function relevant to service area.
• Excellent ICT skills including use of Microsoft applications and specialist systems.
• Practical knowledge of a range of procedures and specialist medical / equipment to support
• clients.
• Good knowledge of Wiltshire Council professional groups and external agencies as relevant to
• the role.
• Ability to build and maintain constructive working relationships with a range of people.
• Sensitivity and empathy to build trusting and supportive relationships with clients and families.
• Care skills and basic knowledge of mobility, nutrition and financial issues in order to provide
• practical, emotional support to clients and families.
• Proven ability to follow routines, carry out set care plans, record and monitor changes in client
• condition.
• Ability to manage challenging behaviour in clients.
• Good literacy and numeracy.
• Proven ability to communicate one to one and in small groups with relevant client group.

Qualifications

Essential

• Care Certificate or equivalent skills and experience with willingness to undertake the required
• training
• Apprenticeship Level 2 in Social Care or equivalent experience
• General level of education to GCSE A*-C or equivalent skills and experience
• Previous experience of providing care and support to the elderly and/or people with a learning
• disability
• Knowledge of safeguarding
• Knowledge of regulations relevant to community care
• Empathy with the elderly and/or people with a disability and an understanding of their needs
• Ability to work alone and as part of a team
• Ability to prioritise and organise own workload
• A pleasant and helpful manner
• Effective communication both written and oral

Desirable

• Previous experience of providing care and support to the elderly and/or people with a learning
• disability
• Knowledge of safeguarding
• Knowledge of regulations relevant to community care

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

Wiltshire Council

Monkton Park

Chippenham

Wiltshire

SN15 1ER

Employer's website

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