Support Worker (Stakeford Nurseries) - 22.5 Hours

Job Details

• Hours: 22.5 hours per week over 3 days (Working days to be discussed at interview)
• Term: Permanent
• Location: Stakeford Nurseries
• Responsible To: Horticultural Services Manager

Job Purpose

To work as part of a team producing vegetables and plants for sale and assisting in the supervision of clients within the Horticulture Department, delivering training programmes and maintaining production and sales in line with agreed targets.

Area of Involvement

Working within a small community horticultural project growing a variety of plants and vegetables for wholesale and retail customers. Providing support and training to enable adults who may have mental health needs or have special educational needs to gain skills, knowledge and confidence, with a focus on our retail outlet. To promote their independence and well-being, supporting them to obtain or regain the skills to continue on to work should they choose.

Knowledge, Skills & Experience Required

• Relevant horticultural skills and experience preferable.
• Social care experience preferable.
• Full driving licence preferable.
• Customer service and money handling skills in a customer facing environment with working knowledge of modern EPOS systems preferable.
• Category D1 (entitlement to drive a minibus) on driving licence preferable.
• Ability to complete inventory and audit trail paperwork.
• Ability to formulate and implement action plans.
• Ability to complement the skills of the current team.
• Ability to work either alone or in a team.
• A commitment to undertake appropriate training is essential.
• A non-judgemental approach to working with people who may experience mental distress.
• Ability to support and encourage others to develop their own skills.

Working Relationship/Communication

To work within an already established team; to work in collaboration with other professionals ensuring good lines of communication, both written and verbal, thus ensuring a multi-professional concept of care is delivered; to communicate effectively with users and carers in promoting an awareness of their individualised action plans; to communicate with and serve members of the public as appropriate.

Key Result Areas

• Work with the Horticultural Team to produce vegetables and plants for sale.
• Support the Horticultural Team in providing advice, guidance and support to people who experience mental ill health, who attend Stakeford Nurseries as either a day service or an employment training placement.
• Participate in planning and review meetings with Care Managers or other official representatives of funding agencies.
• Deal appropriately with customers and members of the public.
• Be flexible with working hours as you may be expected to work weekends during the summer months.
• Participate in the maintenance of the Nursery site.
• Take responsibility for the health and safety of areas in which you work and the activities that are carried out in them.
• Participate in the planning and development of services and activities in Stakeford Nurseries.
• Participate as appropriate in the wider activities of Blyth Star Enterprises.
• Always act as an ambassador for Stakeford Nurseries and Blyth Star Enterprises.
• Undertake training as indicated by Supervisors or the Management Team.
• Ability to practically demonstrate horticultural and customer service skills to the clients in the horticulture and retail departments.
• Keep within the agreed delegated financial budget and targets.
• Safe/correct use of equipment within the department and the relevant maintenance procedures.
• Assist in the ongoing planning and development of the Nurseries, being responsible for the contribution and dissemination of information to individuals and organisations.
• Adhere to all statutory requirements e.g. Health & Safety, COSHH and policies of Blyth Star Enterprises.
• Participation in a formal appraisal system.
• Take accountability for the department in the absence of the Senior Supervisor or Horticultural Service Manager.
• Any other appropriate duties under the direction of your Line Manager.

Most Challenging Part of Your Job

• Responsibility for delivering a progressive service that is unique in its approach to meeting the needs of people with enduring mental health problems.
• Maintain the balance between support/training and production.
• Maintaining a positive approach and acting as a role model at all times.
• Adapting to a constantly changing working environment.