Position: Community Support Worker
Responsible to: Service Manager
Salary: £11.50 rising to £12.50 per hour March 2025
Benefits: 8% Employer contributory pension scheme
Leave: 31 days per year, inclusive of statutory bank holidays
Hours: Full time 37.5 per week including weekends and bank holidays
SUMMARY OF ROLE
To provide, under the guidance of the Service Manager, a needs-led, support-planned service for vulnerable people living with a disability, mental health diagnosis or Autism spectrum disorder, by adopting a person-centred, trauma-informed approach which enables them to manage their daily lives and reach their full potential.
VALUES AND ATTITUDES
* Calm, accepting attitude towards vulnerable individuals particularly during incidents of self-harm, severe distress, peer conflict, anger and suicidal ideation.
* A non-judgmental, compassionate approach with a capacity for self-awareness and self-reflection.
* A belief in the potential of all service-users to realise their potential and goals and in the organisation’s pivotal role in achieving this vision.
* Capacity to work as part of a team, ask for support and guidance and communicate effectively with colleagues.
MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES, DUTIES and TASKS
Support
* Plan weekly support timetable by setting meaningful and achievable support plan goals, effectively putting these into action, monitoring their progress and adapting the plan as part of an ongoing partnership with service users.
* Taking a proactive approach to motivating and re-engaging service users on a daily basis reducing social isolation and risky behaviours.
* Regularly monitor risk in partnership with service users by completing and updating risk assessments.
* Facilitate decision making and healthier lifestyle choices with service users.
* Ensure personal care, domestic and correspondence tasks are carried out daily in line with each individual’s needs and wishes.
* Co-designing and monitoring budget plans with service users to help them manage daily living costs, bills and outgoings.
* Supporting people to expand their social networks and form and maintain friendships.
* Ensure all service users are engaged in social interaction at a level that is manageable for them, both on site at OPENhouse and in the wider community through local facilities.
* Ensure living accommodation is clean, hygienic and secure.
* Ensure support contracts are being honoured by taking responsibility for delivering the agreed number of support hours and arranging cover for these by other team members if absent from work.
* Follow procedures for person-centred medication management for service-users, empowering them to self-medicate wherever possible and gaining their consent to be prompted to take meds if appropriate.
* Ensure incident procedures are carefully followed in instances where crisis support is required.
* Engage in positive relationships with consistent liaison with families and other professional agencies responsible for the care and well being of individual service users in accordance with their support plan and needs assessment.
Performance and Professional Development
* Work to continually improve quality of life for service users.
* Work to ensure service users voices are heard and actively responded to.
* Be willing to work responsively and flexibly, anticipating the likelihood of hurdles and changes on the road to improved outcomes for individuals and dealing with these positively and with resilience.
* Maintain confidentiality, dignity and respect at all times in accordance with the Data Protection Act and adhere to our Mobile Phone and IT policies.
* Work within OPENhouse policies and procedures.
* Work in a way that meets the statutory requirements of Health and Safety at work guidelines.
General
* Keep appropriate and accurate daily records on the client records management system.
* Complete all monitoring forms required by partner agencies.
* Be able to communicate clearly both verbally and in writing.
* Be able to use email, internet and other IT systems and use electronic media as appropriate.
* Participate in supervision and appraisal, reporting any concerns to line manager in a timely manner.
* Attend weekly staff meetings.
* Follow lone working guidelines especially with regard to communicating your whereabouts and weekly diary to the Service Manager.
* Work as part of the wider organisation sharing information and being willing to support other departments when necessary.
* Work in accordance with the Organisation’s Health and Safety Requirements.
* Work in accordance with the Organisation’s Operational Policies and Procedures and those of external regulators.
* Adhere to the Professional Code of Conduct of OPENhouse staff.
* Identify own support needs and undertake any relevant training appropriate to the role including participation in mandatory training.
* Adhere to Safeguarding policies at all times.
* Carry out other duties as required by Senior Managers.
* Professionally represent OPENhouse internally and to external stakeholders.
Additional Information
OPENhouse values are Integrity, Compassion and Excellence the postholder will need to demonstrate these values.
You will be required to work flexibly as part of a rota system which may include some weekend and bank holiday cover.
Person Specification EST Support Worker
Essential Personal Attributes
* Commitment to the support and development of vulnerable adults achieving their full potential
* Understanding and awareness of the mental health issues relevant to this client group (including relationship difficulties, self-harm, suicidal feelings, depression, social isolation, anxiety, substance and alcohol misuse, eating disorders and mood and personality disorders)
* Ability to undertake lone working and work under pressure
* Ability to empathise with vulnerable adults and disadvantaged people
* Capacity to cope with managing incidents of aggression, sensitive personal disclosures, emotionally distressed behaviour from service users and conflict between peers
* Willingness to work unsociable hours
* Willingness to work closely as a team member and to build good working relationships with other professionals
* Willingness to communicate calmly, clearly and honestly with colleagues
* Enthusiasm for developing further skills in the field through training, continuing personal development and qualifications
* Ability to recognise own support needs and discuss these with senior staff
* Ability to write clearly in recording work carried out with service users to evidence effective outcomes
* Enthusiasm and creativity in planning and delivering activities that engage and inspire the service users
Qualifications Required
* A professional vocational qualification in health & Social care, youth work, social work or counselling to NVQ Level 2
* A good and demonstrable level of literacy and IT skills
* A wide variety of life experience
Experience Necessary
* Experience of working with vulnerable adults and people with mental health issues, learning disabilities and Autism Spectrum Disorders
* A proven track record of coping with incidents of emotional distress and challenging behaviour
* Experience of working as part of a multi-disciplinary team
* Experience of record keeping and maintaining confidential files
Desirable
* An understanding of person-centred support planning and risk assessment experience
* Full driving licence and access to a vehicle covered by business insurance
* Home Based Skills e.g. DIY, Cooking, Gardening
* Knowledge and experience of using a trauma informed approach working with vulnerable adults
* Understanding of Equal opportunities and Health and Safety
* Knowledge of current legislation relating to Health and Social Care and to safeguarding vulnerable people
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: From £11.50 per hour
Expected hours: 37.5 per week
Benefits:
* Company pension
Shift:
* Day shift
Education:
* GCSE or equivalent (preferred)
Experience:
* Support Worker: 1 year (preferred)
Licence/Certification:
* Driving Licence (required)
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Stroud GL5 1QG
Expected start date: 13/01/2025
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