Autism Initiatives Support Worker, Highfields

Autism Initiatives Support Worker, Highfields

Job Title: Support Worker

Department: Lisburn, Highfields

Reports: Through line management structure

Hours: As contracted. A rota system is in place including weekend work, unsocial hours, sleep-overs and night duties.

Accountable to: Director of Autism Initiatives N. I. through line management.

Purpose of Job: To work within the Mission and Values of Autism Initiatives and the Aims and Objectives of the service.

To co-ordinate and work as part of the team within the supported living scheme for three young adults who have Autistic Spectrum Condition and associated disabilities.

Service Users: This service provides support to three mixed gender adults aged between 18 and 35 years old. Support is given to these people within their own home in Lisburn. These three service users have their own daily routines which may involve attending college, daycare & various activities.

SUMMARY OF MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

Administration:

·  To deputise in the absence of the Team Leader/Senior.

·  To assist service users in their home and to assess their skills and needs.

·  Be involved in the admission procedure for service users.

·  To assist in ensuring that the environment is safe and responsive to individual needs.

·  To support the service users, enabling them to integrate within the local community.

·  To order, store, administer and record administration of medication as required.

·  To monitor the health and well-being of the service users in liaison with other relevant professionals.

·  To ensure safe and appropriate handling of the individuals’ money.

·  To handle petty cash according to procedures laid down by Autism Initiatives and to assist with records and returns as required in respect of this area.

·  To keep appropriate records on all matters relating to the operation of the home including untoward or unusual behaviour.

·  To protect confidentiality of personal information and ensure that the information is only disclosed to those who have a right and need to know.

·  To promote non-discriminatory practices.

·  To learn and use appropriate methods of communication (e.g. Makaton and TEACCH).

·  To provide verbal and written reports.

Household:

·  Support service users to carry out household duties such as laundry, shopping and cooking as required.

·  Contribute to the general upkeep of the house eg. gardening, cleaning

·  To report and document any maintenance requirements.

·  Ensure that transport requirements are assessed and achieved to meet the needs of service users.

Service Users/Residents:

·  Ensure the needs of the service users are considered at all times, taking into consideration their autism and any other sensory, physical or learning disabilities. (This includes personal care – bathing / showering / shaving etc).

·  As far as possible, ensure that service users are involved and informed about aspects of their life within the home and the local community.

·  Develop constructive relationships with service users to enhance their confidence, personal development and general sense of well-being.

·  Accompany service users to appointments, meetings and other services as required.

·  Ensure that service users are safe, healthy, well nourished and dressed appropriately.

·  Together with service users and members of the staff team, assess, plan, implement and evaluate individual support/care plans in order to enhance and maximise the capabilities and independence of the service users.

·  Write service user and associated reports and attend reviews as required.

·  Directly participate in meeting the personal and physical needs of the service users. This may include going swimming and going for walks etc.

·  Assist in planning and pursuing agreed strategies to support and alleviate behaviour that presents challenge.

·  Maintain records of untoward incidents and accidents.

·  Enable service users to maintain contact with their family and friends as appropriate.

·  Participate in key worker responsibilities as delegated.

·  Ensure that the personal belongings of service users are treated with respect.

·  Accompany service users on nights out eg. to the cinema, meals, theatre and the pub

Teamwork:

·  Participate in promoting a team approach at all times.

·  Be polite, courteous and supportive to all team members.

·  Be flexible in accordance with the needs of the duty rota.

·  Be available to cover leave (sickness, annual, etc).

·  Assist in the induction of new staff.

·  Work in accordance with agreed policies, practices and procedures.

·  Participate in and contribute to staff meetings.

·  Support colleagues in difficult or potentially difficult situations within the workplace.

Personal Development:

·  Attend supervision and appraisal meetings and have a willingness to be accountable and develop as a valued team member.

·  To undertake training as required.

General:

·  Work to agreed standards in line with Autism Initiatives policies and procedures.

·  Have a flexible attitude to working arrangements.

·  Any other duties as reasonably requested, relative to the objectives of the post.

This job description is not definitive and will vary in accordance with the changing needs of the service users.

Sept 2011

Job Title: / Support Worker
Location: / Lisburn - Highfields
Essential: / Desirable:
Qualifications: / Relevant experience working in the care/support field.
Full, clean, current driving licence. Use of a vehicle with appropriate business insurance and fit for use. / NVQ II in Care.
NISCC registered or proof that process is ongoing.
Knowledge: / Knowledge of the range of services available to meet individual needs.
Awareness of local voluntary services and resources available to benefit the clients.
Basic understanding of Autism. / Knowledge of TEACCH System.
Knowledge of individual programme planning.
Knowledge of Supportive Housing.
RQIA standards
Skills/Abilities: / Good written & oral communication skills including the ability to communicate with people who are non verbal
Good interpersonal skills
Good organisational skills.
Ability to organise & initiate leisure & extra curricular activities.
Ability to work effectively with service users, families/carers, advocates, staff & professionals. / Basic Makaton
General: / Prepared to work unsocial hours i.e. mornings, evenings, nights plus sleep-ins.

Post: Support Worker

Hours 40 hours per week (rota system e.g. mornings, evenings, nights, sleep ins)

Place of Work: Lisburn

Salary: £13,104 to £15,600 per annum

Leave: 20 Days Annual Leave

Bank Holidays: 10 Days per Year

Probation: 6 Months

Occupational The organisation operates an Occupation

Health Benefit: Health Benefit scheme

Pension: Company pay 3% of gross salary

Equal

Opportunities: Autism Initiatives is committed to equal opportunities and as such welcomes applications from all sections of the community.

Typical Shift Patterns:

7.30am – 15.30pm

14.30pm – 22.30pm

Staff will normally be required to do 1 sleep over per week but they need to remain flexible in order to meet the needs of the rota.

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