Social Care Assistant in Stornoway

Official title: Social Care Assistant, Goathill Campus (3582)

Location: Goathill Campus, Lewis | Employment information: Permanent, part time, 24 hours per week

The post supports Adults with Support Needs through purposeful, person-centred care. It requires someone able to combine direct support with accurate documentation, appropriate escalation of concerns and participation in a team’s ongoing learning. The work may include personal care, help with daily living and support in a person’s home or alternative accommodation, always within the relevant care plan, risk assessment and agreed protocols.

Responsibilities

• Work with colleagues to help Adults with Support Needs use local resources and facilities, building inclusion, independence and progress towards planned outcomes.
• Contribute to activities that reflect individual needs and assist the service to introduce appropriate new possibilities for people using it.
• Support Social Care Workers and Day Care Officers in their key-working responsibilities and complete tasks assigned within that arrangement.
• Maintain well-managed service-user records and contribute to written material for annual reviews, case conferences, risk assessments and care plans.
• Report incidents, accidents, disclosures, significant developments or observations of poor practice to the Senior Social Care Worker or Team Leader.
• Promote health and emotional wellbeing, including agreed support around medication, appointments, enablement, rehabilitation and continued skills where relevant.
• Provide personal, nutritional, physical, domestic or other daily-living support in line with the level of need detailed in a person’s care plan.
• Take part in supervision, staff meetings, training and performance-appraisal activity to develop practice knowledge and meet agreed objectives.
• Assist volunteers and students; where a valid driving licence is held, undertake escort and driving duties as required.

Qualifications

• Hold a minimum SVQ II in Care or an equivalent qualification.
• Where the qualification is not already held, be able to undertake and achieve it within 36 months after SSSC registration.
• Have experience of providing personal care, listed as an essential criterion in the person specification.
• Meet the legal requirement for membership of the Protecting Vulnerable Groups Scheme for regulated work with Protected Adults.
• Maintain SSSC registration when it is required for the post and keep the related professional-development record needed for ongoing compliance.
• Desirable additions include experience of supporting adults with support needs and experience of following care planning.
• Desirable knowledge includes risk assessments, relevant legislation and best-practice guidance.

Skills and Competencies

• Understand the rights and responsibilities of people with support needs and apply confidentiality in daily work.
• Use effective interpersonal skills, clear communication and attentive listening when working with people, families and colleagues.
• Gather and retain information, follow instructions and translate agreed plans into reliable day-to-day support.
• Work constructively as part of a team while showing respect and professional values towards Adults with Support Needs.
• Respond appropriately when behaviours challenge services, using the person-centred approaches set out in plans and protocols.
• Bring flexibility, empathy, a positive attitude and respect for others to changing support needs and work settings.
• Gaelic communication, sign-language ability, creative skills and a full UK driving licence are desirable rather than essential attributes.

Benefits and Employment Information

• The advertised annual salary for this 24-hour post is £19,951 to £20,714, inclusive of a £1,944 Distant Islands Allowance.
• The post is permanent and part time at 24 hours per week; appointment is at the first point of the grade with annual incremental progression stated in the advert.
• The council’s published employee information describes annual leave and public-holiday entitlement on a pro-rata basis for part-time employees, together with the Local Government Pension Scheme for non-teaching staff.
• Published workforce support includes development options, an Employee Assistance Programme and policies supporting work-life balance, subject to the relevant terms and service needs.
• The advert states that sponsorship is not available or offered in connection with this post.

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