Team Leader / Senior Support Worker in Southampton

Location: New Alresford, Hampshire. SO24

Days & Hours: Up to 128 hours per 4 week cycle (average of 36 hours per week including Deputy Team Leader hours). Flexibility may be required on the start and finish times to meet Tristan's individual needs. To participate in the on call rota alongside the Team Leader and Nurse Advisor. Part-time applications accepted.

Pay:

• £17.00 per hour, Monday to Friday days
• Waking nights £19.00 per hour
• Weekend Days and Bank Holidays £NLW (currently £12.71 p/h for workers age 21 and over)
• Sleeping Nights Monday to Thursday (between 11pm and 7am) £NLW (currently £12.71 p/h for workers age 21 and above) + £1 per hour
• Weekend and Bank Holiday Sleeping Nights (Friday to Sunday and Bank or Public holidays, between 11pm and 7am) £31.20 per shift

Driver required: Essential (will need own car to get to work as the client lives in a rural setting with no public transport)

Essential Experience: Previous experience of working with children/young adults with neuro disability.

Desirable: Experience of and qualifications in caring for children/young people with severe disabilities. PEG experience.

Pets: 1 Family dog, very friendly but does bark.

Accommodation (while on duty): Fully adapted family home, with separate Carer's entrance and Carer's room and kitchen facilities.

Interviews Week Commencing: As and when applications are received. Interviews may be completed via Microsoft Teams.

Start Date: ASAP (subject to satisfactory employment checks)

Tristan is a young man born in 2000, who due to an injury at birth has complex physical, psychological and communication needs. Tristan thoroughly enjoys being outdoors rather than indoors and requires help to plan his weekly outdoor activities such as theatre trips, shopping and day services. You will need to be able to drive his adapted vehicle, as getting out and about is very important to him. He is gastrostomy fed and dependent on his wheelchair for mobility. He requires assistance with his personal care tasks, activities of daily living and leisure pursuits to enable him to maintain and increase his independence and bring more structure and routine to his day. The team work 2:1 care due to moving and handling requirements.

The Deputy Team Leader will be required to assist the Team Leader run the care team, covering when the Team Leader is not available, supporting with managing the rota to include finding cover for any absences and be on call for any staff shortages. This is alongside the role of Support Worker where you will be required to support Tristan with all aspects of daily living and when out in the community and to pursue social outings. Team members must be able to drive the wheelchair adapted vehicle as getting out and about is very important to him.

A position on this team will suit someone who is calm but very proactive and able to bring lots of enthusiasm to the role. This is a wonderful opportunity to join a supportive family and care team where you can make a real difference to Tristan's life by maximising his opportunities and promoting his independence wherever possible. It is a truly rewarding role for someone who has good organisation skills, is able to communicate effectively and has an ability to work with patience, tact, understanding, warmth and compassion.

Benefits:

• Pay Rates listed above
• On-going training & support provided
• 5.6 weeks annual leave pro rata
• Sick Pay
• Pension (subject to qualifying status)
• Free DBS check

In order to promote continuity of our high care standards, you will be offered:

• Induction
• Relevant training opportunities (including The Care Certificate)
• Regular clinical supervision/review meetings
• On-going support from a dedicated Team Leader, Case Manager and HR department

Safeguarding: ILS is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our Clients within the activities we undertake, and ILS expects all our Clients employees and workers to share this commitment. The suitability of all prospective employees or workers will be assessed during the recruitment process in line with this commitment. This position will require:

• Proof of eligibility to work in the UK
• Satisfactory references, including your last employer
• An enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Certificate. A conviction will not necessarily prevent you from being employed.

About You: It would be great to receive your application if you have the following skills/behaviours:

• Must be able to work with specialist equipment (training will be provided).
• A Handling Management Plan designed to reduce the risk of handling injuries may require you to bend, kneel, squat or lunge to ensure good posture during handling tasks.
• Experience of following appropriate care plans for clients.
• Able to practice as a competent support worker and provide evidence to demonstrate this.
• Able to maintain effective working relationships.
• Good verbal & written communication skills, IT literate and the ability to keep adequate written records of care given.
• Good organisational skills who can adhere to standards and quality requirements.
• Actively creates an inclusive environment respecting diversity.
• Can demonstrate commitment and passion for meeting our Clients needs.
• Can demonstrate empathy and understanding in an appropriate and professional manner.
• Understanding of the importance of feedback to qualified members of the team.
• Confident and comfortable working in Clients own home and sensitive to his needs and wishes and those of his family.
• Able to demonstrate a good understanding of the importance of maintaining an excellent level of confidentiality and to respect our Client and his family's need for privacy.
• Happy to learn new things in accordance with our clients programme. Training will be given.
• Aptitude and desire to work with young people with complex needs.
• Able to think creatively and to use initiative.
• Patient and tolerant.
• Friendly, approachable with a proactive and encouraging approach.
• Water confident to assist with hydrotherapy.
• Punctual, patient, reliable and trustworthy.
• Cheerful, caring and positive attitude.
• Basic understanding of the principles of rehabilitation.
• Proactive approach to developing an appropriate range of activities.
• Keep own record of hours worked.
• Willingness to work flexibly and cover shifts, sometimes at short notice.
• A full driving licence (endorsements to be disclosed) and able to drive your own car for work purposes and also the Tristan's adapted vehicle.
• YOU MUST BE ABLE TO DRIVE TO APPLY FOR THIS ROLE.
• Non-smoker - This post operates a non-smoking environment.
• Experience of formatting rotas.

Desirable:

• Experience of managing or leading a team.
• Experience of supervising others.
• Experience of PEG feeding. Training will be provided.
• Experience of and qualifications in caring for young people with severe disabilities.
• Experience of carrying out therapy programmes.
• Ability to work additional hours as required.
• Able to work flexible hours, sometimes at short notice.
• Previous experience of using specialist equipment along with IT equipment with disabled people.
• Basic knowledge of therapies, such as hydrotherapy.
• Previous experience of hoisting and use of specialist equipment with disabled people.
• Experience of carrying out physiotherapy and/or multi-sensory programmes.

We are committed to equality of opportunity for all staff and applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, marriage and civil partnerships and religion and belief.