Domiciliary Care Worker

Domiciliary Care Worker / Driver - Community Based

Location: Thurrock - Grays, SouthOckendon, Chadwell St Mary, Tilbury, Stanford Le Hope, Purfleet, Chafford Hundred, East Tilbury

Reports to: Registered Manager / Care Coordinator

Employment: Availability

Job Purpose

To provide safe, compassionate and person-centred care to service users living in their own homes. The Care Worker / Driver will travel between scheduled community visits, follow individual care plans and support service users to maintain their dignity, independence, safety and wellbeing.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Personal Care
• Support service users with washing, bathing, showering, dressing and grooming
• Assist with oral care, toileting and continence needs
• Provide catheter or stoma support only when trained and authorised
• Protect the service user’s dignity, privacy, choices and cultural preferences
• Encourage service users to complete tasks independently where possible

Mobility and Physical Support

• Support safe movement and transfers in accordance with the care plan
• Use approved equipment such as hoists, stand aids, slide sheets, wheelchairs and walking frames only after receiving appropriate training
• Follow moving and handling risk assessments
• Assist service users with repositioning to reduce the risk of pressure damage
• Report falls, mobility changes, pain or equipment concerns immediately

Medication Support

• Prompt, assist or administer medication according to the care plan, eMAR and company medication policy
• Check that medication records are accurate and complete
• Report refused, missed, unavailable or incorrect medication immediately
• Never change medication instructions or give medication that has not been properly authorised

Nutrition and Hydration

• Prepare meals, snacks and drinks according to the service user’s care plan
• Follow prescribed dietary requirements, allergy information and swallowing guidance
• Encourage adequate food and fluid intake
• Complete food and fluid charts where required
• Report reduced appetite, dehydration, swallowing difficulties or unexplained weight loss

Household and Social Support

• Complete agreed light household duties such as washing dishes, laundry and tidying
• Support shopping, appointments and community activities where included in the care plan
• Provide companionship, conversation and emotional reassurance
• Encourage social participation and reduce isolation
• Respect the service user’s home, belongings and personal choices

Electronic Monitoring and Record Keeping

• Use Nursebuddy or another approved electronic care monitoring system
• Log in and out of every care visit at the correct time and location
• Complete electronic care notes accurately before leaving the service user’s home
• Record personal care, medication, nutrition, hydration, mobility and other completed tasks
• Report late arrival, inability to access the property or any risk of a missed visit to the office immediately
• Record and report accidents, incidents, falls, medication errors and changes in the service user’s condition
• Maintain confidentiality and comply with UK GDPR requirements
• Keep the work phone charged, secure and available during working hours

Safeguarding and Health Monitoring

• Remain alert to signs of abuse, neglect, self-neglect, exploitation or deterioration
• Report safeguarding concerns immediately in accordance with company procedures
• Observe and report changes in skin condition, behaviour, mobility, appetite, continence or general wellbeing
• Contact the office, emergency services or appropriate healthcare professionals according to the seriousness of the situation
• Follow infection prevention, PPE and hand hygiene procedures
• Cooperate with staff spot checks, supervision, competency assessments and appraisals

Driving and Community Working

• Hold a full and valid UK driving licence
• Have access to a safe, reliable and roadworthy vehicle
• Maintain motor insurance that includes business use for travelling between service users
• Travel punctually and safely between scheduled visits
• Plan journeys appropriately and allow reasonable travel time
• Notify the office immediately of delays, accidents, vehicle breakdowns or driving restrictions
• Maintain accurate mileage records where required
• Never use a mobile telephone while driving
• Never transport service users unless this is authorised, risk assessed and covered by appropriate insurance
• Inform management of any penalty points, licence suspension or medical condition affecting the ability to drive

Essential Requirements

• Full UK driving licence and access to a suitable vehicle
• A caring, respectful, patient and dependable attitude
• Good verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to work independently in the community
• Ability to use a smartphone and electronic care monitoring system
• Business use motor insurance
• Right to work in the United Kingdom
• Enhanced DBS clearance and satisfactory references
• Willingness to complete mandatory care training
• Availability to work agreed shifts, which may include mornings, evenings, weekends and bank holidays

Desirable Requirements

• Previous domiciliary or community care experience
• Level 2 or Level 3 qualification in Health and Social Care
• Experience using Nursebuddy or another electronic care system
• Training in medication, moving and handling, safeguarding, infection control and basic life support

Accountability

The Care Worker / Driver is accountable to the Registered Manager and Care Coordinator. Any concern affecting a service user’s health, safety, dignity or wellbeing must be reported immediately.