POST: Senior Support Worker

JOB DESCRIPTION

REPORTING TO:Manager/Deputy Manager

DEPARTMENTResidential / Supported Living Services

RESPONSIBLE TO:Service Manager

ACCOUNTABLE TO: Service Manager

DBS DISCLOSUREThis position is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service check

Job Summary

To support, develop and enable service users who have a range of diverse needs, assisting them to live as independent lives as possible as full and valued members of their local communities.

To work as a team member in ensuring that a safe, supportive and caring environment is maintained which meets the individual and group needs of the people who live there.

All support workers must practice in accordance with all relevant legislation, the National Minimum Standards and the organisations policies and procedures.

To support the Service Manager/Deputy Manager and in their absence oversee the day to day running of the service

Due to unforeseen circumstances, on occasion, the post holder may be required to work at another location other than their usual place of work.

Duties of the Post

Administrative

To support the Service Manager/Deputy manager in their absence and oversee the day to day running of the service.
To ensure that the service runs efficiently in terms of service user needs operation, company objectives and regulatory requirements.
To take day to day responsibility for the duration of the shift and delegate tasks to Support Workers as agreed with the Service Manager/Deputy Manager.
To take responsibility for other specific tasks as deemed appropriate by the Service Manager
To assist in the leadership, support and supervision of the staff team as delegated by the Service Manager
To assist in the devising of staff rotas, management of absences and covering of shifts in accordance with Company policies
To assist in the management of the petty cash and client finance systems as deemed appropriate by the service Manager/Deputy
To maintain accurate records and prepare reports in accordance with Company policies
To participate in the On-Call rota to provide support as and when required to by the Service Manager/Deputy.
To assist the Service Manager/Deputy in ensuring that all staff are fully aware of and adhere to the company’s policies and procedures including Health and Safety, Confidentiality, Whistle Blowing , Equal Opportunities etc
To uphold the aims and objectives of the service at all times
To contribute when required to Quality Assurance reviews on the services provided including auditing of client finances and medication audits
To rapidly deal with any complaints and where appropriate inform the Service Manager/Deputy
To review Caresys daily notes and incidents/accidents- and report as per policy.
To work as a full and effective member of the staff team, communicating effectively and efficiently with colleagues and other staff.

Support

To contribute to the development of appropriate, individualised and achievable Person Centered Plans. Supporting and enabling individuals to have their say in mapping out and planning current and future service provision.
To support and enable service users in all aspects of their physical, social and emotional well being.
To act as a Keyworker taking a leading role and responsibility for identified service users.
To provide direct care and support to service users in accordance with agreed support plans, including personal care where appropriate
To act as an enabler for service users, not ‘doing for’ the user but ‘doing with’ the user wherever possible.
To promote and ensure privacy, dignity and respect and to assist service users to undertake/develop a range of day to day life skills in order that they may develop full, dignified and meaningful lifestyles promoting an ‘ordinary life’
To enable and support service users to make use of facilities available to the general public and to access appropriate therapeutic activities in community settings.
To undertake flexible working arrangements as part of the rota including evenings, weekends, nights and sleep-ins
Ensuring all files and records are up to date.
Ensuring care/support plans are followed and records kept.
Ensuring medication records are accurate and meet standards.
Taking responsibility for ensuring service users finances are recorded accurately and that the balance is correct at all times.
Being accountable for ensuring that handovers provide all relevant information are completed accurately in accordance with shift planning.
To share responsibilities with the staff and management in relation to the daily walkabout.
To undertake/support service users in general cleaning and housekeeping duties, laundry, and food preparation
To administer medication in accordance with the Company policies and procedures and ensure that medical emergencies are dealt with appropriately.
To ensure that service user’s rights are respected at all times and in line with the Human Rights Act and Mental Capacity Act 2005 and ensuring Deprivation of Liberty (DOL) guidelines are always followed.
To ensure Safeguarding Policies are adhered to, to protect and safeguard vulnerable people.
To ensure that service users are safeguarded from physical, verbal, financial or material, psychological or sexual abuse, neglect, discriminatory abuse or self-harm, inhuman or degrading treatment, through deliberate intent, negligence or ignorance, in accordance with written policies.

Liaison and Communication

To liaise and maintain links with outside agencies, external professionals and parents/family members
To participate and contribute to regular service user and staff meetings
Participate in and complete the formal induction programme and participate in training and development programmes as highlighted through staff supervision and appraisal.
Participate in training and development programmes as highlighted through staff supervision and appraisal and apply learning in the day to day job role.
Work as part of a staff team to provide a twenty-four hour support package that will require maximum flexibility of attendance. This will include on a rota system waking nights, sleep in duties, weekends and shifts.

Value Base

Belief in inclusion, evidenced through work practice
A desire to ensure that the needs of individuals are met and supported, are at the heart of decision making.
Must be committed to ensuring that the people we support are valued and enabled to take control of their own lives. To champion this when the going gets tough and be able to raise concerns if colleagues are not working in this way.
At all times demonstrate respect for service users and recognize their value as ordinary citizens including their right to privacy and to be treated with dignity.
Commitment to Potens’ Vision, Values and Principles.
Show a desire and openness to learn and develop evidenced through continuous training and development. Be prepared to ask when help is needed.
To present for work with a smart, clean, tidy appearance that complies with organisational guidelines

Health and Safety

To be aware of actual or potential factors within the environment which can be harmful and take appropriate action in accordance with the companies policies i.e. Health and Safety, Risk Management etc
Report immediately to Service Manager/Deputy any illness of an infectious nature affecting a service user, staff member, self or another
Report to the Service Manager/Deputy any faulty appliances, damaged equipment or any potential hazards and in from maintenance in line with company policy and procedure
Promote safe working practice within the service

Confidentiality:

In the course of your duties you may have access to confidential information about service users, staff or organisation business. On no account must such information be divulged to anyone who is not authorised to receive it. Confidentiality of information must be preserved at all times whether at or away from work. The organisation has a “Whistleblowers Policy” for staff wishing to express concerns.

Data Protection Act 1998

Carry out any requirements within the duties applicable to the Data Protection Act 1998.

Health and Safety at Work Act:

Observe all responsibilities and carry out all duties, whether general to all employees or specific to the post, relating to health and safety in accordance with the organisations policies and any statutory requirements.

Signatures:

Due to the organisations commitment to continuous improvement, it is likely that the post will evolve over time. These duties will be subject to regular appraisal and any amendments will be made in consultation and agreement with the post holder.

Signature of post holder………………………………….Date......

Signature of Service Manager………………………………….Date......

Senior Support Worker-Job Description Reviewed/Distributed Oct 2015 Page 1 of 4