Community Support Worker

To be part of a team of staff supporting young people with disabilities live as independently as possible in the community and to provide person centred support based on the needs and wishes of each individual client.

Hours: 38 hours per week

Contract: 52 weeks, permanent

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

Key Responsibilities:

• Promote the aims and ethos of the QACs Community Services in all aspects of their work.
• Understand and respect individual client’s rights, choices, personal dignity, privacy and aspirations.
• Support clients to undertake activities which are a priority to them including leisure, household, developmental, vocational, volunteering, social and health related activities and maximise clients’ opportunities to be as independent as possible.
• Provide support to clients to undertake shopping activities including support with money management as agreed.
• Provide support to plan, prepare and cook meals as agreed.
• Provide support to undertake activities of daily living within the home including household organisation and chores as agreed.
• Provide support with managing post, correspondence and bills as required.
• Provide support to attend appointments including medical/healthcare appointments, benefits related appointments and similar as required.
• Support clients with identifying, planning and taking part in leisure activities.
• Encourage integration and inclusion into the wider social community by facilitating contact with key individuals in the clients' lives such as family and friends and supporting clients to develop the skills to independently maintain relationships.
• Support the client with learning key routes on public transport that they may wish to travel independently.
• Promote the clients' self-esteem and confidence at all times.
• Provide emotional support and reassurance to the client and liaise with colleagues as required if there are key concerns about the client’s wellbeing.
• Help plan, promote and maintain good care practice and contribute positively to teamwork through good communication with other community support workers and attend team meetings.
• Monitor daily support and achievements via the ‘Care Log’ system on Databridge MIS.
• Contribute to the implementation of care plans, risk assessments, client reviews, and targets.
• Liaise with clients’ families, where appropriate.
• Liaise on a regular basis with College personal tutors and other staff where the client is a QAC student.
• Maintain effective record systems to a quality standard which complies with internal and external regulations.
• Actively partake in professional supervision and attend mandatory training as required.
• Work under the Director of Community Services on a day to day basis.
• Become familiar with all policies and procedures, including Health and Safety, Client Complaints procedures, First Aid and Safeguarding.
• Perform such other duties commensurate with the status of the post as the Principal shall from time to time decide.

The above list is not exhaustive, but is indicative of the general nature and level of responsibility of the work to be undertaken. The responsibilities and duties may vary from time to time without changing the nature of the post. The post holder will be expected to adopt a flexible approach to enable the efficient and effective running of the College.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise:

• Car Owner (Desirable).
• Level 2 in English and maths.
• Understand the needs of clients with disabilities and be able to work with them patiently, flexibly and respectfully.
• Be enthusiastic, pro-active, determined and well organised, and have the ability to multi-task and prioritise.
• Demonstrate an appreciation of the ways in which the Support Worker can support clients in the activities.
• Understanding of confidentiality and data protection.
• Demonstrate a client led approach, putting client needs at the centre of all activity.
• Evidence a positive attitude to equality, diversity and inclusion and work well with others.
• Understand safeguarding principles and practice and be able to apply them to this role.
• Display good interpersonal skills with clients, staff and external contacts.
• Good IT skills, including word processing and spreadsheet packages.
• Excellent written communication skills with a high level of attention to detail.
• Well organised, reliable and pro-active.
• Be flexible and able to work across all curriculum areas.
• Adaptable and flexible.
• Competent and conscientious with a methodical approach to managing workloads.
• Demonstrate charity values.

Benefits:

• Access to on site car parking.
• Use of QAC Fitness Centre (subject to opening hours).
• Cycle to Work Scheme (Salary Sacrifice).
• 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme Helpline (BHSF).
• Access to Education Support.
• Free Helpline for Teachers & Education Staff.
• QAC Mental Health First Aiders & activities to support health and wellbeing.
• BHSF Benefits Package including Healthcare Plans, discounted shopping/services.
• Annual Flu vaccination/voucher.
• Access to other benefit/discount schemes (which may be subject to charge) e.g. Blue Light Card, TOTUM (NUS), Charity Worker Discounts, Discounts for Teachers.
• Dell Advantage programme - a free programme that offers savings to students, parents and all staff at QAC - up to 20% off.
• Health and Wellbeing Services (Occupational Health/Counselling).
• Free Tea/Coffee and Staff Room facilities.
• Dining Room facilities with hot/cold food (free meal provided for those supporting students at mealtimes).
• Additional discretionary concessionary/closure days as part of leave entitlement (including closure over Christmas/New Year period).
• Reward and Recognition Policy – Living the Values Awards (team & individual) and long service.
• Enhanced/Occupational paid leave e.g. maternity/paternity (subject to qualifying criteria).
• Occupational sick pay (based on length of service).
• On site wellbeing activities (e.g. yoga, meditation).
• Support for training/CPD (either by way of study leave and/or funding).
• Flexible working arrangements including Flexible Working Policy Agreements, Time Off in Lieu (TOIL) in prior agreement with line manager.