Job description
JOB DESCRIPTION: SUPPORT WORKER (SW)
(Includes Bank Workers)
RESPONSIBLE TO: Senior Support Worker/Business Manager/Home Manager
JOB SUMMARY: To provide quality support for a group of vulnerable young
People with social emotional and mental health difficulties
within a Supported Accommodation Home
HOURS OF WORK: Working alongside shift patterns of full-time staff. You are
expected to undertake sleep-in’s, which will be shared between
Duties and Responsibilities
the team.
- Working under the direction of Management and the Senior Support Worker to actively contribute to the provision of quality support. You will be expected to promote the health, welfare, education and development of young people. As a staff member you will promote a coherent ethos of support consistent with the overall culture of Wyvenhoe House and the Statement of Purpose for the Home.
- To work as part of a support team, which can include supporting both formal education settings and informal education as part of the curriculum.
- To contribute towards the maintenance of a positive safe and homely environment, including the promotion of a warm and accepting atmosphere where the safety and care of young people is paramount. Working with the Senior Support Worker and Manager to ensure proper and appropriate nurturing for all young people with attention to the provision of primary support in matters of food, health, clothing and environment.
- As instructed by the Senior Support Worker and/or the Business/Home Manager, you will work proactively with the team by following the daily routine and agreed structures of the Home, to include for example undertaking and supporting with daily household responsibilities such as domestic chores, supporting with cooking, shopping and taking young people to appointments/meetings. You will be required to have good communication skills (written and verbal) as the position involves being able to write logs, reports and daily records etc.
- To build positive and appropriate working relationships with the young people, ensuring adherence to boundaries and consistency of care practice.
- To support young people with after school and leisure time activities e.g., hobbies and interests.
- To work in partnership with parents, social workers, agencies and other professionals linked to the young person’s Care Plan to effectively support the young people, ensuring the maintenance of family contact, where appropriate.
- As directed by the Senior Support Worker and/or the Business/Home Manager, undertake keyworker responsibility for individual young people in the Home, focusing on the specific needs identified in the Care Plan for the young person. Contribute to the writing of the Care Plan and other plans, implementing and monitoring progress.
- To follow and act in accordance with all relevant aspects of legislation, regulations - including the Quality Care Standards, the Company’s policies and procedures. Ensure own understanding of how such issues are interpreted and followed in practice keeping up to date with changes.
- To work collectively with team members in using effective care practice, de-escalating and diversionary strategies and recognised techniques to manage young people who exhibit challenging, threatening and confrontational behaviour.
- Working in conjunction with team members ensure the creation and maintenance of a culture which shows in practice and knowledge an understanding of the differing cultural, racial and religious needs of young people. Work constructively to enhance the positive value of working with difference to challenge attitudes and practice, which are inappropriate or unacceptable within the ethos of the Home.
- Undertake appropriate training, including induction and all regulatory and mandatory training for the Home including training as specified by the Senior Support Worker and/or the Business/Home Manager. If you do not already hold the NVQ Level 3 Diploma in Children & Young People in Social Care or equivalent, you will be expected to achieve this qualification within 2 years.
- To fully abide by and follow the Company’s Health and Safety policies and procedures to ensure safe and effective working practices for the staff, young people and people visiting the premises.
- Take responsibility for a designated area of work, practice development as directed by the Senior Support Worker and/or Business/Home Manager.
- In conjunction with the Business/Home Manager and team, develop a positive public profile of the service ensuring good communication, relationships and that staff represent the service in a professional way.
- To carry out any other appropriate duties as directed by the Senior Support Worker and/or Business/Home Manager.
- To participate in one-to-one supervision with the Business/Home Manager.
- To complete the required daily paperwork and reports that are required to be completed and any other paperwork as directed by the Senior Support Worker and/or Business/Home Manager.
Knowledge and Experience
- Working knowledge of young people and child development, developed through working directly with young people
- An understanding of current legislation
- An understanding of the principles underpinning the regulations including the Quality Care Standards.
- An awareness of group dynamics
- An understanding of the social, emotional, educational, cultural, religious and recreational needs of young people
Skills and Abilities
- To be able to effectively use a range of strategies in dealing with confrontational or challenging behaviour from the young people including de-escalating and approved hold techniques.
- To be able to engage appropriately with young people and develop rapport.
- To be able to engage in a variety of activities to develop and sustain appropriate relationships with young people. Ability to manage personal and professional boundaries maintaining appropriate relationships with staff and young people. Able to form and sustain positive and professional working relationships
- Able to take direction and work effectively and cooperatively as a member of the team. Able to use initiative and work autonomously within the boundaries of the role Able to organise and prioritise own work.
- Ability to cope with the pressure of a residential care setting. Able to demonstrate a genuine desire and interest in working with challenging young people. Able to demonstrate consistency of approach in dealing with a range of young people. Able to handle own emotions and feelings, without over empathising with the young person.
- Committed to anti-discriminatory practice and anti-oppressive approach and able to translate this attitude into practice.
- Hold a current full driving licence and prepared to drive as part of the work.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
RESIDENTIAL CARE WORKER
Education /Qualifications
Essential
Desirable
Method of Assessment
QCF/NVQ 3 in Children and young people or equivalent
It is a requirement to holds a QCF Level 3, CYP qualification to work in Supported Living Accommodation. It will therefore be essential criteria for the job, the company will sponsor you to achieve this qualification
Application Form Certificate
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
Desirable
Method of Assessment
Experience with young people either paid or voluntary
Application Form
Selection Process
Working knowledge of young people and child development developed through working directly with young people
Application Form
Selection Process
Experience of working with young people in a supported living accommodation setting
Application Form
Selection Process
Experience of working with young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties
Application Form
Selection Process
An understanding of current legislation
Application Form
Selection Process
An understanding of the principles underpinning The Regulations including the Quality Care Standards
Application Form
Selection Process
An awareness of group dynamics
Application Form
Selection Process
An understanding of the social, emotional, educational, cultural, religious and recreational needs of young people
Selection Process
Skills and abilities
Essential
Desirable
Method of Assessment
Able to engage appropriately with young people and develop rapport
Whole Process
Able to recognise conflict and challenging behaviour situations with young people
Selection Process
Able to effectively use a range of strategies in dealing with confrontational or challenging behaviour from the young people including de-escalating and approved hold techniques
Selection Process
Able to engage in a variety of activities to develop and sustain appropriate relationships with young people
Application Form
Selection Process
Ability to manage personal and professional boundaries maintaining appropriate relationships with staff and young people
Selection Process
Good communication skills (written and verbal) the position involves being able to write logs, reports and daily records.
Application form
Whole Process
Able to use the computer and Microsoft packages to produce correspondence, reports and undertake e-learning
Application Form
Selection Process
Able to form and sustain positive and professional working relationships
Selection Process
Able to take direction and work effectively and cooperatively as a member of the team
Selection Process
Able to use initiative and work autonomously within the boundaries of the role
Selection Process
Able to organise and prioritise own work
Selection Process
Ability to cope with the pressure of working in supported living accommodation
Selection Process
Able to demonstrate a genuine desire and interest in working with challenging young people
Selection Process
Able to demonstrate consistency of approach in dealing with a range of young people.
Selection Process
Able to handle own emotions and feelings, without over empathising with the young person.
Selection Process
Ability to understand the differing dynamics and distinguish between the differing needs of the individual and the group
Application Form
Selection Process
Able and willing to undertake all tasks associated with supporting a young person
Application Form
Selection Process
Hold a current full driving licence and prepared to drive as part of the work
Application Form
Driving Licence
Committed to anti-discriminatory practice and anti-oppressive approach and able to translate this attitude into practice
Whole Process
Commitment to personally undertake further training and development
Selection Process
Able to meet the requirement of the alternative two-week shift pattern
Selection Process
This position involves occasionally travelling to various locations to take young people to appointments, family time and training, etc. It is therefore expected that you can fulfil this requirement
Job Types: Full-time, Part-time
Part-time hours: 30 per week
Salary: Up to £11.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Flexitime
- On-site parking
Day range:
- Every weekend
- Monday to Friday
- No weekends
- Weekends only
Shift:
- 8 hour shift
- Day shift
- Night shift
Ability to commute/relocate:
- Harrow: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Work Location: In person