At a Glance
- Tasks: Support individuals with learning disabilities to develop independence through engaging activities.
- Company: Join a compassionate team dedicated to making a difference in the community.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days annual leave, health care, and a pension contribution.
- Other info: Flexible hours with opportunities for personal development and training.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by helping others achieve their personal goals and enhance their lives.
- Qualifications: Experience with learning disabilities and a Level 3 qualification in Health & Social Care is required.
The predicted salary is between 20000 - 22000 £ per year.
Base: Unit 1, Whitegates Enterprise Park, Killeavy Road, Newry, BT35 6UA
Hours: 30 hours per week per week, mainly weekday daytime hours, with occasional evenings, weekends and overnight residentials.
- Pension: 6% employer contribution (subject to conditions)
- Annual Leave: 25 days per annum + 11 statutory holidays (pro-rata)
- Health Care: Axa Business Care (subject to conditions)
Who We're Looking For:
Our Bolster Buddy service is aimed at reconnecting people with learning disabilities or support needs within the local community and developing their independence. The disability Support Worker will provide support for these individuals to reach their full potential through a range of different social activities, hobbies and passions which will help to develop and maintain everyday independent living skills and work towards meeting their personal goals.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
The people we support
- Develop and maintain a trusting and professional relationship with our Bolster Buddies and demonstrate a supportive and empathetic manner towards them.
- Ensure all support provided to our Bolster Buddies is service user focused and advocates respect, choice and independence.
- Explore setting goals and enable these to be met where possible.
- Deliver individual programmes of support to enhance and maximise the capabilities and independence of each Bolster Buddy.
- Involve each individual in all aspects of decision making in relation to the service they are receiving.
- Assist in planning, organising, and participating in individual or group activities and ensure the safe delivery and positive outcomes of the activity.
- Participate in monitoring and reviewing individual skills and needs of the Bolster Buddies.
- Offer advice and support for personal safety whilst promoting positive life choices and healthy lifestyles.
- Intervene appropriately to resolve any issues or problems that arise and work with the Buddies to provide the appropriate solutions for the wellbeing of everyone.
- Liaise with external organisations when required and build on relationships within the community.
- Participate in completing risk assessments where staff and Bolster Buddies are likely to be at risk or in a vulnerable situation.
- Support individuals to participate in all aspects of the Acorn Candles social enterprise, including the safe production, packaging, labelling, presentation and promotion of candles and reed diffusers, with a focus on developing skills, confidence, independence and meaningful work opportunities.
Administration
- Comply with the organisational policies and procedures.
- Participate in planning meetings and ensure a full-time table of activities is available to suit individual needs.
- Ensure daily records of activities for Bolster Buddies is documented and available to them and senior management.
- Willingness to undertake annual review meeting for Bolster Buddies using an MDT approach.
- Ability to record and deliver to the admin team weekly timesheets and monthly expenses.
Health and Safety
- Comply with Bolster Community Health and Safety Policy.
- Ensure all activities carried out are delivered in a manor which is safe for everyone.
- Report any damages or breakages within the building to senior staff.
- Ensure any spillages or breakages is cleaned up.
- Participate in cleaning as required to ensure safety for everyone and an agreed level of hygiene standards are maintained.
General
- Carry out any other duties relevant with this post
- Ability to undertake mandatory training.
- Willingness to enhance personal development
- Staff should be able to work as part of a team.
- Contribute to the team’s performance and take appropriate actions to maintain a high level of performance and positive team dynamics, particular through periods of change.
- Staff should be committed to attending staff meetings and well-being events organised by Bolster Community
- On occasions be available to work occasional evenings and weekends.
- Should hold a full driving license with access to a car.
- Promote a positive working environment where wellbeing for all is priority for delivering a high quality and professional service.
- Be aware of the importance of social inclusion for Bolster Buddies.
This Job description is neither exhaustive nor exclusive and may be reviewed depending upon operational requirements and staffing levels
- Previous experience of working with individuals with learning disabilities or additional support needs.
- Experience supporting individuals to develop independence and life skills within a community setting is important.
- Supporting participation in social, recreational, or community-based activities.
- Experience of working in a person-centred manner, promoting choice and independence.
- A relevant qualification at Level 3 or above in Health & Social Care, Learning Disability, or a related field is required.
- A commitment to ongoing training and professional development.
- Previous experience of working with individuals with learning disabilities or additional support needs.
- Experience supporting individuals to develop independence and life skills within a community setting is important.
- Supporting participation in social, recreational, or community-based activities.
- Experience of working in a person-centred manner, promoting choice and independence.
- A clear understanding of the needs and experiences of individuals with learning disabilities and additional support needs.
- Knowledge of person-centred approaches and the promotion of independence.
- An understanding of safeguarding principles and duty of care responsibilities.
- Awareness of the importance of inclusion, equality, and respect in service delivery.
- Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to build trusting and respectful relationships.
- Communicating effectively with individuals with a range of communication needs.
- The ability to support and motivate individuals to achieve personal goals and develop independence.
- Good organisational skills, including the ability to plan activities and manage time effectively.
- Accurate record keeping and the ability to follow procedures.
- Ability to work flexibly to meet the needs of the role, including evening and weekend hours when necessary.
- A full current driving licence and access to a vehicle (or access to suitable transport to fulfil the post’s regional travel requirements).
- Additional training in areas such as autism awareness, positive behaviour support, mental health, or first aid would be beneficial.
- Experience of delivering one-to-one and small group support programmes.
- Involvement in goal setting and support planning processes.
- Experience liaising with families, carers, or external organisations.
- Familiarity with positive behaviour support approaches.
- An understanding of risk assessment and safe working practices within a care or community setting.
- Problem-solving skills and the ability to use initiative.
Disability Support Worker (DSW) in Newry employer: Bolster Community
Bolster Community is an exceptional employer dedicated to fostering a supportive and innovative work environment for those passionate about enhancing the lives of older people. Located in Newry, our organisation offers a collaborative culture that values employee input and encourages professional growth through meaningful community engagement and partnership development. With competitive benefits including a generous pension scheme, ample annual leave, and health care support, we empower our team to make a real difference while enjoying a fulfilling work-life balance.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Disability Support Worker (DSW) in Newry
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Bolster Community.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Bolster Community!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Bolster Community, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Bolster Community or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Bolster Community:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Bolster Community! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Bolster Community
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
