Support Worker

Purpose

a)To provide a customised, responsive and high quality service for people who have additional needs. To support the client within their own homes and enable them opportunities to access learning and leisure opportunities in a variety of settings, within the local community.

b)To empower the person to live as independently as possible with appropriate levels of intervention and support.

c)Care staff will be allocated clients according to their skills level, availability and requirements of the client by their line manager via their supervision sessions. The level of service and payment will be explained to you at this time. You may have a variety of clients at different levels and at different times according the company contracts and services required. (as per the above table)

Benefits of Joining One to One Support Services;

• Regular supervisions to track your progress/ development and supporting you in work
• A full induction session
• Training and Progression opportunities
• Bupa health plan
• Pension scheme ( Scottish Widows)
• Refer a friend scheme

Key Responsibilities

a).To assist in enhancing existing communication skills by ensuring that constructive and total communication is used at all times, at a level and pace to suit the needs of each client. For persons with sensory impairment – to act as their eyes and ears at all times, relaying what is seen and heard, including spoken contributions, non verbal and environmental information.

b).To advocate, where appropriate, on the clients behalf, whilst always ensuring their right to privacy, dignity, choice and respect. Also to record and report to Line Manager any Safeguarding issues or concerns that may arise.

c).To help maintain constructive contact family and other significant people involved in the care and well-being of the person during work times only. Care staff to not engage or communicate with clients outside of these times in order to preserve professional boundaries and relationships. This will include not communicating with them on social media and care staff will not share personal numbers or address with clients.

d).To implement the person’s development or care plan, in a manner that is consistent with their culture, gender and age. This will entail arranging and accompanying the person on leisure activities and to appointments. To escort the person (On foot, public transport or in vehicles) outside of the home, activities, including shopping. Clubs or other activities of the person choice. This may mean supporting them to make arrangements. Where a person cannot get out to do their shopping staff persons may be requested to do so on behalf of the client.

e).All staff are expected to be available for work 7 days per week including night duties unless otherwise agreed at the commencement of the post. To comply with availability unless annual leave has been placed and has been authorised. Work may be in the form of hourly work and or `sleep ins` and or `night wake` duties. This may include covering colleagues at short notice for sickness / emergencies. There is a `buddy` system in place for this process.

f).To visit the person in their home and provide access to correspondence and other written information, to assist with letter writing and making telephone calls. To act as companion to the person, providing news, information and assist them to access other services. And only assist with finances if agreed in care plan and record all details as required.

g).Where stated in the persons care plan to assist and support with personal care and when trained to do so with medication. Some services will have MAR sheets to follow and comply with, to ensure any missed medication/signatures are recorded and reported to Line Manger. Staff must only support medicine activity in accordance with their training and the clients Support/Care Plan.