Care Support Worker

Daisy Chain are looking to recruit a Care Support Worker to join us at our Day Centre based in Norton, Stockton on Tees. The post holders will provide 1:1 or small group support to children/young people/adults with autism and support them to develop friendships and participate in after school and weekend social and recreational activities.

Hours: 15 hrs

Salary: 24,880 per annum (pro-rata)

The successful candidates will be required to apply for a Disclosure & Barring Service Enhanced Disclosure. Please note however that we are keen to fill these positions as soon as possible and so reserve the right to close applications and interview early if we have received enough suitable applications.

Key Tasks

• Provide 1:1 support to autistic and neurodivergent children, young people and/or adults and support them to develop friendships and participate in social and recreational activities.
• Work within a small group of autistic and neurodivergent children, young people and/or adults and support them to develop friendships, work together as a team and participate in social and recreational activities.
• Set-up and facilitate a range of social and recreational activities.
• Develop and maintain positive and supportive relationships with autistic children, young people and/or adults and their families.
• Contribute towards the protection of individuals from abuse by adhering to Daisy Chain’s Child and At-Risk Adults Safeguarding policies at all times.
• Ensure confidentiality is maintained and that Daisy Chain’s GDPR Policy is adhered to at all times.
• Maintain effective and accurate recording and reporting systems in line with Daisy Chain’s procedures and undertake other administrative tasks as required.
• Undertake any training and development deemed necessary for the pursuance of the post.
• Any other duties from time to time, commensurate with the level of the post.

Additional responsibilities:

• Comply with the Charities’ Health and Safety policy in all employment practices.
• Work in ways, which promote equality of opportunity, participation and responsibility.
• Maintain the integrity of the Daisy Chain brand in all internal and external communications.
• Maintain a proactive approach to your role and responsibilities along with a commitment to contribute and maintain the positive working ethos within the Charity.
• Ensure attendance at staff meetings.
• Work in a way that contributes to the continuous improvement of the Charity’s services and embraces the organisations quality initiatives.

This job outline is intended to indicate the broad range of responsibilities and requirements of the post. It is neither exhaustive nor exclusive but, while some variation can be expected in particular duties, the outline is considered to provide a reasonable general description of the post.

Person Specification

Successful candidates will have a strong work ethic, and share our Company values of Passionate, Inclusive, Empowering, Ambitious, Open and Innovative. If you have worked in a similar setting before all the better, but most importantly we are looking for people who share our Ethos of improving the lives of families affected by Autism.

Experience

• Experience of face to face work with children, young people or adults (E & A/I).
• Experience of working with individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or a related Neurodevelopmental Disorder (D & A/I).
• Experience of planning and facilitating activities that are suitable for a range of ages (D & I).

Qualifications

• Level 2 qualification in childcare/education/health & social care or equivalent (E & A).
• First Aid (D & A).

Knowledge

• Knowledge of current legislation relating to work with children and young people (E&T).
• Knowledge & understanding of safeguarding (D & T).
• Knowledge & understanding of autism & neurodiversity (D & T).
• Knowledge of confidentiality and GDPR-(E&A).

Other

• Understanding of and commitment to the aims, ethos and philosophy of Daisy Chain-E&I.
• Clean full driving license with own transport-D&A.
• Ability to work flexibly to meet the needs of the service-E&I.
• Ability to work well independently and as part of a team-E&I.
• Ability and willingness to work during the evening and weekends, including Sundays – E&A.

Company Benefits

• Enhanced holiday leave of 33 days annual leave (pro rata for part time employees) rising to 35 after 5 years’ service.
• Birthday day off.
• A bespoke induction plan specific to you and your role which starts as soon as a job offer is accepted.
• Alongside your induction plan new members of staff have a 6-month induction programme and planned meetings with their line manager to ensure the employee is settling in and offer any support needed to fulfil their role.
• Learning journal to be completed independently with support from your line manager, designed to increase your confidence, knowledge and understanding of autism and other neurodiversities.
• Ongoing training and development.
• Our Employee Assistance Programme offers a full range of confidential services designed to ensure you receive professional support that may affect work and home life.
• Company Pension Scheme.
• Staff discount.
• Free on-site car parking and refreshments.
• Social and charitable events.
• Company sick Pay after successful completion of probationary period.
• Savings Club.
• Give as you earn scheme for staff to make donation to a charity of their choice if they wish.
• If your role requires membership of a professional Body we will pay your membership fees.

ETHOS & CULTURE

I am passionate about improving the lives of Autistic children and adults and committed to Daisy Chain’s values, culture, and ethos. I will represent Daisy Chain in a positive manner and will always behave professionally. I will demonstrate empathy and support towards families and collaborate with staff and volunteers in the Daisy Chain team.

Vision: “Our shared vision is for every person we support to live a life they enjoy and is meaningful to them at every stage.”

Mission: “To support and empower autistic and neurodivergent individuals through the provision of holistic person-centred services, whilst promoting training, wellbeing, inclusion and acceptance regionally and nationwide.”

Values: Passionate; Inclusive; Empowering; Ambitious; Open; Innovative.

To be considered for the role click on the apply button above and submit your CV and details alongside a covering letter detailing with examples how you meet the person specification for the role. If you have any questions or require further information please contact us on 01642 531248.

We are committed to equality of opportunity for all and do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation or marital status. If you require any adjustments to the recruitment process, to enable you to perform to the best of your ability, please let us know when submitting your CV.