Job description
Being a Support Worker at AFG is a hugely rewarding role and could be your first step on a long and happy career in Health & Social Care.
So, what does a Support Worker do?
We have a vision to create a world where people control their lives. Here at AFG, we pride ourselves on helping the people we support to design, develop and ‘own’ the support they receive by planning this with them; we support people to make informed choices and increase their own independence; and we support people to maintain their own health, wellbeing and living environment. These principles are really important to us.
Our Support Workers work in a variety of settings including community-based services (often supporting people in their own homes) to our Treatment & Recovery Centres.
One thing that is common across all of our services is a focus on personalised support and tailoring our services to the needs and aspirations of the people we support with a diverse range of care needs (including Learning Disabilities, Physical Disabilities, Mental Health Concerns, Complex Care, Substance Misuse issues to name a few).
We value the people that work with us…
At AFG we recognise the contribution and value that our staff make. We would not be able to provide the life changing support that we do without people like you! In return for your contribution we will support you throughout your career and we provide a wide range of employee benefits, career development (including opportunities to undertake vocational qualifications) and lifestyle support services to ensure that you too feel supported, fulfilled and valued from day one of your employment with us.
About you…
There are a few things that we look for in all of our support workers; we would need you to…
- be a good communicator (verbally and in writing)
- be patient, confident and enthusiastic about caring for others
- be able to use your own initiative
- be able to work as part of a team
- have flexibility to work a varied shift pattern to provide 24-hour support
- share our AFG values
We don’t ask for any other relevant training or a previous career in care as full training will be provided – you just need a willingness to learn and develop.
Your pay - between 4th April 2022 and 31st March 2023, our Support Workers will receive a rate equivalent to £9.90 per hour for all worked hours. This will be made up of the National Living Wage rate of £9.50, plus for any worked hours an addition top-up in your hourly rate of £0.40 to take total hourly equivalent for all worked hours to £9.90. On top of this, any colleagues who work above an average of 39 hours per week in any pay period will receive an additional 10p per hour for worked hours above this level taking hourly earnings up to £10.00 per hour for those shifts (this additional top-up will apply between 4th April 2022 and 31st March 2023).
As a ‘values based’ employer, the people that work for us genuinely care about the people they support, and we are seeking likeminded people to join our AFG family. If you are passionate about caring for others and have a real desire to make a positive difference to the lives of the people we support then we would love to hear from you.
More about this vacancy...
We asked the Team Leader to tell us more about this role and the amazing person that we need to work here.
Where is this vacancy based?
This vacancy is based in Birchwood, Warrington
Who do you support?
We support two males who have mental health needs which require supporting with accessing the local community and prompting with their personal hygiene.
What would a typical shift be like?
Supporting two gentlemen within their home to live an independent lifestyle, to support and prompt with day-to-day activities, gain confidence out in the community and to build on achieving individual goals independently.
Assist with all health appointments and provide medication as prescribed.
Monitor mental health.
Work well within the team and develop knowledge on mental health needs specific to each individual
What activities do the people that we support at this property like to do?
As a support worker, you will be supporting the two gentlemen in accessing the community, to access their daily activities and interests.
Are there any skills or interests that a candidate could have that would be great to use to support this service?
They require support with finances, household chores, managing a tenancy, building social skills, health and hygiene needs, lifestyle skills, medication management, personal care and attending appointments.
What daily tasks to the people we support need help with?
Support the two gentlemen with their daily finances and banking. Support the two gentlemen with their household chores including food preparation.
As a support worker you will be managing a tenancy and reporting property issues to the landlord. You will also be trained on Medication management, and also support the two gentlemen in building social & lifestyle skills. There will also be an element of prompting Health & hygiene needs, as well as prompting personal care.
What is the team here or is it lone working?
You will be working with an experienced friendly team who know the gentlemen well. There may be times of lone working if the gentlemen want support in the community.
What are your shift patterns?
The usual shift patterns are 7:30 start, and 22:30 finish unless sleeping over.
We hope it has given you more insight into this role and we hope to see your application soon.
Please note our Support Workers are contracted by area therefore flexibility is essential to work in other services where required.