SUPPORT WORKER - JOB DESCRIPTION Accountable to: Responsible for: Main Objectives: Limits of Authority: Team Manager & Assistant Team Manager Offering a high quality support service to adults with learning disabilities. Working with colleagues and with the people living here to promote the Westminster Society s core values and fulfil and further the aims and objectives of the service. To ensure a safe, secure and stimulating environment in which the people are supported to exercise their rights, use their opportunities and be aware of and meet their responsibilities within their own home and the wider community. To work within agreed budgets and policies and procedures of both the Westminster Society and the individual services. KEY AREAS OF WORK: EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES To offer and support people with a range of new experiences & to encourage and support people to develop and pursue their own cultural interests. To encourage an awareness of a person s rights and responsibilities as citizens in their own home and within the wider community & to actively promote the Westminster Society s Diversity Policy and Statement of Values. PEOPLE WHO USE THE SERVICE To encourage people to be involved in, and take responsibility for the running of their own home within the Active Support model of participation and engagement. To support people to use community facilities, promote a variety of social and leisure activities and to support people with their health needs through informed choice. To provide a stimulating environment where skills can be maintained and developed. To help people with their physical care (e.g. washing and bathing) in a dignified and respectful manner. To support people with their intellectual and social development according to each person s abilities and needs. To achieve stated objectives from their care and support plan. COMMUNICATION AND RELATIONSHIPS To encourage relationships, support people with their emotional needs, advocate on behalf of people as appropriate and encourage self-advocacy skills. To liaise as appropriate with other professionals from Social & Health Services & family. To facilitate tenancy or residents meetings and ensure the involvement in consultation and decision making. To work in a Total Communication environment to maximise communication skills and maintain or develop individuals skills. Page 1 of 5
PERSON CENTRED PLANNING To support people to think about, plan and achieve goals and develop their involvement in their plans (PCP S) and to carry out specific link worker responsibilities. To plan, implement monitor & review support as a continual process. To have a person centred approach to work which means putting the people you support at the heart of every decision and activity you perform. To make use of outcomes monitoring tool within Linkworking responsibilities. HEALTH AND SAFETY To ensure the general well being, safety and security of everyone who uses the service by continually assessing risk taking. To maintain high standards of health, safety and hygiene, ensure a clean and safe environment, support the people who use the service with their domestic responsibilities and personally undertake cleaning tasks as necessary. To work within agreed Health & Safety policies and procedures, support people with their awareness of specific and general health issues & support people as appropriate in taking & monitoring their medication and liaising with other health professionals. TEAM WORK To attend and participate in team meetings, work within policies and procedures as agreed by the team as a whole or at the instruction of the managers. To support and provide induction to new team members. To take part in the planning, decision making and discussions within the team and in consultation with the people you support. To work within a team culture which provides support and encouragement to all team members regardless of job role. To develop positive and professional relationships with all team members. To fully work within a shift rota system which may include sleep ins. TRAINING AND SUPERVISION To actively participate in supervision, appraisals and the Westminster Society s Training and in external training programmes necessary for professional development and specific to the needs of people living or accessing your place of work. To complete professional qualifications such as Health and Social Care Diplomas if required as part of Care Quality Commission or contract requirements. ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT To maintain and update written and computerised records, as required, in line with the Westminster Society s policies and procedures and legislative requirements & be involved in the development of service policies and procedures. To ensure financial records are kept up to date, budget limits are adhered to and financial instructions are observed. To write reports, letters and keep service user s records and files up to date. To assist with benefits, banking and budgeting issues for people you support and provide support as appropriate. SAFEGUARDING To be aware of the vulnerability of the people you work with and be alert to potential for abuse. To use local and national policies and procedures for recognising, recording, reporting and participating in safeguarding protocols. Page 2 of 5
OTHER The post holder must be physically fit and able to safely perform manual handling tasks that may include wheelchairs & hoists, support with domestic activities, activities in the community, using public transport and using techniques within protocols for maintaining safety. This job description is a general guideline only. All s may be required to undertake duties not outlined above at the request of the Team Manager or Assistant Team Manager. Page 3 of 5
SUPPORT WORKER - PERSON SPECIFICATION QUALITIES PS ESSENTIAL DESIRABLE ASSESSMENT CRITERIA Education 1. Ability to complete written work such as letters, emails and reports that includes basic maths and English, with good spelling and grammar, and the use of web sites and IT systems including use of WORD, OUTLOOK and EXCEL NVQ2 Health and Social Care Experience 2. Experiences which transfer into social care setting Experience of supporting people with learning disabilities, Autism, mental health issues, Dementia or physical disability through work, volunteering or personal relationships Assessment centre 3. Able to work in a supportive environment with people with Learning Disabilities and or complex needs (this could mean mental health needs, Autism, physical support and communication challenges) Skills 4. An ability to develop relationships, relate to and communicate verbally and in writing in a professional manner with a variety of people including people with learning disabilities, their families, colleagues and other professionals. 5. Physically fit and able to safely perform manual handling tasks that may include wheelchairs & hoists, support with domestic activities, activities in the community, using public transport and using techniques within protocols for maintaining safety. Driving licence and willing to drive Society minibuses Occupational health Page 4 of 5
6. Awareness of health and safety issues, with the ability to look at a situation, assess and reduce risks and work out the support someone needs and wants to live successfully in their home and while out in the community 7. Ability to support people to set and achieve goals in all areas of their lives Keyworking / Linkworker experience Knowledge 8. Commitment and ability to apply equality of opportunity and the Society s statement of values to all aspects of daily work and interaction with people we support, team members and professionals. 9. An understanding of the risks of abuse for vulnerable adults and the requirement to report and follow up issues 10. Absolute reliability and demonstrable commitment to work to the planned rota and good timekeeping. Available to work flexible hours including sleep in (where part of the rota) weekends, early mornings, late evenings sometimes at short notice Occupational health Motivation/ Disposition 11. Demonstrable positive approach to personal development through training, achievement of qualifications and specialist knowledge and supervision as a means to deliver high quality support 12. Enthusiasm, creativity and passion for the contribution you can make along with the drive to achieve high standards This post will be subject to an Enhanced Disclosure & Barring Check Criminal Records Check. Page 5 of 5