Support Worker (16 hours) in Newtownards

Positive Futures is positive about people. We transform peoples lives every day. We support people who have a learning disability, acquired brain injury and autism. The bottom line is this: wonderful things can and do happen when people get the right support, at the right time, from the right people.

Purpose of Role

To provide high quality support to people to enable them to live independently and to have choice and control over all aspects of their life in order to deliver our Mission Positive Futures for people with a learning disability, acquired brain injury or autism working together to achieve dreams and transform lives.

About The Role

What does a Support Worker do? Put simply, your job is to support people to live the life they want. To help you to do this, you will:

• receive a full and paid induction
• spend time getting to know the person you are supporting
• learn how best to support that person
• work as part of a dedicated team to provide support.

You don’t need formal qualifications or experience, but you do need to be kind, patient, and have a sense of fun.

Main Responsibilities

• Providing Person Centred Support: Form a positive relationship with the person being supported, maintaining appropriate professional boundaries with them and their families. Promote and support relationships, which enable people with a learning disability, to be included, and engage in their local community. Ensuring the high quality, person-centred support needed to live the life they want and achieve their dreams/goals.
• Supporting People to Develop and Maintain Key Skills in relation to Housing Support: Support people to understand and fulfil their responsibilities to look after their home in line with any tenancy agreements. Support people with domestic chores such as shopping, preparation of healthy meals, cleaning, gardening, washing clothes and ironing.
• Supporting Independence, Social and Communication Skills: Support people to have choice and control over all aspects of their lives.
• Administration: Accurately and effectively maintain and store records and short reports within the Service, utilising appropriate systems, templates and record keeping processes (e.g. behaviours, incidents, communication, risk assessment etc.). Use ICT systems to carry out the responsibilities of the post (e.g. Microsoft Office, HR and Finance information system, support planner system).

All duties must be carried out within the policies and procedures of the Organisation. Access NI: An Enhanced Access NI Disclosure Check will be required for this position. A criminal record will not necessarily prevent you from obtaining the position. Positive Futures adheres to the Access NI Code of Practice, a copy of which can be made available upon request. Positive Futures also have a Policy and procedure on Recruitment of Ex-Offenders and Storage & Handling copies of which can be made available upon request.

We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from all sections of the community regardless of religious belief; political opinion; sex; sexual orientation; marital or civil partnership status; racial group; age; disability.

Required Criteria

• Personal or work experience of providing care or support for someone.
• Basic digital skills e.g. to record notes and use rota, HR or care systems.
• Full valid UK driving license and access to a car insured for business purposes to transport the people we support.

About The Company

Founded in 1995, we now operate across Northern Ireland offering a wide range of services tailored to individuals with learning disabilities, acquired brain injury or autism and the families who support them. Our services include supported living, peripatetic housing support, shared-lives schemes, residential short breaks and family support. We focus on enabling people to live as equal citizens, develop independence and realise their hopes and dreams.

Company Culture

At Positive Futures, we foster a culture of respect, innovation and empowerment. We believe in putting people first - both those we support and our staff. We create environments where colleagues feel valued, where ideas for improvement are welcomed, and where continuous learning is encouraged. We support staff to grow professionally and personally, and we emphasise collaboration, listening and trust.

Company Benefits

Our Staff and people we support are our strength and our people are at the heart of everything we do. Working at Positive Futures means doing work that matters - and being supported by people who genuinely care about your growth and wellbeing. We want you to feel valued, encouraged and set up to thrive, both in and outside of your role. That’s why our benefits are built around one simple idea: when you’re supported, you can make an even bigger difference to the people we support.

• Vacation
• Paid time off
• Paid sick days
• Retirement plan and/or pension
• Employee development programs
• Sabbatical leave
• Referral bonus
• Competitive salary
• Employee Assistance Scheme
• Wellbeing Scheme
• Blue Light Card
• Social Opportunities
• Annual performance review
• On the job learning
• Progression opportunities
• Access to Health & Wellbeing app
• Bereavement leave

Salary: £12.71 - £13.12 per hour