At a Glance
- Tasks: Support individuals with learning disabilities to live fulfilling lives in their own homes.
- Company: A compassionate organisation dedicated to empowering individuals with complex needs.
- Benefits: Flexible hours, training opportunities, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Join a team that values independence, dignity, and community inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while gaining valuable experience.
- Qualifications: No specific qualifications required; just a passion for helping others.
The predicted salary is between 28000 - 29000 £ per year.
The role of each staff member within Supported Living Services is to support people with learning disabilities, autism and associated complex needs to live fulfilled, meaningful and ordinary lives in their own homes and communities. Support Workers will provide safe, high-quality, person-centred support in line with individual support plans, Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) approaches and risk assessments, promoting independence, dignity, choice, rights and social inclusion. All practice must align with RQIA Domiciliary Care Regulations and Minimum Standards, Northern Ireland legislation, and a rights-based, holistic model of care, recognising that individuals are tenants or householders with control over their own lives.
Main Responsibilities
- Person-Centred Support and Independence
- Provide support in line with individual support plans, assessed needs and personal goals.
- Promote independence, life skills and confidence, encouraging individuals to do as much as possible for themselves.
- Support daily living tasks such as meal preparation, household management, budgeting and personal routines.
- Facilitate informed choice and decision-making, taking account of capacity and consent at all times.
- Personal Care and Wellbeing
- Support individuals with personal care where required, including personal hygiene and toileting, in a manner that upholds dignity, privacy, consent and respect.
- Support individuals to maintain their physical and emotional wellbeing.
- Promote healthy lifestyles, routines and self-care skills.
- Health Support and Medication
- Support individuals to access healthcare appointments and services as required.
- Support medication administration only when trained, competent and authorised, in line with medication policies and individual risk assessments.
- Observe and report changes in health, behaviour or presentation promptly to senior staff.
- Positive Behaviour Support (PBS)
- Work in accordance with individual PBS plans, using proactive and preventative strategies.
- Support individuals in ways that reduce behaviours of concern and improve quality of life.
- Maintain a culture of least-restrictive practice, recognising behaviour as communication.
- Contribute to the review of PBS strategies through observation, recording and feedback.
- Community Inclusion and Meaningful Activity
- Support individuals to engage in meaningful activities within their community, based on their interests and aspirations.
- Support access to education, employment, volunteering, leisure and social opportunities where appropriate.
- Enable individuals to maintain social, cultural and religious connections of their choosing.
- Support planning and participation in holidays, short breaks and community events where required.
- Safeguarding and Risk Awareness
- Promote and maintain safeguarding at all times in line with adult safeguarding procedures and organisational policy.
- Recognise signs of abuse, neglect or exploitation and act promptly.
- Balance risk and independence through positive risk-taking and risk management plans.
- Maintain professional boundaries at all times.
- Communication and Partnership Working
- Work collaboratively with individuals, families, carers and external professionals.
- Communicate effectively with colleagues and managers about support needs, risks and changes.
- Record and report contact with families, carers and professionals appropriately.
- Record Keeping and Accountability
- Maintain accurate, timely and person-centred records including daily notes, support plans and PBS documentation.
- Ensure documentation reflects outcomes, choices and experiences, not just tasks completed.
- Maintain confidentiality in line with Data Protection and GDPR requirements.
- Environment and Domestic Support
- Support individuals to maintain their own homes safely, including cleaning, laundry and food preparation where required.
- Promote involvement and skill-building rather than doing tasks for individuals.
- Follow health and safety and infection prevention procedures in peoples homes.
- Professional Practice and Flexibility
- Work flexibly to meet the needs of individuals, including varied shift patterns where required.
- Act professionally at all times when working in peoples own homes.
- Carry out additional reasonable duties as required by the service.
- Training and Development
- Participate fully in supervision, appraisal and performance management processes.
- Attend mandatory and role-specific training in line with RQIA requirements.
- Maintain competence in safeguarding, PBS, medication, record keeping and infection control.
- Take responsibility for continued professional development.
This job description outlines the main responsibilities of the role and is not exhaustive. The post holder may be required to undertake other reasonable duties to meet the needs of the service. The organisation reserves the right to amend this job description in line with service developments and regulatory requirements.
Support Worker employer: The CWC Group
As a Support Worker with our organisation, you will be part of a compassionate team dedicated to empowering individuals with learning disabilities and autism to lead fulfilling lives in their own homes. We pride ourselves on fostering a supportive work culture that values professional development, offering extensive training opportunities and a commitment to person-centred care. Located in Northern Ireland, we provide a unique chance to make a meaningful impact in the community while enjoying a collaborative environment that prioritises dignity, respect, and inclusion for both our clients and staff.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Support Worker
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at The CWC Group.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from The CWC Group!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like The CWC Group, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at The CWC Group or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Support Worker
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to The CWC Group:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to The CWC Group! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at The CWC Group
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
