Care Assistant (Harrow & Brent)

We are offering exciting new roles for care and support workers in Bluebird Care (Harrow & Brent). Caring for individuals with a range of different needs in their own homes.

Purpose of role

To support customers with all aspects of their day to day living, so they can enjoy the best possible quality of life. You will mostly work independently with the customer(s) in their own home. Providing care and support offers many rewards, but can also be challenging. Compassion, good communication skills and a calm and caring manner are essential to be successful as a Care Assistant.

Key responsibilities

• To provide safe, reliable, compassionate care and support to meet the individual needs and wishes of each customer.
• Respect each customer's choice about how their care and support is given and promote their dignity at all times.
• Report any changes or causes for concern to your line manager promptly.
• Be clear about when to seek help and advice in order to keep customers safe and promote their well-being.

Duties

• Give non-discriminatory care and support that values the whole person rather than merely seeing a list of care needs.
• Carefully listen and observe how each customer prefers their care and support to be delivered on a day to day basis.
• Help them make their own decisions so they can be as independent as possible.
• Follow the instructions in the care and support plan agreed with each customer.
• Assist with personal care such as showering and bathing, dressing and grooming, dental hygiene, toileting and continence care.
• Assist with medicines, ordering and collecting prescriptions or returning unwanted medicines to the pharmacy for safe disposal.
• Support the customer to eat and drink well, including planning meals, shopping, preparing and serving food and drinks.
• Safely use aids and personal equipment in a manner that respects the dignity of customers.
• Perform housework such as dusting, tidying, washing floors, vacuuming, doing laundry and ironing.
• Engage in social and physical activities or mental stimulation.
• Support a customer through temporary and terminal illness, including end of life care.
• Record and report all relevant customer information.
• Keep all information about customers and their families secure and confidential.
• Work well as part of the Bluebird Care team.
• Follow Bluebird Care policies, procedures and guidance at all times.
• Take part in staff and customer meetings.
• Attend training activities, supervision and appraisal meetings.

This list is not exhaustive and you may be asked to carry out additional duties. We will provide you with full training in line with regulatory requirements.

Role Specification

This provides a picture of the skills, knowledge and experience you must have to carry out the role. You should demonstrate how you meet the ‘essential criteria’ by giving examples where possible.

Personal Values and Attributes

• Kind and Caring – compassionate towards others who need support.
• Professional and Respected - excellent time keeper, reliable and understanding of professional boundaries.
• Dedicated to non-discriminatory care practice.
• Innovative – strong problem-solver.
• Supportive – a team player and fantastic communicator.
• Fun and Passionate – understand that homecare can bring joy and happiness to a customer's day.

Knowledge and Understanding

• General understanding of the needs of people who require care and support.
• Respect for the rights of our customers.
• Understanding the importance of giving the best possible care and support centred on the individual needs and wishes of each customer.
• Understanding about the importance of confidentiality.

Experience and skills

• Ability to listen, communicate clearly and build positive working relationships.
• Ability to give care and support to customers with all aspects of their daily living.
• Good organisational skills.
• Ability to use own initiative and work alone or as part of a team.
• Numerical skills to support customers in managing their money.
• Ability to keep written records in clear English.
• Willingness to follow Bluebird Care’s policies and participate in relevant training.
• Good stamina and level of fitness to meet the physical demands of the job.

Additional requirements

• All staff are expected to meet regulatory training standards.
• Care Assistants must attend and successfully complete initial induction training.
• You must be willing to participate in ongoing training.
• You will need to obtain an Enhanced Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service.
• Valid driving licence with fewer than 6 points.
• Class 1 business insurance and current MOT (if using own car for business purposes).