Date as Postmarked Reference: 9796 Support Worker Leeds Service for the provision of support for people with learning disabilities, complex needs and autism Thank you for your interest in the above post, please find the specific role requirements and duties for this post detailed within this document. When completing the application form you may submit additional documentation however we cannot accept a CV as a completed application. Please note the following: Once you have submitted or posted your application form allow 10 working days after the closing date for a response. As we do not notify applicants of an unsuccessful application, if no response has been received within this time, please accept this as confirmation that your application has been unsuccessful. Unsuccessful applicants must wait 6 months before applying for a vacancy at Creative Support. Please return the completed application form to Creative Support in the enclosed Freepost envelope or to Recruitment, 5 th Floor, Head Office, 35 Dale Street, Manchester, M1 2HF. Due to our charitable organisational status all application forms submitted without use of the Freepost envelope must be done so using the correct postage amount. Creative Support cannot accept receipt of forms which carry a surcharge due to incorrect postage amounts. Closing Date : 02 March 2015 Group Interview Date: 11 March 2015 at 3.00pm Individual Interview Date: 13 March 2015 Yours faithfully Recruitment Department Encs: Application Form Philosophy Statement Additional Information Finalised: 4 February 2015 Finalised by: C.Catterall All candidates are subjected to enhanced DBS checks Page 1 of 10
JOB DESCRIPTION SUPPORT WORKER Leeds Service for the support for people with learning disabilities, complex needs and autism Hours: Full or Part Time hours (up to 37.5 hrs across site), to be worked flexibly to include early, evening shifts and weekends, inclusive of sleep in duties according to the needs of the service. Responsible to: Registered Manager and other senior colleagues The Role: To provide individualised person centred support for a young gentleman in his early 20 s with severe learning disabilities, complex needs and Chromosome 18 disorder. To enable him to enjoy a fulfilling and valued life, to participate in the community and develop his abilities as fully as possible. There may be requirement to work across site to support people with learning disabilities, complex needs and autism enabling them to enjoy a fulfilling and valued life, to participate in the community and to develop their abilities as fully as possible. Main Duties 1. To develop and sustain warm and trusting relationships with service users. 2. To promote the self-esteem, happiness and emotional health of service users. 3. To offer unconditional positive regard to service users, to respect right to privacy and to ensure that their dignity is maintained at all times. 4. To encourage and support service users to express their needs, views and concerns. To enable service users make choices and decisions and to participate as fully as possible in planning and decision-making processes. To enable people to contribute actively to decisions regarding their own care, support and activities through verbal and non-verbal communication methods which are tailored to their individual needs 5. To respect and promote the rights and entitlements of people learning disabilities, complex needs and autism and to enable them to participate as fully as possible in their communities and to maintain community connections. 6. To carry out the role of key worker and to enable service users to achieve their goals and dreams by working alongside them to develop and implement within their person centred plans. To be responsive to changing needs and preferences. 7. To support service users in maintaining the safety, security, cleanliness and comfort of their homes. To support service users in understanding and adhering to the terms and conditions of their tenancy agreement and in enjoying the rights and responsibilities of being a tenant. 8. To enable service users to become as independent as possible and to grow in confidence, competence and personal effectiveness in the following areas: Page 2 of 10 Social skills/relationships
Personal care & hygiene Daily living skills Managing money Using community resources and facilities Social, leisure and work activities Self organisation and coping abilities Personal safety To achieve this through the provision of practical assistance, support, therapeutic recreation and education sessions, teaching, advice, role modelling, encouragement and positive feedback. 9. To support service users in claiming their full benefit entitlement, budgeting and managing their personal finances as independently as possible to support their chosen lifestyle. 10. To provide respectful personal care in accordance with the needs, wishes and preferred routines outlined in the individual s personal support plans 11. To support people to enjoy a wide range of activities within the home and community which meets their needs. To support service users in developing a socially valued lifestyle which includes a varied range of culturally and age appropriate experiences, building on the strengths, interests and aspirations of the service user. To enable people to access social, leisure, work and educational opportunities. 12. To provide respectful personal care in accordance with the needs, wishes and preferred routines outlined in the individual s personal support plans. Some individuals will require support with their physical/mobility disabilities and may require support in wheelchairs, using hoists and other appropriate equipment to meet personal needs. 13. To ensure that service users receive all necessary advice, care and regular health checks to ensure their physical health and well being. To promote nutrition, relaxation, exercise and a healthy lifestyle. To observe and monitor the service users emotional and physical well being and to inform the Registered Manager, families and other agencies of any concerns or significant changes in their needs, behaviour and circumstances. 14. To offer positive behaviour support to individuals who express their frustrations and needs through challenging behaviour by using appropriate strategies, management protocols and guidelines agreed with the multi-disciplinary team. 15. To work closely with the families of service users and other professionals involved in their care and support to provide coordinated services to meet the needs of the individuals. To encourage and support connections with families and friends. To positively and respectfully communicate with families and other professionals at all times. 16. To follow the guidance and risk management strategies outlined in the individual s risk management plan. To work in a safe and responsible manner to safeguard vulnerable service users from harm whilst ensuring they are able to make choices, enjoy new experiences and live a full life. Page 3 of 10
17. To ensure that vulnerable adults and children are safeguarded from harm. To comply with Creative Support and Council s safeguarding policy and procedures and to report any concerns regarding vulnerable adults or children with immediate effect to the Council, the Registered Manager and the Duty/On Call Manager. 18. To assist service users in the administration and monitoring of prescribed medication in accordance with the Scheme s Medication Policy. 19. To take appropriate action in the event of unforeseen incidents and emergencies, ensuring that the Registered Manager is informed promptly. 20. To follow health and safety guidelines carefully and to alert the Registered Manager immediately of any concerns in relation to Health and Safety issues. 21. To contribute to project records and individual case files. 22. To carry out and record all financial transactions involving service users within agency guidelines. 23. To carry out general administrative duties, housing management tasks and services as required. 24. To contribute to person centred reviews, through the provision of verbal and written reports and by attending Support Planning meetings. Other 25. To notify Line Manager of planned whereabouts and to submit accurate timesheets weekly. 26. To provide regular verbal and written reports to colleagues. 27. To accept support, supervision and guidance from senior colleagues. 28. To carry out all work in a manner consistent with the aims of the project and the service principles adopted by Creative Support. 29. To comply with and to implement the Equal Opportunities Policy. 30. To maintain confidentiality at all times, in accordance with the agreed policy. 31. To identify training needs in discussion with Line Manager and to attend training events and courses as required. 32. To observe any written policies, procedures and guidelines for good practice agreed by Creative Support. 33. To take on the role of shift co-ordinator when required. 34. All employees should be aware that due to the nature of work Creative Support undertakes there is a requirement to support service users with daily living skills and individual activities Page 4 of 10
which will include moving and handling and may involve supporting people with personal care needs 35. In accordance with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, to actively participate in the prevention and control of infection within the capacity of the role. 36. To provide respectful personal care in accordance with the needs, wishes and preferred routines outlined in the individual s personal support plans. Some individuals will require support with their physical/mobility disabilities and may require support in wheelchairs, using hoists and other appropriate equipment to meet personal needs 37. Any other duties as required. Page 5 of 10
PERSON SPECIFICATION SUPPORT WORKER Leeds Service for the support for people with learning disabilities, complex needs and autism Page 6 of 10 QUALITIES REQUIRED How Assessed 1 Ability to demonstrate unconditional positive regard and a warm, respectful and person centred approach to people learning disabilities, complex needs and autism Interview 2 Ability to engage with service users, to develop and sustain warm and Interview trusting relationships 3 Ability to demonstrate basic insight and understanding into the needs Interview of people with learning disabilities, complex needs and autism 4 Good verbal and non-verbal communication skills with the ability to Interview tailor these to the needs of the preferences of the individuals 5 Written communication skills, sufficient to contribute to a record Application keeping system 5 Ability to work constructively and co-operatively as part of a team Interview and to demonstrate self-motivation and initiative 6 Ability to work safely and responsibly without direct supervision in Interview service user s own home 7 Ability to enable people to enjoy developmental opportunities Interview without being exposed to unacceptable risks 8 Understanding of the person centred aims and principles of Creative Application Support and ability to put these into practice 9 Ability to maintain professional boundaries, to liaise in a professional Interview manner with other agencies and to work in a positive and respectful way with the families and friends of service users 10 Ability to demonstrate respect for difference and diversity. Application 11 Ability to provide emotional and practical support with all aspects of Application everyday lives. 12 A non judgmental, accepting approach to working with people who may be challenging and the ability to cope in a mature way with conflict, distress and challenging behaviour 13 Ability to work in a calm, patient and tolerant manner at a pace appropriate to the needs of the individual 14 Possession of relevant social care qualification (eg NVQ & Health and Social Care Diplomas) 15 Experience of providing care or support to people with a learning disabilities, complex needs and autism 16 Life experience and confidence in relating to people from a wide variety of backgrounds 17 Ability to provide respectful personal care and assistance with mobility needs 18 Ability to support service users with their physical health needs, this may include pushing wheelchairs and using hoists of which a degree of physical fitness will be required. Application Interview or Desirable? Application Desirable Application Application Interview Application, Pre-emps, Interview Desirable
QUALITIES REQUIRED CONTINUED How Assessed or Desirable? 19 Willingness and ability to work flexibly to meet the needs of the Interview individuals and the service 20 Willingness to attend training courses and events Interview 21 Willingness to accept feedback and guidance to reflect on practice and to be accountable to service users, colleagues and managers 22 To have a clean driving licence and be willing to drive service users cars Interview Application Form Desirable Page 7 of 10
TERMS AND CONDITIONS SUPPORT WORKER Leeds Service for the provision of support for people with learning disabilities, complex needs and autism Pay Structure: Up to 7.20ph pro rata (depending on experience and qualifications). 1. 6.60 ph No experience 2. 6.80 ph Graduate or min 1 year s social care or other relevant experience 3. 7.00 ph Two or more years experience with NVQ 2 4. 7.20 ph More than 2 years experience with NVQ 3 (or professional qualification such as nursing, social work, OT or NVQ 4/5.) Sleep Ins: An additional payment of 26.50 is payable per night for sleep-ins. Waking Nights: All waking nights attract an additional payment of 1.20 per hour for each night actually worked. This is paid to all staff who work nights whether on the basis of regular waking nights, periodic night duty, internal rotation or occasional night duty. Bank Holidays: An enhancement is paid for working at Christmas and New Year. We do not pay enhancements for working evenings, weekends or any other public holiday. Level 2 and/or Level 3 Health & Social Care Diploma: All employees will be required to undertake and complete the Level 2/3 Health and Social Care Diploma, or if the employee already has an NVQ but no Learning Disability qualification, they will need to complete the Level 2/3 Certificate in Learning Disabilities (applicable to Support Workers working in learning disability services only) as a condition of their employment. If you hold NVQ 2/3 health and social care or equivalent you will of course not need to do the award again, but we may support you to undertake higher qualifications. Hours of Work: Part time hours up to Full time hours working across site. Full time hours are subjected to 37.5 hours per week. To be worked flexibly on a rota which will include early shifts from 7am, evening shifts up until 10pm, weekends and public holidays according to the needs of the service. In addition to your contracted hours you may be required to work sleep-ins for which you will be paid an additional 26.50 for each sleep-in actually worked. Sleep-ins are additional to your contracted hours. DBS Checks: Employment will be subject to enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service checks and SOVA checks. Probationary Period: The first six months will constitute a probationary period. When this is successfully completed, employment will be confirmed. Your performance due in probationary period will be assessed against the job description, person specification and competency framework of this role Page 8 of 10
Holidays: 20 days plus 8 statutory days pro rata. Sickness Policy: Creative Support operates a discretionary company sick pay benefit scheme which is for the purposes of preventing hardship during times of serious illness. The eligibility criteria and conditions for payment of Company Sick Pay (inclusive of SSP) are shown in the Employee Handbook. You may be eligible for Company Sick Pay benefits subject to compliance with these criteria as follows:- Creative Support do not pay for the first three days of any sickness absence. First six months service - Not eligible for Company Sick Pay though you may be entitled to SSP. Six months to eighteen months service - Up to a maximum of four weeks at full pay. Eighteen months plus service - Up to a maximum of eight weeks at full pay followed by four weeks at half pay. Part time employees will receive Company Sick Pay benefits as detailed above but pro rata to actual hours worked each week. Company Sick Pay benefits may be withdrawn or temporarily suspended where performance or attendance is unsatisfactory. Pension: Creative Support operates an auto-enrolment pension scheme with the People s Pension. Life Assurance: All staff under Creative Support contract are entitled to free life assurance. This is a valuable benefit which provides a lump sum equal to four times annual salary. Discretionary Benefits: Creative Support offers discretionary benefits in addition to statutory benefits. These include: Paid paternity leave Enhanced maternity leave Compassionate leave Carers leave up to 5 days per annum Employee Counselling Service: All staff, their partners and members of their household have access to an independent confidential, 24 hour telephone counselling service and to legal and financial advice. In addition, up to 6 sessions of face to face counselling can be obtained. This service is delivered by professionally qualified and supervised counsellors and is provided free of charge. Hospital Saturday Fund: All employees have access to a special scheme which enables membership of the Hospital Saturday Fund on preferential rates. There are a choice of packages offering different levels of service. Membership is entirely voluntary. Page 9 of 10
Staff Benefits Scheme: As a member of staff for Creative Support you will be entitled to access a range of on-line benefits for various activities and high street stores. Benefits include discounted prices and two for one offers at Theme Parks, Shops, Restaurants and various on-line stores. Page 10 of 10