Support Worker - Arrdeir House (Mental Health Services)

VSA have an exciting opportunity available to join our Arrdeir House Team (Registered care home - Mental Health Service) as a Support Worker based in Aberdeen. This will be a Part-time, Permanent position supporting our service users and in return, you will receive a competitive salary and benefits. This rewarding role involves providing professional support to our service users and although prior experience would be welcome, it is not essential as full training on the job will be provided. We welcome applications from those working in social care currently as well as those who are seeking a change of direction and are passionate about making a difference to people’s lives.

Hours: 28 hours per week

Working Pattern/Rota: Successful applicant will be set a fixed rolling rota which includes late and early shifts and alternative weekend working. Set sleepovers are also part of the rolling rota, for which an additional sleepover allowance will be paid per night.

Rate of pay: £13.45 per hour

We offer our Support Workers fantastic benefits including:

• Company pension
• Generous annual leave
• Refer a friend programme - Receive £225 when you introduce a family member or friend to VSA
• Investment in your personal development and career through our learning and development programmes
• Access to Blue Light discount scheme

Service Information: Arrdeir House provides long term residential placements and 24 hour support for adults with ongoing and enduring mental health conditions. The main aim of the service is to promote the holistic recovery of the individuals through empowering their independence, daily living skills and personalised support.

Purpose of Role: To contribute to the provision of quality services to meet the ongoing needs of service users, whilst working within VSA standards, policies and regulatory requirements.

Roles & Responsibilities:

• Communicating effectively with individuals in accordance with the standards and procedures, accessing and updating written and electronic records in keeping with guidelines.
• Helping to provide a safe and protective environment by complying with housekeeping, infection prevention control guidance, health, safety, and security procedures, including medication, reporting accidents/incidents, using e-mars system and safeguarding issues when appropriate.
• Supporting service users in their daily living, according to their individual assessment of needs, providing personal care where necessary, adhering to practices which promote well-being, choice, safeguarding through trauma informed practice, meaningful activity and treating people with dignity and respect.
• Supporting service users in developing and maintaining positive social networks and relationships from their own and the wider community.
• Promoting and encouraging each service user to develop skills and knowledge to live as independently as possible, with reference to their individual risk assessments.
• Participating in the development, implementation and review of the recovery support-based plans with service users.
• Providing emotional support to service users when they experience change.
• Candidate will be responsible for their continuous professional learning as per the SSSC registration.
• Candidates will receive a wide range of face-to-face and e-learning opportunities as well as in-house reflective practice.
• Candidates must engage with supervision and appraisal procedures as well as staff meetings to improve and develop the service and VSA as a whole.
• To support the services and service users, carrying out any other tasks from time to time, provided they are reasonable and within the postholder’s capabilities.

Qualifications/Training/Education:

• Essential: Registration with Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC), Membership of the PVG scheme, Willingness and ability to achieve SCQF Level 6 in Social Services and Healthcare within 3 years of appointment or as determined by VSA.
• Desirable: SCQF Level 6 in Social Services and Healthcare, Food Hygiene certificate.

Experience: Experience of working in a busy environment, Experience of challenging behaviour, Experience of electronic care management system / e-mars.

Key Skills/Aptitudes: Ability to communicate well verbally with individuals, IT skills, Decision making abilities.

Personal Qualities: Approachable, Ethical / Non-judgemental, Team-worker, Health and Safety aware, Recovery Focused / Person centred, Organised and motivated, Resilient, Able to manage own time, Dependable and reliable.

Other Job Requirements: To comply with the registration and qualification requirements as laid down by the Scottish Social Service Council (SSSC) and to strictly adhere to the SSSC Codes of Practice.