Senior Carer / Senior Support Worker

Milton Keynes, United Kingdom | Posted on 04/08/2024

To provide leadership to the care staff within the service and to provide care in accordance with current best practices, according to policy and procedures, agreed standards, legislative requirements and relevant regulations, under the direction of the Manager. To supervise the care services within the organisation in accordance with agreed standards. To maintain skills at a current level, and undertake such training and development as may, from time-to-time, be required to maintain practices as up to date.

The Senior Carer’s responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

• Ensure service users are at the heart of the care delivery and their wishes and preferences enhance their wellbeing.
• To supervise staff and ensure that all staff contribute to the efficient running of the service.
• Be responsible for promoting and protecting the welfare of those individuals supported by the service.

Develop effective working relationships with other employees within the service. Work in cooperation with members of multidisciplinary teams to maximise opportunities for service users.

Other duties and responsibilities to be undertaken may include any (or all) of the items in the following list:

• Seek opportunities for personal and professional growth.

Attend statutory training and any other training as directed by management.

Other duties and responsibilities to be undertaken may include any (or all) of the items in the following list:

• Seek opportunities for personal and professional growth.
• Be a role model for other carers and be an ambassador for the service.
• Be professional, polite and reasonable at all times.

Have a knowledge of, and work within, the Fundamental Standards. Understand the regulatory framework that governs the service, including the role of the CQC and its requirements. Commit to achieving the relevant qualifications commensurate with the role. Attend statutory training and any other training as directed by management. Understand and follow all policies and procedures relevant to the role. Be open to learning opportunities.

Specific Requirement for Skills:

• Good English - written and verbal.
• Vocational qualification level 3 Health and Social Care.
• Supervisory or management qualification.
• Maintain all care plans/care records in accordance with the service’s policy and audit care records following company policy to ensure compliance.

• Ability to induct and orientate new employees to the job role and service.
• Organise and plan supervision and appraisals for care staff.
• Provide and oversee staff providing people with support/assistance as they accomplish daily tasks, including bathing, eating, dressing, grooming and using the bathroom.
• Dispense medication following the service’s policies and procedures.
• Communicate any problems, concerns or changes to service users’ family members as needed.

Senior Carers need to build rapport with service users by establishing personal connections and showing interest in their lives. The post-holder should recognise the importance of effective communication within the multidisciplinary team, with service users and their families/friends whilst recognising people’s needs for alternative methods of communication, and respond accordingly. To greet visitors and show prospective service users and families the facilities as required.

Senior Carers need to be able to adapt to, and address situations quickly. Plan, develop, implement and assess approaches to promote health and wellbeing, whilst recognising and reporting situations where there might be a need for protection.

• Previous experience of working in a similar environment.
• Previous experience of working in a similar supervisory role.
• Experience of working with service users, in particular, those that may have additional support needs.
• Knowledge of rota planning ensuring adequate staff on duty with correct skill mix and fair allocation of off duty/annual leave.

• Working Together: Involve service users, families, external agencies and colleagues. Speak up when things go wrong. Respect and Dignity. Understand person-centred care and can demonstrate treating people as individuals and respecting choices. Promoting independence and encouraging appropriate risk taking.
• Everybody Counts: Ensuring no one is discriminated against or excluded. Understand human rights and impact on care delivery. Facilitating people to ‘speak up’ about concerns and acting upon them.
• Commitment to Quality of Care: Striving for quality in everything we do recognising and understanding what quality in care means for people using the services. Being accepting about criticism and focusing on improvement. Being open to new opportunities for learning and identifying the limits of skills and knowledge.
• Compassion: Treating people with kindness. Understanding the importance of empathy in all areas of employment. Understanding the values of others and always providing a caring service.
• Improving Licence: Focus on how things could be done better and sharing ideas. Understanding of wellbeing and what is important to people using the service. Improving outcomes for people. Ensuring appropriate services are provided for people using the services.

• Employment References.
• Clear Police Checks.
• English Language Tests or Equivalent.
• Mandatory Training with Certificates.
• Clinical Skills Training with Certificates.