Support Worker (Residential Services)

The key purpose of the role is to provide excellent support to people with disabilities whilst respecting their preferences and choices, enabling them to participate in their community as valued citizens. Providing person‑centred support, in response to each individual's needs and aspirations, will require the post holder to be flexible and responsive to change. It is likely to involve working evenings, weekends and overnight (either waking or sleep‑in). The post holder will be supporting people in registered care, single occupancy homes, in their family home, in shared supported living or community‑based services. You will be assigned to either a registered care service, an individual or a group within a defined geographical area – this may change from time to time. Regardless of the service or location, the role of a support worker involves supporting each individual to take as much control in their life as possible, and to exercise their rights, responsibilities and obligations as citizens.

Responsibilities

• Promote individuality, identity, rights, choice, privacy, independence, dignity, respect and partnership.
• Promote equal opportunities and challenge prejudice or discrimination through formal and safeguarding procedures where appropriate.
• Ensure people with learning disabilities are safeguarded from abuse and report any instances of alleged abuse.
• Support people to express their aspirations, develop new skills and recognise and use their talents through person‑centred planning.
• Help people achieve personal outcomes in managing their daily life, including improved communication, better health, managing money, using transport, cleaning home, preparing meals, using community leisure facilities, visiting family and friends, and attending school, college or work.
• Provide physical care, assistance or prompting when required in accordance with the individual's care plan, respecting their dignity and preferences (e.g., washing, dressing, medication, continence management).
• Assist people to access mainstream and specialist services and agencies that promote their health and wellbeing.
• Keep good records, communicate effectively and share information appropriately while maintaining confidentiality and data protection requirements in line with TNCT policies.
• Understand each person's preferred method of communication and encourage their communication, for example through words, pictures, signing, technology or behaviour.
• Act in the best interest of people who lack capacity to make decisions, following the Mental Capacity Act.
• Encourage positive risk taking when trying new things in collaboration with the wider circle of support and relevant professional advice.
• Support people to maintain important relationships and grow their social networks, acting as an advocate or mediator where necessary.
• Be an effective team member, demonstrating flexibility and resourcefulness, and cooperate with colleagues and others in the best interest of people you support.
• Work within TNCT's policies and procedures.
• Comply with statutory and local regulations regarding health, safety and environment.
• Attend or complete any face‑to‑face or online training as requested.

Values

Staff adhering to our Organisational Excellence‑Values and Behaviours policy.

Employer Support and Development

• Provide supervision, appraisal, team meetings, training and access to career development opportunities.
• Offer additional training opportunities to enhance your career.
• Offer flexibility in working patterns including evenings, weekends, sleep‑ins and nights as required.
• Provide necessary skills and knowledge through training and support.
• Support flexible driving or travel between locations as required.
• Maintain a clear written and verbal communication style.
• Require basic IT skills and numerical ability.
• Require willingness to undertake required training, sometimes outside normal working hours.

Qualifications & Requirements

Desirable criteria

• Experience of supporting people or working in a social care setting.
• Social care qualification or equivalent.

We are an equal‑opportunity employer. The Northam Care Trust is registered as a Disability Confident employer and will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer.