JOB DESCRIPTION RESIDENTIAL CARE PRACTITIONER General statement of purpose To contribute to the development and efficient operation of care practice and the provision of a consistent level of service delivery to Young People. To assist in implementing systems and processes which reflect the aims, objectives and philosophy as laid down in the Practice Handbook. To ensure the Health, Safety and well being of Young People is maintained. Key Objectives of the post To provide Residential Care to a quality standard which meets best practice and exceeds it whenever possible. To operate as cost effectively as possible while still achieving the quality objective. Responsible for The efficient and appropriate management of Young People during their stay within Prospects for Young People, as outlined in the Practice Handbook. Managing any delegated finances appropriately. Acting as a Keyworker to a specific Young Person. Responsible to Manager Page 1 of 10
Broad duties associated with the Role 1. Management of day to day routines to promote a positive care environment. f) g h) i) To attend to all routine supervision duties as required for the general welfare of the Young People. To wake Young People up and settle them to bed in a manner that respects their individuality and privacy. To encourage Young People to take an interest in the upkeep of their own room, particularly in respect of any young person to whom you act as Key Worker. To ensure night monitoring system is activated whilst sleeping in. To respond to the night monitoring system and record as necessary. To ensure appointments made for Young People are kept and transport provided to carry them. To ensure that the birthdays of Young People within Prospects are remembered and celebrated. To undertake and complete domestic tasks on a shared basis i.e. cooking; cleaning; shopping; day to day maintenance. To participate in the daily routines involved in keeping the household clean and tidy. j) k) l) m) To contribute to a daily handover process which picks up on, any issues that may have arisen. Record of hand-over in log book. To attend hand-over meetings whilst on duty. To track progress of resolution of issues arising at hand-over meetings. Page 2 of 10
2. Team participation in terms of Residential Care Practice in accordance with the Policy and Guidance laid down in the Practice Handbook. To be pro-active in promoting an anti-discriminatory approach in all aspects of the work within PROSPECTS both in respect of adults and Young People. To undertake a reasonable level of overtime throughout the year. To show flexibility in responding to an emergency situation e.g. rota shortfall, transport a child / young person; provide cover at short notice. To participate as an active and supportive member of the team of staff on duty in supporting colleagues and sharing in tasks / responsibilities. To attend additional / Extra Ordinary Meetings as required. 3. Placement and Action Planning. To be involved in the drawing up of Initial and Full Placement Plans, for the Young Person for whom you have Keyworker responsibility To contribute to the Action and Joint Action Planning process of Young People to whom you act as Key Worker. To participate in the review and revision of Action and Joint Action Plans and to ensure these are recorded and understood by all. To contribute to the implementation of Action and Joint Action Plans for individual Young People. To contribute to the writing of Joint Progress Reports Page 3 of 10
4. Health Promotion. To ensure that the health of individual Young People is maintained, including registering with local Health Care Practitioners (Doctor, Dentist, Optician) and encouraging ongoing treatment where necessary. To attend to any day to day health needs and ensure that any action taken is recorded on the appropriate Open Access File. To uphold and comply with the organisational smoking policy. To actively discourage Young People from smoking both by personal example and discussion. 5. Record Keeping. To countersign all Log entries in full, when having made an entry. Ensure that recording within Open Access Files are kept up to date. To ensure whilst on duty, the completion of all records including log, unauthorised absence, sanction, incident record books etc. To ensure all records are legible, accurate and complete and appropriately dated, signed and counter-signed in full. 6. Boundary and Limit Setting. To set appropriate and reasonable boundaries around behaviour both with adults and Young People To consistently challenge abusive language both with adults and Young People and to act as appropriate Role Model in this area. To encourage appropriate Social Skills e.g. table manners; please and thank you etc. To encourage Young People to respect themselves and others. Page 4 of 10
7. Provision of a Leisure / Activity Programme. To provide and supervise a varied programme of stimulating leisure activities for Young People. To plan and provide a range of activities that encourage the building of self-esteem and opportunities to achieve challenges. To create varied opportunities for Young People to achieve and experience success. To provide opportunity for Children / Young People to develop interests of their own. 8. The Key Worker Role. To act as Key Worker to a young person and to provide appropriate counselling, advice and support. To account for use of Key Worker time. To undertake a specified role as Key Worker to an individual young person within the action and joint action planning process, including the following up of agreed action points and the review of same. To ensure the regular allocation of specific individual time to Children / Young People. To keep appropriate records up to date in relation to Young People, particularly any for whom you act as Key Worker. Page 5 of 10
9. Reviewing Young Peoples Progress. f) g) To contribute to the writing of Reports for Reviews and ensuring they are a considered, comprehensive and full reflection of Children / Young Peoples current situation. To ensure that reference is made in Review Reports to targets drawn form the Action and Joint Action Planning Process, and progress made to date. To attend all meetings relating to young person to whom they have Key Worker responsibilities. To present and comment on the progress report and contribute to discussion within the Review. To support team members on occasions in the writing of Progress Review Reports. To be available to attend Progress Reviews of Young People as required. To contribute to the review of the work of the team at Weekly Team Meetings. 10. Incidents. In situations where restraint is necessary to act within the laid down Procedure, using the suggested techniques from the Practice Handbook and account for action taken using the Incident Report format. To immediately report any incident to available on-duty Senior Manager. To pass on any concerns that could constitute a Child Protection issue to available onduty Senior Manager. Page 6 of 10
11. Education. To liaise with the Education Team as necessary. To show a parental interest in work undertaken by Children / Young People in their Education Programme. To follow up with the relevant Teacher, any particular issue that, from time to time, may arise. To contribute to the Joint Action Planning process (Cross Ref.3) 12. Communication and Liaison. To ensure that positive and regular communication is maintained with Social Workers, Parents and significant others for young people to whom you act as Keyworker. To contribute to the effective liaison with neighbours and members of the local community by dealing with any complaints / enquiries politely and efficiently. To contribute to the effective communication within the team. Page 7 of 10
13. Management of Vehicles. f) g) To be responsible for the supervision of Young People in vehicles in terms of safety and damage. To ensure smoking is not allowed in vehicles. To ensure vehicle log is maintained up to date. To ensure through this delegated responsibility that vehicles are kept clean and tidy. To ensure that all vehicles are serviced regularly and any repairs seen to promptly. To ensure vehicles carry current Road Fund Licence and M.O.T. To drive company vehicles in accordance with the laid-down Procedure. 14. General Maintenance of Physical Environment. To ensure any maintenance that is required is reported to the Manager as soon as possible. To ensure that items broken or needing replacement are provided without delay through the refurbishment element within the Budget. Page 8 of 10
15. Training and Professional Development. f) g) h) i) To Complete induction programme within 3 months. Prepare for and attend regular supervision. To attend Conferences / Seminars / Workshops as required. To have commitment to own Professional Development by giving 8 hours per month of own time. To complete NVQ at agreed level and within the defined timescale in order to Register and maintain registration with the Care council for Wales. To attend and complete the requirement of Professional Training arranged and paid for by Prospects and to notify the Manager of any difficulty or problem in meeting this requirement. To demonstrate an application of learning and development in contributing to the Child Care and Social Work Practice within Prospects. To complete Training Evaluation Records, when required, following each training course attended. To participate in own appraisal after the first 6 months and then annually. 16. Personal Presentation. To arrive on duty at the agreed time and be punctual in attendance at meetings. To be responsible for informing Manager immediately of absence due to sickness and provide as much notice as possible, of a return to work.. To present an effective Role Model to members of the Team and Young People in terms of personal presentation; motivation; language, attitude and dress. 17. To undertake any other duties which may be reasonably required from time to time. Page 9 of 10
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