Support Worker - 39 Hours per week, Burnley, Driver desirable Burnley, England
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 1st April 2023 and 31st March 2024, our Support Workers will receive a rate equivalent to £11.00 per hour for all worked hours. This will be made up of the National Living Wage rate of £10.42 per hour - plus between 1st April 2023 and 31st March 2024 you will receive an additional top-up in your hourly rate for any worked hours of £0.58 – this will take your total hourly equivalent for all worked hours to £11.00 per hour – Our top-up payments are made in arrears.
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 Burnley.
Who do you support?
We support 3 elderly gents who have learning disabilities. 2 of the gents have mobility issues and require full support with mobility, this includes support with a wheelchair. and all aspects of personal care. All of the gents have SALT guidelines and their meals are prepared for them in line with the guidelines. They each have access to a vehicle and enjoy going for trips out. One of the gents has a medical issue and requires 1-1 support overnight. The other 2 gents require a sleep in. 2 of the gents can communicate and make their needs known. One of the gents is non verbal and requires support staff to be familiar with him in order that he can make his needs known.
Where do they live?
The property is a 4 bedroom bungalow situated in a cul de sac close to Burnley town centre. There is easy access to the property from the M65 motorway.
What would a typical shift be like?
At the start of a day shift 2 of the gents require full support with personal care. Staff will support them to shower, shave, choose their clothes for the day and assist with dressing. Support is required to choose and eat breakfast. Support is required to launder clothes. Full support is required to keep the property clean and tidy. Full support is required to plan meals and do the weekly food shopping. One of the gents can support himself with personal care however he requires support to shave and wash his hair. Full support is required to administer and order medication. When their are no planned activities the gents enjoy watching tv, listening to music and karaoke.
What activities do the people that we support at this property like to do?
All of the gents enjoy going for day trips out and visiting the park. They also enjoy going for meals out to the pub or cafe. One of the gents particularly enjoys music and karaoke. He is also interested in watching police programmes on the tv and visiting police museums. As the gents are elderly they do enjoy to spend time at home.
Are there any skills or interests that a candidate could have that would be great to use to support this service?
Each of the gents have access to a vehicle and ideally the candidate will be able to drive. We require someone who can be creative and can source indoor and outdoor activities that will keep the gents active and occupied, patience and understanding is a must! We require someone who can support plan and prepare tasty meals that adhere to SALT guidelines in place for each of the gents.
What daily tasks to the people we support need help with?
Daily finances and banking, Household chores including food preparation, Managing a tenancy; reporting property issues to the landlord, Communication, Accessing the community, Moving and handling, Medication management, Building social & lifestyle skills, Health & hygiene needs, Personal care.
What is the team here or is it lone-working?
You will be working as part of a team with experienced staff during the day who will be their to guide you to get to know the routines of the day. In the early evening you will be lone working until the night staff come in at 20.00 to support one of the gents. You will be required to work weekends and some bank holidays including Christmas. You will be able to work sleep in and waking night shifts. There is an out of hours on call service for any emergencies that may arise.
What are your shift patterns?
A sleep in shift is 9.00 - 22.00 sleep in then 7.00 - 16.00 the next day. A day shift is usually 9.00 - 17.00 depending on 1-1 support activities. A waking watch is 20.00 - 09.00.
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.
