At a Glance
- Tasks: Support young adults with complex needs in developing life skills and personal fulfilment.
- Company: Join VSA's dedicated team at Rowanlea House, making a real difference.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous holidays, sick pay, and ongoing professional development.
- Other info: Flexible shifts with transport available to the campus.
- Why this job: Empower individuals to thrive while gaining valuable experience in a rewarding environment.
- Qualifications: Experience with autism and complex needs is essential; training provided.
The predicted salary is between 13.45 - 13.45 £ per hour.
VSA's Rowanlea House Adult Service, situated on the Linn Moor Campus near Peterculter, provides an intensive housing support and care at home service for young adults with complex learning and behavioural difficulties and autism that focuses on the development of meaningful life skills and personal fulfilment. VSA believes that young adults with complex needs should continue to learn after they leave formal education. To that end, we engage our tenants in programmes aimed at developing personal, domestic and community skills.
Our dedicated and enthusiastic team of Support Workers (Life Skills Practitioners - Adult Service) provide the necessary support and care to ensure this happens. We are looking to recruit people that will both support and work with the adults within their home to help them to develop these life skills further, as well as expand their horizons. We also want people that can be innovative and help us to embed our approach in practice within this service.
You will be expected to work on a rolling rota, which will include early, late shifts and weekend working (shifts are: 7.30am – 3.30pm and 2pm – 10.15pm). It is important that you have experience of working with children/adults with autism, complex needs and behavioural challenges, as well as being confident in working alongside them and as part of a staff team. We will however provide full training and support.
Hours: 39 hours per week
Rota: 4 week rolling rota where you will be required to work a variety of shifts including early/evening and alternate weekend cover.
Rate/Salary: £13.45 ph. (unqualified) up to £14.40 ph. (qualified) - Full-Time Starting Salary: £27,276.60 (Unqualified Salary) going up to a maximum £29,203.20 (once qualified following incremental payments)
We offer our Support Workers fantastic benefits including:
- Competitive Salary
- Generous Holidays
- Sick Pay Scheme
- Transport to and from city centre to campus available
- NEST Pension Scheme
- Refer a friend scheme
- Ongoing professional development
Main Duties/Responsibilities:
- Identifying ways of communicating effectively on difficult, complex and sensitive issues.
- Supporting Tenants appropriately in the communication process, especially where specific communication needs have been identified.
- Promoting, monitoring and maintaining health, safety and security including medication administration.
- Minimising risks arising from emergency and ensuring Tenants, colleagues and self are safe and secure in the Tenancy and following, at all times, the policy and guidance on adult protection and supporting Tenants to maximise self-care skills.
- Promoting the wellbeing and protection of the Tenants, working with them in ways which promote their rights and responsibilities, supporting them to express their views and preferences about their health and wellbeing.
- Ensuring that the Tenants’ physical environment is clean and comfortable, guiding and actively supporting Tenants in Housing with Support tasks while they re-learn or maintain skills necessary for remaining in their Tenancy.
- Supporting service users as Tenants in their daily living through identified ‘Care at Home’ tasks.
- Contributing to the prevention and management of challenging behaviour in Tenants, negotiating boundaries, identifying goals to promote acceptable levels of behaviour, as well as working positively and consistently with care plans and risk assessments to support and enable access to the wider community.
- Participating in the maintenance of accurate recording systems and reports (both manual and computerised) to meet agreed standards in line with administrative, regulatory and management purposes.
- Complying with and having a sound working knowledge of necessary legislative requirements as laid down through the care standards and recognising the impact of following these standards on the overall provision of service.
- 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.
- Having awareness and working within internal control systems in your area to facilitate improvement in the quality of service provided.
Key Skills/Aptitudes:
- Ability to communicate well verbally with individuals
- Ability to work with individuals who may display challenging behaviour.
- Ability to maintain accurate records
- Basic I.T. skills (e.g. – e-mails)
- Record keeping
- Problem solving
- Using initiative
- Organisational Skills
- Good interpersonal skills
Personal Qualities:
- Approachable
- Evidence of ability to manage challenging behaviour.
- Willingness and ability to carry out physical care tasks e.g. toileting
- Ethical
- Flexible
- Team-worker (working in a small team)
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.
- Ability to work in an environment with service users who demonstrate challenging behaviour as well as being able to respond effectively to this, using and training in Behavioural Support Strategies (BSS) following VSA standards and procedures.
- Implementation of communication and learning strategies such as TEACCH, PECS etc.
Life Skills Practitioner - Rowanlea Adult Service (Full-Time), Peterculter in Aberdeen employer: VSA
VSA is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work culture that prioritises the well-being of both employees and clients. With flexible working hours and a strong commitment to career development, staff are empowered to grow within their roles while making a meaningful impact in the lives of individuals in Aberdeen. Join us in our mission to provide the best care and support to our community, where your contributions truly matter.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Life Skills Practitioner - Rowanlea Adult Service (Full-Time), Peterculter in Aberdeen
✨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 VSA.
✨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 VSA!
✨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 VSA, 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 VSA 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 Life Skills Practitioner - Rowanlea Adult Service (Full-Time), Peterculter in Aberdeen
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 VSA:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to VSA! 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 VSA
✨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.
