Community Support Worker (Derby)

Salary: £12.08 per hour (due to increase in line with the national minimum wage)

Hours: Full-time, part-time and casual positions available

We are a leading autism charity - we exist to ensure autistic people can live their lives with dignity, choice and independence.

Working as a Community Support Worker for Autism East Midlands means you will be providing exceptional support for individuals with Autism. No two days are the same. Your job will be key in encouraging independence, boosting service users’ self-confidence, and keeping them safe. As a Community Support Worker, you will assist individuals based on their individual need, possible elements of personal care, assisting them with daily living skills, helping them in the community and doing the things they love which can range from the cinema, arts & crafts, sports, shopping and much more.

We have full time, part time and casual positions available in the Derby area. Must be able to drive and have their own car.

What can you expect from us?

• Becoming an Autism practitioner could be just the start of your career, we have a dedicated career pathway and there are opportunities to progress within the organisation.
• We offer an extensive training program and can support you in gaining NVQ qualifications.
• If you are new to care, it’s important you demonstrate the right values, and if you are successful at interview your first 12 weeks with us you will be undertaking your care certificate qualification to enable you develop your knowledge and skills working in Health & Social Care to become an autism practitioner upon completion of your probation.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• To ensure high standards of professional care and practice for service users are established and maintained. Including providing appropriate attention to independent living, physical, cultural, social, learning, vocational aspiration, recreational and emotional need.
• To ensure high standards of cleanliness across the setting, being mindful of IPC measures in the service you work.
• Adhere to developing positive working relationships with service users, families and team members, including the ability to know your own limitations and seek support when required.
• To familiarise with Autism East Midlands systems and processes in delivering high standards of care and support.
• To ensure all records that you maintain are up to date and are kept secure and confidential, adhering to general data protection regulations (GDPR).
• To liaise with families, the clinical team and external agencies in a professional manner and record appropriately within the bounds of confidentiality.
• To further develop an understanding of autism and implement in practice.
• To further develop an understanding of CALM and Positive Behaviour Support and embed within the service.
• To complete all elements of the Care Certificate and mandatory training.
• To access internal IT systems regularly and to log incidents on reporting systems.
• To ensure compliance with the service finance procedures.
• To work flexibly as required by the rota and the terms of your contract, and as directed by your manager.
• To effectively communicate within the team to ensure continuity of care is maintained.
• To develop an understanding of communication methods of those supported in the service.
• To work in a safe way, following individual support plans and risk assessments as well as company policies and procedures.
• To support service users with personal care when required.
• To provide support and assistance in line with individual support plans.
• To adhere to the Autism East Midlands Code of Conduct.
• Support and encourage educational engagement.

What are we looking for?

• You’ll have great communication skills.
• You’ll embody our values; you’ll be kind, dedicated and have a passion for people.
• You’ll bring passion and enthusiasm to the role.
• You’ll be keen to develop and work towards an NVQ in Health & Social Care.
• You’ll be comfortable with IT and have experience using emails.
• If you’ve previously worked as a support worker or in Health & Social care and have knowledge of CQC requirements this will be beneficial; alternatively, lived experience is welcomed.

If this sounds like you, we would love you to get in touch!

Please be aware, we are unable to accept applications from candidates who have restricted hours, and we are unable to offer sponsorships.

What we offer:

• Extensive induction with autism specialist training.
• Fully paid for Care Certificate, which is essential for those wanting to pursue a career in health and social care.
• Free initial DBS Check.
• Friendly and supportive work environment.
• Refer a friend scheme worth £500.
• Access to the Blue Light Card scheme.
• Employee Assistance Programme.

We reserve the right to close the advert once sufficient applications have been received, therefore, we advise you to submit your application as soon as possible.

Autism East Midlands is an equal opportunities employer, and we welcome applications from anyone interested in working with people with autism. We are also a Disability Confident Employer. If you meet the person specification criteria and are eligible for the Disability Confident scheme, we will guarantee you an interview – just let us know in your covering letter or in your email when you send us your application form.

Either way, don’t forget to tell us if you are applying under the Disability Confident scheme.

Autism East Midlands is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. If you’re a successful applicant you will need an Enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service check; this cost will be met by Autism East Midlands. The successful applicant will need to sign up to the annual DBS Update Service at a current cost of £13 per year.

We require evidence to show your Right to Work in the UK (if applicable).

How to apply

To apply for this role, please fill in the fields opposite and upload your CV.

Got a question? Email recruitment@aem.org.uk.