Support Worker - Care at Home (Various locations including Bridge of Don, Bucksburn & Dyce

VSA is a well-respected local social care charity, helping support the people of Aberdeen for over 150 years. Our mission is to provide the best of care to enable the best of lives; supporting individuals and communities to fulfil their potential. VSA provides vital support and services to people of all ages.

At VSA we support a person’s physical, mental, emotional and social well-being through a range of residential and outreach support services. Working in social care is a hugely rewarding career, and you can help change the lives of vulnerable children and adults. We are looking for motivated and compassionate individuals to join our Care at Home team as a Support Worker working in various areas including Bridge of Don, Bucksburn and Dyce.

We offer our Support Workers fantastic benefits including:

• Fuel Allowance
• 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 discount scheme through blue light card

You will have the opportunity to support a variety of clients with a range of disabilities and various health and support needs, to maintain their independence while living at home. We are welcoming applications from motivated, compassionate and responsible candidates. Experience within a care setting is preferred, but we accept applications from individuals who are looking to progress with a career in Health & Social Care. You will also have the added benefits of extensive training as well as the opportunity to work in a role giving great job satisfaction.

Successful applicants will be providing support to individuals in their own home setting.

Hours: 20 hours per week

Rota: This role offers flexible working, with shifts available from 7am and the latest shift finishing at 9pm. Rotas are reviewed on a fortnightly basis, and we will be taking the lead from successful candidates on the hours/days they are available to work. However, you must be able to work every second weekend.

Location: Bridge of Don, Bucksburn & Dyce areas, caring for service users in their own home. Desirable for candidates to be familiar with the area and it would be preferential if they also reside nearby.

Salary: £13.45 per hour

Purpose of Job: To contribute to the provision of quality services to meet the needs of service users, according to agreed VSA standards, policies and regulatory requirements.

Main Duties/Responsibilities:

• Communicating effectively with individuals according to agreed standards and procedures, accessing and updating records in keeping with guidelines.
• Helping to provide a safe and protective environment by complying with health, safety, and security procedures, including medication, and reporting accidents/incidents when appropriate.
• Supporting service users in their daily living, according to their recognised and agreed needs, providing personal care where necessary, adhering to practices which promote well-being, choice, and treating people with dignity and respect.
• Assisting service users in developing and maintaining social networks and relationships.
• Assisting and encouraging service users to develop skills and knowledge to live as independently as possible, if appropriate, with reference to the risk assessment process.
• Participating in the development, implementation and review of personal plans with service users.
• Supporting service users appropriately when they experience a significant life change or loss.
• Developing one’s knowledge and practice continuously through participation in training and development activities.
• Carrying out any other tasks from time to time, provided they are reasonable and within the postholder’s capabilities.
• Have awareness and work within internal control systems in your area to facilitate improvement in the quality of service provided.

Qualifications/Training/Education:

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

Experience:

• Essential: We accept applications from individuals who are looking to progress with a career in Health & Social Care
• Desirable: Experience within a care setting is preferred

Key Skills/Aptitudes:

• Problem solving
• Ability to maintain accurate records
• IT skills
• Ability to write short reports
• Ability to communicate well verbally with individuals
• Record keeping
• Ability to travel
• Decision making abilities

Personal Qualities:

• Good interpersonal skills
• Approachable
• Ethical / Non-judgemental
• Health & Safety aware
• Recovery focused / Person Centred
• Resilient
• Able to manage own time
• Using Initiative
• Motivated
• Compassionate
• Responsible
• Dependable and reliable

Other Job Requirements:

• Ability to work every second weekend
• 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.