Support Worker - Lawnfield

Job Title: Support Worker

Council: Council for Social Witness, 5a King Street, Lawnfield, Newcastle

Rate of Pay: £11.97 per hour

Hours of Work: 30 hours per week

Responsible to: The Home Manager

Main Function: To assist with the provision of a programme of care and support which gives tenants the opportunity to mature and develop to their full potential. The post holder must be committed to working within the Christian ethos of PCI.

5a King Street is a small supported housing scheme for adults who may have a learning disability, physical disability or older people. It accommodates 2 tenants, in a bungalow.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

SUPPORT FOR TENANTS

1. To ensure tenants receive appropriate assessment, training and support to develop skills and attitudes, in achieving the outcomes of their Personal Centred Plans.
2. To support each tenant, where required, in all aspects of home life and participation in the community and to work with other staff to implement programmes that will enable each client to become more independent.
3. To support tenants with personal care, as appropriate, ie. bathing, washing, feeding, medication needs and access to relevant health care (Meeting these needs may involve manual or aid assisted lifting of tenants).
4. To support tenants in maintaining and developing a variety of relationships.
5. To support tenants in cooking, cleaning, gardening, laundry, ironing and household tasks to an appropriate standard (Domestic skills training).
6. Budgeting and menu planning.
7. To support tenants in a range of leisure activities and services according to individual choice.
8. To be a key worker to tenants according to their needs and wishes.
9. To provide spiritual support to tenants according to their needs and wishes, including enabling participation in congregational life and assisting with personal devotions.
10. To be sensitive to the spiritual, physical, intellectual, emotional and social needs of each tenant and respond appropriately to meet these needs.
11. To carry out daily living tasks on behalf of tenants, when they are unable to do so for themselves.
12. Travel training for tenants.
13. To be an effective advocate for each tenant and encourage self-advocacy where possible.
14. In the absence of Senior Staff, to be the responsible person on duty, complying with 5a King Street’s policies and procedures to ensure the well-being of tenants.
15. To work within PCI/Council for Social Witness policies and procedures and relevant legislation.
16. To develop and promote good working relationships with staff, tenants, professional bodies and other service users.
17. To work such hours as necessary, working during week-ends and/or Bank Holidays.
18. To promote and maintain effective communication with professional bodies/parents/guardians and the local community.

ADMINISTRATION

1. To keep accurate records of significant events in the lives of tenants and to prepare written reports when required.
2. To maintain appropriate confidentiality in respect of information relating to tenants, in accordance with 5a King Street’s policies and procedures.
3. To identify and report any maintenance and/or security issues linked to the building and equipment.

TRAINING

1. To attend staff meetings and training sessions as required.
2. To maintain a personal awareness of new methods and developments appropriate to the needs of the tenants and staff.

ANY OTHER DUTIES

To undertake any other relevant duties which may be required of the post.

To be registered with Northern Ireland Social Care Council.

CRITERIA

1. Qualifications and Knowledge

• Essential: Knowledge of learning disability, physical disability, older people and principles of care
• Desirable: QCF/NVQ Level 2 in Health and Social Care, Knowledge of the range and complexity of lifestyle needs of people with learning disability, physical disability and older people in a supported living environment, Knowledge of the current philosophy and best practice in the provision of support structures for people with learning disability, physical disability and older people.

• Essential: One year’s experience of working in a caring environment directly with an adult client group

• Essential: Very good inter-personal skills, Ability to work on own initiative, Ability to work as part of a team, A responsible and mature attitude towards tenants and duties

• Essential: Health – such as to allow for attendance, reliability and work proficiency, Appearance – must be acceptable within the working environment

• Essential: Committed to working with the client group, Must be willing to behave in a manner which respects the Christian ethos of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, Ability to provide spiritual support for tenants as required, Available for unsocial working hours/week-end working

Skills:

Support Worker, Full-time, Newcastle

Benefits:

• Discount Card
• Enhanced annual leave
• Free Access NI and NISCC registration
• Enhanced maternity pay
• Enhanced pension scheme
• Free uniform and training
• Free counselling for staff and 18+ household