Care Assistant in Guildford

Job Overview

• To enable and/or assist individuals to remain in the community, be supported and maintained safely in their own homes, thereby enhancing quality of life.
• Encouraging service users’ individuality and independence.
• Helping service users maintain relationships with neighbours, the neighbourhood and familiar activities and surroundings, providing social contact, especially for those who live alone.
• Assisting other care workers and professionals to provide care for the service user.
• Being the face of ‘care in the community’ and acting as the company’s representative.

Job Description

1. To visit nominated Service Users, at times directed by the Care Coordinator and management.

   Be vigilant for signs of distress or anxiety in Service Users; any deterioration in physical and/or mental health, or safety of the environment, and report these as a matter of urgency to your manager or coordinator in their absence.

   Carry out all tasks demonstrating respect for the privacy, dignity and value of all users, irrespective of severity, disability or personal circumstances.

   Summon appropriate assistance in an emergency. All actions should sustain, support and enhance the independence of Service Users, as specified in their care plan.

2. Personal Care (only where specified on the care plan and subject to appropriate review):

   • Assist Service Users in/out of bed, chairs, etc., using agreed procedures; assist with turning to relieve pressure areas.
   • Assist with dressing, care of aids and personal equipment (hearing aids, glasses, dentures, prosthesis, etc.).
   • Assist with all aspects of personal hygiene: washing, shaving, showering, etc.
   • Assist with feeding and feeding assistance.
   • Assist with accessing toilet facilities, emptying commodes and disposing of incontinence materials, using agreed health and safety procedures.
   • Encourage Service Users to maximise their own abilities and skills.

3. Domestic tasks:

   • Maintain cleanliness of the Service User’s home to meet health and safety requirements.
   • Operate source of warmth where directed.
   • Launder and iron clothes and/or bed linen where appropriate home facilities are available.
   • Undertake essential shopping and payment of bills.
   • Prepare or reheat meals provided and/or demonstrate to the Service User where directed.

4. Social:

   • Actively encourage Service Users, according to their capabilities, to participate in all aspects of daily living activities.
   • Develop and maintain personal contact with the Service User through talking and listening.
   • Provide support as part of a caring team, liaising with informal carers, other agencies or professionals as necessary.

5. Collaboration with Other Agencies:

   Assist management to maintain good relationships with other personnel involved in the care of the Service User, i.e. Community Nurses, Social Workers, G.P.s, etc., as part of a caring team.

6. General Duties:

   • Maintain accurate, legible records and submit them on a regular basis to the manager.
   • Participate in Classique Care Service’s Electronic Call Monitoring system as appropriate.
   • Maintain confidentiality at all times.
   • Advise Service Users of the complaints procedures where appropriate.
   • Participate in all training courses, including NVQ2 in Health and Social Care.
   • Comply with legal requirements (Domiciliary Care Agency (Wales) Regulations 2004) and National Minimum Standards; Health and Safety at Work Act, etc.
   • Participate in meetings as appropriate and attend regular supervision sessions.
   • Any other duties reasonably falling within the scope of the post.

   Be committed to and promote Classique Care Service’s Equal Opportunity and Anti‑Discriminatory Policies and Procedures in relation to service provision and employment issues.

7. Decision Making Authority

   Responsible for day‑to‑day decisions within the confines of the duties allocated.

Qualifications

• NVQ Level 2 Health and Social Care.
• Understanding of relevant Health and Safety Legislation for Movement and Handling.
• Complete NVQ2 within two years of course commencement if not already qualified.
• Understanding of the effects of ageing, disability, incapacity and illness on a Service User’s well‑being.
• Previous experience working in home care settings.

Additional Information

• Working with the elderly (formal or informal) desirable.
• Ability to handle emergency situations.
• Good interpersonal skills.
• Good knowledge of equal opportunities.
• Ability to work as a team member.
• Ability to work under own initiative.
• Detailed understanding of other cultures and familiarity with diversity.
• Use of own vehicle essential.

Special Conditions

This post involves substantial contact with the elderly, sick or disabled; hence, Classique Care Services requires that by virtue of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975, the Police Act 1997, applicants disclose any criminal convictions, bind‑over orders or cautions, including those normally regarded as spent. The relevant section must be completed on the application form – incomplete applications will be returned. If successful, the applicant will be subject to a Criminal Records Bureau Disclosure.