Support Worker

Job Description

Job Overview:

• To provide care in accordance with best practice and legislative requirements, complying to all policies, procedures and agreed standards
• To support and enable Supported Individuals to maintain and develop current and new skills and personal interests whilst delivering person-centred care, unique to the Supported Individual.
• To appropriately support and encourage the Supported Individual to make their own decisions to enable an independent life.
• To complete training and development as required to continuously increase personal knowledge and skills.
• To work flexibly within the service, including night and weekend duties.

Role Specific Duties:

• Support the Supported Individual/s with all aspects of their day-to-day living, enabling them to make their own decisions and enjoy the best possible quality of life. All support given in accordance with the Supported Individual’s Care Plan
• To ensure the Supported Individual/s has a safe, appropriate and comfortable living environment.
• To support the Supported Individual/s to participate in the local community, pursuing all possible opportunities to take part in local groups and/or gain paid or voluntary employment.
• Discreetly performing any personal care tasks to preserve the Supported Individual’s dignity at all times.
• If a requirement to administer or support to administer medication following the care plan.
• All care plans and any other relevant information regarding how to assist the Supported Individual/s are followed, including Health and Safety requirements.
• Responsible for immediately informing your Line Manager or Area Manager of any changes in the needs of Supported Individuals, or of any changes in their behaviour which may raise concerns.
• Responsible for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of the Supported Individual/s. Immediately reporting any suspicion of any type of abuse to the appropriate person.
• Understands and demonstrates a professional standard of discretion and confidentiality in line with Company requirements.
• To complete all administration in line with the requirements of the role.

Working with Others and Where Appropriate Lone Working:

• Develop a respectful relationship with the Supported Individual/s to ensure a value-based and caring service delivery.
• Develop effective working relationships whether working alone and/or in co-operation with members of multi-discipline teams, colleagues and other providers to maximise opportunities for the Supported Individual/s, to implement a high-quality service.
• To work co-operatively to build good working relationships with the Supported Individual’s family, friends and relevant agencies.
• All handovers are completed to the standards required to enable consistency in service approach.
• To assist new colleagues or agency cover colleagues to provide the best possible support for the Supported Individual.

Leading by Example:

• To seek out opportunities for personal and professional growth in line with the role of Support Worker.
• Be a role model for other Support Workers, particularly new colleagues, assisting them for benefit of the Supported Individual.
• Be an ambassador for the service acting in the best interests of the people we support in a professional, polite and respectful manner at all times.

Personal Skills and Responsibilities:

• Ensure Supported Individuals are at the heart of care delivery including their wishes and preferences to enhance their well-being.
• Compassion, good communication skills and a calm and caring manner are essential for this important role.
• Commit to achieving the relevant qualifications commensurate with the role.
• Be open to learning opportunities such as attendance at statutory and other training courses as directed by the company.
• To understand and follow all policies and procedures relevant to the role. If unsure to seek advice and clarity from your Line Manager.
• Attendance at support sessions and meetings etc.
• Responsible for keeping your CPD up to date and available for audit.

Specifications

Experience

Experience is desirable but it can be gained during employment

• Previous experience of working in a similar role
• Previous experience of working with Supported Individuals, in particular, those that may have additional support needs.

Qualifications

QCF in Social Care Level 2 (minimum) –

• Can be completed during employment
• Knowledge and understanding of the Care Quality Commission Standards

Skills/Abilities

Written Skills

• Ability to maintain all Care Plans/Care Records in accordance with One Fylde Requirements.

Communication Skills

• Ability to build rapport with people by establishing connections and showing interest in their lives.
• Ability to communicate effectively with Supported Individuals.
• Skill to communicate any problems, concerns or changes to Supported Individuals’ family members as needed.

Problem Solving Skills

• The ability to adapt and to address situations quickly and appropriately.
• Ability to plan, develop, implement and assess approaches to promote health and well-being.
• Ability to recognise and report situations which may be a safeguarding or protection issue.

Leadership and Working Together Skills

• The ability to provide Supported Individuals with assistance to accomplish daily tasks as stated in their Care Plan – without taking over or completing the task for them.
  Example of daily tasks could include, bathing, eating, dressing, grooming and using the bathroom
• Ability to support, induct and orientate new colleagues or agency staff cover to the job role to ensure positive outcomes in service provided to the Supported Individual.
• The ability to work with Supported Individual/s who may present challenging behaviours.

Physical Ability

• Able to undertake manual handling tasks such as pushing wheelchairs and using hoists.

Ability to Drive is desirable

• Although not a requirement for all roles within the service, the ability to drive is desirable as it allows added flexibility for the Supported Individual.

Value-based personal qualities

Respect and Dignity

• Understands person-centred care and can demonstrate treating people as individuals and respecting choices.
• Promoting independence and encouraging appropriate risk-taking.
• Understands and promotes positive behaviours in the support of the Supported Individual.

Everyone Counts

• Ensuring no-one is discriminated against or excluded.
• Non-judgemental and respectful of the Supported Individual/s values and beliefs
• Understands human rights and impact on care delivery.
• Facilitating people to ‘speak up’ about concerns and acting upon them.

Improving lives

• Focus on how things could be done better and sharing ideas.
• Understanding of wellbeing and what is important to people using the service.
• Improving outcomes for people.
• Ensuring the appropriate services are provided for people using the services.

Compassion

• Treating people with kindness, patience and sensitivity.
• Understanding the importance of empathy in all areas of the service.
• Understanding the values of others and always providing a caring service.

Confidentiality

• Confidentiality is extremely important in everything we do
• Never share service or Supported Individual’s family information with other supported families, non-appropriate internal colleagues or anyone externally without the express direction of a Senior Manager
• Photo’s of the service or the Supported Individual should never be taken shared on the internet or shared with others.
• If in doubt, ask a Senior Manager of the Company

Working Together

• Assist Supported Individuals to live independent lives.
• Involve Supported Individuals, family, colleagues and external agencies appropriately.
• Speak up if things go wrong.
• Supporting new people and/or agency workers to ensure a consistent and quality service.

Commitment to the Quality of Care

• Striving for quality in everything we do recognise and understanding what quality in care means for people using the service.
• Being accepting criticism and focusing on improvement.
• Being open to new opportunities for learning and identifying the limits of skills and knowledge.
• Able to be organised, calm and positive under pressure.
• Patient and displays the Company values to promote dignity and respect.