At a Glance
- Tasks: Support adults with learning disabilities through personal care and engaging social activities.
- Company: Join Portsmouth City Council, a people-focused organisation making a real difference.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, training opportunities, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Flexible hours and opportunities for career growth in a unique service.
- Why this job: Make a positive impact in the lives of individuals while developing your skills in social care.
- Qualifications: Experience in caring roles and strong communication skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 26473 - 28239 £ per year.
Russets is a purpose-built service in Hilsea that provides respite care for adults who have learning disabilities and live within the area of Portsmouth. In addition to this, Russets also provides adults with a learning disability with residential accommodation. Russets is the only unit of its kind in Portsmouth.
As a service, we take pride in our work by valuing others, focusing on what's important so that we make a real and positive difference.
Using a person-centred approach, you will look after the physical, emotional, cultural, and social needs of service users. This will include personal care, assisting clients at meal times, and all aspects of daily living. You will be providing person-centred care in the form of social activities which promote the individual's mental health and wellbeing and improve their quality of life. You will be a key worker to specific individuals, taking responsibility to ensure information about their health and wellbeing is recorded and communicated to the assistant managers and others as per our legal requirement under the Care Quality Commission (CQC). You have a responsibility to raise any concerns with a manager immediately.
You will look after the needs of a diverse group of service users with a wide range of care needs, including challenging behaviour. It will be your responsibility to ensure monitoring and hourly checks are carried out on individuals throughout the day and their care needs are met. The role will include some person moving and handling duties and the need for light food preparation.
Who is the person:
You will need to have the ability to converse at ease with customers and provide advice in accurate spoken English, as well as an understanding of the needs of people with different types of learning disabilities. You will have experience in a caring role as a formal paid or unpaid carer with an ability to monitor, recognise concerns, and produce accurate records. You will have an understanding of the importance of an individual's dignity, privacy, and choice and experience applying this in practice. Flexible and adaptable, you will be able to work as part of a team and use your own initiative. You will have good communication, interpersonal, and written skills and an understanding of the cultural and linguistic needs of people from a diverse range of backgrounds. You will be required to take part in training (on and off site) and development which will contribute towards your framework and study for an apprenticeship at level 2/3 in Social care and undertake learning to complete the Care Certificate. You will have the ability and skills to be trained and competent in the administration of medication and have the ability to deal with emergencies in a confident manner. You will understand the principles of client confidentiality and data protection.
Portsmouth City Council is a unique organisation, committed to making a difference, and is guided by core values that set who we are as people, what we stand for, and how we act. We are committed to our values of respect, integrity, collaboration, inclusivity, and being people-focused. These values set out how we can contribute to the success of the council and our own success as individuals.
Please ensure that you read the job profile for full details on the post. We are not able to offer sponsorship for this position.
You must demonstrate why you are suitable against each of the points described in the 'Who is the Person' points on the Job Profile using examples from your experience or transferable skills. This might be through qualifications or descriptive examples from your work/personal experience, which clearly illustrates what you did and the effect it had. If you apply without a detailed personal statement, it is unlikely that you will be successful.
Please note we reserve the right to close the advert early if we have a large number of applications. We are a disability confident employer and Armed Forces Covenant gold standard.
You will need to demonstrate that you have the Right to Work in the UK. No post will be offered without it. Portsmouth City Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of adults at risk and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Every post is subject to PCC and Portsmouth Safeguarding Adults Board safer recruitment procedures. Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) at Standard/Enhanced level will be required prior to any offer of employment and this post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
Support worker - Portsmouth employer: Portsmouth City Council
Portsmouth City Council is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment for its staff. With a strong commitment to employee development, you will have access to training opportunities, including apprenticeships in social care, while working in a purpose-built facility that makes a real difference in the lives of adults with learning disabilities. The council's core values of respect, integrity, and collaboration ensure that you will be part of a team that prioritises the well-being of both employees and service users alike.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Support worker - Portsmouth
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Portsmouth City Council.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Portsmouth City Council!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Portsmouth City Council, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Portsmouth City Council or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Support worker - Portsmouth
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Portsmouth City Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Portsmouth City Council! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Portsmouth City Council
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
