Night Support Assistant in Bedford

If you share our values and are excited about making a significant impact at Riverside, please ensure you attach a current CV and covering letter. At Riverside we recruit to potential not just on skills and experience, so we encourage you to apply even if you don't meet all the essential criteria on the job description.

Please note that whilst we will accept applications on the basis of any form of valid legal permission to work in the UK, we will be surrendering the Riverside Sponsorship licence, so for the avoidance of doubt, we are unable to apply for any further sponsorships whether on behalf of existing colleagues or candidates.

The difference you will make as a Night Support Assistant:

• You will be key in providing practical and emotional support to vulnerable people to help them sustain their homes and live in the community, monitoring their wellbeing and referring onto more specialist staff if necessary.
• The priority in your role includes the safety and wellbeing of everyone in our accommodation, including our customers.

Some of Your Responsibilities Will Include:

• Providing waking night staff cover at the service on a rota basis which will include weekends and bank holidays.
• Complete and coordinate nightly patrols in and out of the building to maintain high standards of security and to attend to customers' night time needs including carrying out welfare checks on customers as needed.
• Assist in maintaining customer files and ensure accurate and up to date records are kept of support provided to customers in accordance with company policies and procedures.
• Participate in handovers with the day staff at the start and end of each shift.

About You:

We are looking for someone who believes in working together as part of a team, who shares our values and who is friendly, engaged and committed to achieving great outcomes for our customers.

We Are Looking For Someone With:

• Experience of working with vulnerable adults in either a paid or voluntary capacity.
• A genuine passion for working with people and the ability to travel.
• Good communication skills and the ability to engage with and respect the needs of vulnerable people.
• Excellent team working skills with a creative flair and ability to think outside of the box.
• Strong IT and social media skills to manage and maintain administration and recording systems.

Why Riverside:

One Housing Group is now part of Riverside. At Riverside, we’re a housing association with a difference – enhancing the everyday for all our customers. For 90 years, we’ve been revitalising neighbourhoods and supporting communities by providing the homes they need to live full, fulfilling and rewarding lives. We have a portfolio of over 75,000 affordable residential and retirement homes across the UK. Our work ranges from homelessness services to social care, employment support to retirement living, and we need the best people on board to help us.

Working With Us, You’ll Enjoy:

• Competitive pay & generous pension.
• 28 days holidays plus bank holidays.
• Flexible working options available.
• Investment in your learning, personal development and technology.
• A wide range of benefits.

Our Homelessness and Prevention team is friendly, and we love what we do. We are passionate about the high-quality support we provide. Working in care can be demanding, but our colleagues are always kind and compassionate no matter what challenges they encounter. As part of our team you will be doing work you can be proud of, ensuring the safety and happiness of our customers in their home.

Diversity And Inclusion At Riverside:

We are inclusive. At Riverside, we value diversity in all its forms. We foster a workplace where all individuals are respected, empowered, and heard. Our commitment to inclusivity drives our success and enriches the lives of our customers and colleagues. Riverside is a Disability Confident Employer and operates a Guaranteed Interview Scheme for any applicant who declares they have a disability. If the applicant meets the minimum requirements for the role (as set out in the role profile and/or person specification) they will be guaranteed an interview. Applications may close before the deadline, so please apply early to avoid disappointment.

Role Profile:

• Service Delivery: Provide waking night staff cover at the service on a rota basis including weekend shifts. Ensure that the project adheres to all the standards set out by One Support. Participate in handovers with the day staff at the start and end of each shift. Complete and coordinate nightly patrols in and out of the building (where required) to maintain high standards of security and to attend to customers' night time needs. Take all reasonable precautions for the health and safety of the project including implementing the fire procedure, room checks and health and Safety Inspections. Carry out welfare checks on customers as necessary throughout the night.
• Customer Support: To be accessible and responsive at all times to customers' concerns and requests for information. To assist/enable customers to maintain high standards of health care and personal hygiene. Ensure customers are enabled and empowered to get involved in the running of the service through consultation and participation. Ensure all customers are fully informed and familiar with local practice and procedures with particular reference to the Health and Safety Regulations, fire drills etc. Ensure at all times that other team members are aware of relevant issues about the customers. Assist in maintaining customer files and ensure accurate and up to date records are kept of support provided to customers in accordance with HCS policies including on the mps IT system. Ensure that all customers are fully informed and familiar of changes in local practice and procedures.

Other Information:

You will be required to work flexible hours to meet customer and business needs, which may not include normal office hours. Use the Lone Worker system as and when necessary. Ensure customers are safe at all times - carrying out all of your duties within Riverside’s Policy and Procedure framework e.g. health & safety, safeguarding, dignity at work, GDPR opportunities, cash handling, etc. Deliver your role in line with Riverside company values – “Our Riverside Way”. Participate in team meetings, attend regular supervisions and reflecting practice sessions. Undertake regular training and take responsibility for continuous development to enable you to deliver your role safely. From time to time you may be required to undertake additional duties and responsibilities in consultation with your Line Manager.

Person specification:

Essential Knowledge, Skills and Experience:

• Demonstrable experience of working with vulnerable adults, whether in a voluntary or paid capacity.
• Good team worker.
• Good time management skills.
• Good organisational skills.
• Ability to motivate and support vulnerable adults.
• IT skills including the use of Microsoft packages such as Word.
• Ability to manage and maintain administration and recording systems.

About Us:

Riverside is one of the UK’s leading not-for-profit social housing and regeneration organisations, owning or managing around 75,000 homes from Irvine to Kent. We are a leading provider of supported housing services, particularly for those affected by homelessness, and our track record of transforming lives and revitalising neighbourhoods dates back over 90 years. We have plans to build over 15,000 affordable homes over the next decade.

Our Values and Behaviours Creating an Inclusive Environment.