Job summary
Respite Service Promoting Health, Ensuring Care
Whether you are new to care or an experienced Support Worker we have an exciting opportunity for you to join our friendly team as a Support Worker at Meadow Lodge in Chippenham.
Main duties of the job
** PLEASE NOTE WE ARE UNABLE TO ACCEPT APPLICATIONS VIA NHS JOBS. PLEASE VISIT OUR CAREERS SITE IF YOU WISH TO APPLY **
We are a four bedded respite service for adults with learning disabilities and/or autism.
The role of Support Worker requires the applicant to work in a person-centred manner, promoting well-being, choices, dignity and independence.
As part of our Respite Service, we provide 24-hour care to our customers throughout the year.
The role involves working early or late shifts, sleep ins and working every other weekend.
Wiltshire Council provide full training, including the nationally recognised Care Certificate, as well as training tailored to the needs of the people you support, an in-depth and thorough induction and plenty of career development opportunities.You will receive regular training opportunities.
You will be supported to undertake a 26-week probationary period with regular meetings throughout this period to monitor progressand enable us to identify any areas that we can offer you additional support.
Although experience of supporting adults with learning disabilities and/or autism is preferrable, we recognise that you do not need to have worked in care before to be a good Support Worker and join our team.
About us
Why us?
Wiltshire Council is a friendly, welcoming place to work, with a 'One Council' ethos. Thats why we focus on getting the things that matter to our people right
Job description
Job responsibilities
Work in a person-centred way with customers and promote their wellbeing, choices, dignity and
independence. This will be achieved through the key-worker system.
Planning activities for and with customers, taking into account differing needs, wishes and
preferences.
Creation of menus taking into account medical conditions, wishes, preferences, diets, etc
Support customers either living in their own home, or whilst visiting the settings.
Where appropriate, support customers to understand and maintain their tenancies, or licence
agreements.
Support customers moving into or out of the property; to be involved in the planning, preparation
and execution of the move, or stay at short break services.
Encourage and support customers in their personal, social (including religious), and leisure and
work activities.
Support customers maintain and develop relationships.
When required undertake sleeping-in duties or waking night duties on the premises.
Act as a link person between the customer and work, college or leisure establishments and
advising those establishments as necessary on the requirements or needs of the customer.
Provide emotional and practical support for customers with everyday issues or when customers
are faced with more difficult decisions or experiences.
Assist/support customers with all aspects of their financial and home management so that
financial commitments (paying bills, shopping, benefit claims, etc) are met.
Assist customers with household tasks.
Where required, assist customers in administering their own medicine, or administer
medication to customers if this is required.
Seek advice and guidance from Senior support workers and the Team Leader.
Only in exceptional circumstances will the postholder will be responsible for running shifts and
should normally have access to more senior staff members whilst on shift.
Focus on the individual, their strengths, choices, assets and goals through person centred
planning
Communication with colleagues and others:
Advise the Senior support worker or the Team Leader of any significant risk to a customer as
soon as reasonably practical.
Maintain regular informal and formal communication links with other colleagues to ensure a
smooth hand-over at the start and end of a shift.
Where customers are living with a high degree of independence, the post holder should maintain
regular telephone contact with them, as per guidelines and/or risk assessments in place.
Engage in regular supervision sessions with either the Senior support worker or Team Leader.
In the event of a serious incident or accident, contact appropriate outside agencies, such as GP,
hospital, fire brigade or police, as well as your immediate line manager (or out of hours On-Call
Manager).
Administration:
Accurately complete all records required in accordance with Wiltshire Council policies and
procedures.
Undertake learning opportunities relevant to the service the post holder works within;
The post holder may be required to travel between the settings and other locations;
Maintain the confidentiality of all information concerning customers;
Undertake any such other duties as are required and are appropriate to the job;
This post will involve unsocial and weekend working, as well as sleep-in duties
Have a flexible approach and work within a varied rota including on call, evenings, weekends
and sleeping-in, and waking nights duties, as responsibilities and customers needs may
change.
Specific requirements:
Flexibility is required in order to provide a responsive service to emergency situations,
ensuring the safety and well-being of those at the home, which may involve working outside
core hours.
The postholder will need to be flexible in terms of work locations, dividing time between
respite and day settings as required.
Have a flexible approach and work within a varied rota including on call, evenings, weekends,
sleeping-in and waking night duties. The postholder will need to be able to remain awake and
alert whilst undertaking waking nights duties.
The postholder will need to be physically fit to perform all aspects of the role.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Current knowledge of relevant legislation and guidance in relation to working with, and the
- safeguarding of, vulnerable adults
- Willingness to undertake L2 Diploma in Health & Social Care (Adults)
- Proven ability to use a variety of communication methods effectively
- Physically fit and able to perform all requirements of the job role
- Previous experience of building good working relationships and teamworking
- Proven ability of being able to remain calm and make decisions in difficult situations
- Fluent in English
- Driver
Desirable
- Knowledge of First Aid and experience of applying it
- Awareness of health and safety requirements and able to perform moving & handling safely
- Knowledge of the principles of Food Hygiene
- Knowledge of the Person-centred approach
- Good IT skills
- Experience of supporting people on a one to one basis
Qualifications
Essential
- General Education to GCSE A*-C or equivalent skills and experience
Desirable
- L2 Diploma in Health & Social Care (Adults) or equivalent
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
Meadow Lodge Respite Unit
Chippenham
Wiltshire
SN15 3PE