Summary
As a Support Worker you will help to improve the lives of the adults we support by promoting understanding and acceptance of people with autism, and helping them to be included and feel valued within their communities. You will be committed to maximising personal liberties and enabling people to make choices and decisions about their own lives.
Wage
£17,290 a year
Training course
Adult care worker (level 2)
Hours
Monday to Friday - Working patterns may involve some unsocial hours, e.g. early mornings, evenings, weekends, and some bank holidays, as required by the service. Staff are expected to complete any essential tasks before leaving work.
35 hours a week
Start date
Monday 19 May 2025
Duration
1 year 6 months
Positions available
6
Work
Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.
What you’ll do at work
To ensure the highest standards of support are provided to the people who are supported by Leeds Autism Services, you will work within local and national guidelines and always strive to provide the best experience for our service users.
Supporting service users:
* Ensure the welfare and development of all service users by providing the highest standards of care and making sure that appropriate attention is paid to their spiritual, physical, cultural, social, educational, and recreational needs, in accordance with service user plans
* Promote and implement inclusive, person centred care planning practices
* Support service users to plan their support; identify and achieve personal goals and/or outcomes in accordance with agreed plans
* Support service users in a non-judgemental manner in-keeping with the principles of Positive Behaviour Support (PBS)
* Support service users to access activities which have been identified to help people achieve their goals and outcomes
* Facilitate communication in-keeping with individuals’ preferred methods of communicating
* Help service users to develop records of their achievements and goals in a format which is right for them
* Promote personal liberty, choice, inclusion and decision making within the legal framework of the Mental Capacity
* Complete all appropriate recording formats including health and safety records, service user records, medication, etc.
* Ensure the safe administration and storage of medication in line with LAS policies and procedures
* Recognise changes with regards to physical, social and emotional well-being and bring these to the attention of your line manager
* Maintain professional boundaries at all times
As an employee at Leeds Autism Services, you must:
* Maintain friendly, empathetic, and professional relationships with colleagues, service users, families, friends, advocates and other external agencies
* To work as part of a team dedicated to supporting the needs of people with autism
* Be willing to undertake all training and development opportunities required to fulfil the role, and work reflectively to continually improve your own practice
* Be pro-active in supporting organisational policies and procedures, and report any concerns to a supervisor or line manager
* Adhere to legislation and company policies and procedures in relation to confidentiality, data protection, safeguarding, equality, diversity and inclusion
* Comply with internal policies and procedures on the use of company and service user monies/finance
* Ensure a clean, tidy and hygienic environment is maintained by all staff and service users
* Promote a positive image of people with autism, and the organisation at all times
* Ensure that your conduct, inside and outside of your working environment, does not conflict with the professional expectations of the organisation
Where you’ll work
NEW MABGATE CENTRE
16 CHURCH ROAD
ARMLEY
LEEDS
LS12 1TZ
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
College or training organisation
LUMINATE EDUCATION GROUP
Your training course
Adult care worker (level 2)
Equal to GCSE
Course contents
* Support individuals they are working with according to their personal care/support plan
* Ask for help from an appropriate person when not confident or skilled in any aspect of their role
* Provide individuals with information to enable them to have a choice about the way they are supported
* Encourage individuals to participate in the way their care and support is delivered
* Ensure the individual knows what they are agreeing to regarding the way in which they are supported
* Contribute to the on-going development of care/support plans for the individual they support
* Support individuals with cognitive, physical or sensory impairments
* Ensure dignity is at the centre of all work with the individuals they support, their families, carers and advocates
* Demonstrate all work is person centred, accommodating the individual’s needs, wishes and preferences
* Demonstrate empathy (understanding and compassion) for individuals they support
* Demonstrate courage in supporting people in ways that may challenge their personal/cultural beliefs
* Speak clearly and exhibit positive non-verbal communication to individuals, families, carers and advocates
* Use the preferred methods of communication of the individual they support according to their language, culture, sensory needs and their wishes
* Identify and take steps to reduce environmental barriers to communication
* Demonstrate they can check for understanding
* Write clearly and concisely in records and reports
* Keep information safe and confidential according to agreed ways of working
* Recognise potential signs of different forms of abuse
* Respond to concerns of abuse according to agreed ways of working
* Recognise, report and challenge unsafe practices
* Promote the health and wellbeing of the individual they support
* Move people and objects safely
* Demonstrate how to reduce the spread of infection, including use of best practice in hand hygiene
* Demonstrate the promotion of healthy eating and wellbeing by ensuring individuals have access to fluids, food and nutrition
* Demonstrate how to keep people, buildings and themselves safe and secure
* Carry out fire safety procedures when required
* Use risk assessments to support individuals safely
* Recognise symptoms of cognitive impairment, e.g. Dementia, learning disabilities and mental health
* Monitor and report changes in health and wellbeing for individuals they support
* Reflect on your own work practices
* Demonstrate the development of their own skills and knowledge, including core skills in writing, numbers and information technology
* Demonstrate their contribution to their development plan
* Demonstrate ability to work in partnership with others to support the individual
* Identify sources of support when conflicts arise with other people or organisations
* Demonstrate they can work within safe, clear professional boundaries
* Show they can access and apply additional skills required to perform the specific job role competently
Your training plan
During your apprenticeship you will be enrolled at Leeds City College and will complete the following programme:
* Level 2 Adult Care Worker Apprenticeship Standard
This programme will allow the apprentice to develop their skills, knowledge and behaviours through the practical period at college as well as in the workplace doing on-the-job training. The broad purpose of the occupation is to provide a high-quality service to adults. You may be the first point of contact and work in various locations.
Duration & start date:
This is a 15-month apprenticeship (12 months for the practical period which includes the day release at college and 3 months for the end-point assessment).
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
* English (grade C/4)
* Maths (grade C/4)
Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.
Skills
* Communication skills
* IT skills
* Attention to detail
* Organisation skills
* Customer care skills
* Problem solving skills
* Administrative skills
* Number skills
* Logical
* Team working
* Creative
* Initiative
* Non judgemental
* Patience
* Physical fitness
Other requirements
Must have the ability to empathise and advocate for the needs of people with autism and/or learning disabilities and adapts to new situations easily A positive and flexible attitude to work and working hours as you may at times be called at short notice for shifts. You must have tact, diplomacy, empathy and be able to care and support the needs of people with autism and/or learning disabilities. Be patience with people who have autism and/or learning disabilities with commitment to equality and diversity.