Support Worker in Stevenage

We're looking for a kind, compassionate and resilient Support Worker to join our Oakview Service in Hertfordshire. £14,404.00 per annum, working 20 hours per week. Want to feel like you're making a difference? You'll feel at home here.

Making you feel at home here means helping you thrive in every way. That's why we offer a wide range of benefits, award-winning Learning & Development and a culture that welcomes all. These aren't token gestures - we've thought long and hard about how best to support our team. After all, our people are doing something amazing: helping to transform lives every day.

All applicants must be legally eligible to work in the UK by the start of employment as Look Ahead are not able to offer sponsorship. Oakview is a supported living project for 10 customers with mild to moderate learning disabilities. It provides a 24/7 support service, with an emphasis on choice and control for customers, enabling them to achieve greater independence, improved quality of life and integration into the wider community.

Support Workers will provide support to customers to help them develop the life skills they require to meet the assessed needs of the customers of the service. This includes providing personal care, domestic duties, emotional and social support in a person-centred way. Staff will work with customers to promote social inclusion and alongside other members of the team to promote independent living, encouraging customers to maximise their skills and choices.

The service is staffed 24/7 and this post-holder will be required to cover an average of at least one sleep-in per week (pro rata).

What you'll do:

• If a need arises, deliver all aspects of support to enable a customer to develop independent living skills as appropriate to the individual needs of the customer. This includes delivering personal and physical care as appropriate;
• Support customers to undertake all domestic tasks wherever possible, including practical assistance where they have not yet developed the skills, to ensure customers enjoy a high quality of accommodation;
• Participate in support planning and risk management, of named customers, as directed by the service management;
• Ensure the safety and security of the customers and the premises whilst on shift;
• Enable customers to make full use of community facilities by providing support that enables maximum external engagement;
• Report any observations relating to customers welfare;
• Adhere to all the policies and procedures of Look Ahead Care, Support & Housing plus those specific to the project including any statutory requirements;
• Ensure Look Ahead Health and Safety policies and local protocols are adhered to, at all times;
• Maintain records as required at the project under the direction of management;
• Participate in handovers, team meetings/reviews and the general development of the service;
• Undertake any other duties consistent with the grade and nature of the post as may be reasonably assigned.

This is not an exhaustive list of all the duties and responsibilities that may be required from time to time and is subject to change in accordance with the needs of Look Ahead.

About you:

• Prefers working as part of a group or team;
• Flexible;
• Open to feedback and self development;
• Thrives on change and enjoys dynamic diverse environments;
• Is respectful and sensitive in style of communication;
• Non-judgemental outlook;
• Ability to cope positively with challenging and diverse behaviour.

What you'll bring:

• Essential:
• NVQ Level 2 or equivalent or experience within charity/social care sector;
• Ability to complete written records of support to customers;
• Basic knowledge of Microsoft Office applications and able to input information clearly and in good English;
• Ability to communicate with colleagues, customers, family members and partner agencies, as required.

About us:

Look Ahead is a leading, not-for-profit care and support provider in London and the South East. Our vision is to build better lives through social care and housing in local communities. As an organisation we deliver over 100 services, providing support to thousands of customers each year. Our mission is to co-design and deliver services that offer innovative social care solutions and support people to thrive. We work across mental health, homelessness and complex needs, young people and care leavers and learning disabilities so there are plenty of opportunities to grow and progress your career with us.

We have a strong social purpose and we live and work by our values:

• We focus on Excellence and innovation.
• We are Caring and Compassionate.
• We are Inclusive and Trusted.
• We work in Partnership and are One-Team.

Look Ahead is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults at risk, and expects all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We reserve the right to close this advert early if we are able to appoint to the vacancy before the advertised closed date. We are committed to diversity and inclusion at work and are accredited with Silver in the Inclusive Employers Standard 2021. We are a proud member of the Employers Domestic Abuse Covenant and encourage applications from a diverse range of applicants of all backgrounds.