GARVALD EDINBURGH
JOB DESCRIPTION
Maternity Locum Full-time Joinery Workshop Leader
9 months approximately
To start early October 2017
Introduction
The aim of Garvald Edinburgh’s day services is to provide creative day opportunities for adults with learning disabilities. The organisation is inspired by the ideas of Rudolf Steiner and the principles of social therapy. The post is challenging and needs a high degree of commitment.
We have four buildings, three in Edinburgh and one in Midlothian near Dalkeith, in which we offer a range of craft, food preparation and educational activities to over 150 members on a full-time or part-time basis. Our day services also include a shop, the Mulberry Bush, in Morningside Road.
Workshop leaders facilitate the work of around 25 individuals over the course of a week. Each morning and afternoon session is for a group of around 8 people.
The service users of Garvald Edinburgh’s day services are called members. They are adults with learning disabilities who have a wide range of gifts, abilities and support needs.
At the Gorgie Workshops we offer approx. 50 fulltime equivalent places in 6 workshops. The workshops are: bakery, confectionary, tools and furniture restoration, joinery, woodwork workshop and a canteen group that prepares lunches for everyone based in the building.
i) Purpose of Job
The purpose of the job of Joinery Workshop Leader is to run a joinery workshop to help members to achieve positive outcomes and gain work and social skills, self-confidence and independence.
ii) Major Tasks
The post holder will:
· Teach members the skills, techniques, and responsibilities involved in working in a joinery
· Design and develop with members products using a variety of joinery techniques
· Facilitate meaningful activities that are appropriate to members’ needs and abilities
· Support members to finish and prepare work for sale
· Ensure that the Joineries are kept clean and tidy
· Maintain and organise the materials and equipment in the Joinery
· Motivate individuals to develop their skills, confidence, and independence
· Facilitate members to relate with others in the group, and in the wider community
· Be aware of individual members' emotional needs and respond to these as appropriate.
· Support and assess members who are enrolled in skills accreditation modules.
· Oversee the work of Workshop Assistants, One to One Workers, students, and volunteers when they are based in the Workshop
Other duties of the post include:
· Maintaining adequate standards of hygiene.
· Ensuring that safe working practices are followed including the correct use of tools, equipment, and machinery
· Contributing to the day-to-day upkeep of the building and its surroundings
· Liaising with staff throughout the organisation both on matters concerning members and on practical questions.
· To take on the role of key worker for members, this includes attending reviews and writing reports for the members that you keywork and following up on agreed plans.
· Encouraging members to participate in educational, vocational and healthy living activities
· When necessary, helping members with personal care. This could, for instance, include help with showering or toileting
· The post holder may be required to administer rectal diazepam/buccal midazolam or other medication subject to receiving the relevant training.
· Reporting absentees
iii) Responsible for:
The post holder is responsible for the members in their group and the running of the Joinery Workshop as well as taking responsibility for the short and long term development of the workshop.
The post holder will have an overview of the needs and aspirations of those members for whom they are the keyworker, and will ensure all communication about these members is facilitated as efficiently as possible.
Staff provide each other with support and guidance on a day to day basis, and thus take a mutual responsibility for many aspects of the running of the workshops.
iv) Decisions made in the course of the job:
The Post-holder will make decisions about the day to day running of the workshop.
The post holder will be line managed by a Day Service Manager but must be able to work independently where possible. In disciplinary matters relating to members the post holder may have to make decisions on their own, but would normally be expected to consult with other staff who work with the individual concerned.
v) Line Management Appraisal and Supervision:
The post holder is responsible to the Day Service Managers and through them to the Director. Regular line management and supervision will be arranged by a Day Service Manager. The Supervisor will raise any issues that must be focused on if he/she is aware of any, but otherwise the post holder will use the time to reflect on their work and focus on practical questions, issues or difficulties with members or colleagues, or longer or shorter term developments.
The post holder will meet with their supervisor every six to eight weeks. Supervision will be given more often during the probationary period, and at other times in response to the post holder's needs.
vi) Contacts:
The post holder will meet regularly with other staff working at Gorgie Workshops. They will contact other staff and carers to discuss incidents or other matters of concern in relation to members.
A Day Service Manager can be contacted to discuss any issues. The post holder will also discuss administrative matters directly with the office staff.
A Day Service Manager would normally coordinate more complex work with members’ families, but the post holder will also have contact with families or other carers as appropriate, and with outside agencies to discuss progress or concerns or to report incidents. In the case of some members this contact may be regular, but it would normally be occasional.
vii) Educational/Vocational qualifications required:
This post does not require a minimum qualification. Qualifications in Joinery, Art, Craft, Teaching and/or the caring field would be advantageous. The post holder will be required to undertake any necessary training.
viii) Experience required:
Applicants must have knowledge and experience in joinery work, and they must have some experience of working or living with people with learning disabilities in a voluntary or paid setting.
Applicants must also have developed the ability to work on their own, and be able to use their own initiative and creativity. Life and work experience not directly related to the above may also be relevant, since this can help to bring insight and objectivity.
ix) Complexity:
The post holder must be flexible and able to make quick decisions on how to respond to the individual demands of members. A balance must be maintained between appropriately meeting members' emotional and individual needs, and keeping the work going.
The post holder must also assess when it is necessary to refer individuals to another staff member or, in consultation with the Day Service Manager, to someone out with the organisation for further help.
x) Creativity:
It is often necessary to find imaginative ways of teaching to enable some members to learn basic skills, and to find different methods of achieving practical tasks for those with physical disabilities.
xi) Social Therapy / culture:
The post holder will take an active interest in the principles of social therapy, which underlie our work, and make full use of training and supervision opportunities to ensure that working practices and attitudes support Garvald's values and ideals.
Our work depends on there being a rich cultural life. This is primarily maintained through music, art and the celebration of festivals. The post holder will be invited to contribute to this cultural life.
xii) Hours / Flexibility:
This is a full time post, 40hpw. The hours will include a meeting with Gorgie Workshop staff every week. The core hours will be:
Monday - 9am to 4pm
Tuesday - 9am to 4pm
Wednesday - 9am to 4pm
Thursday - 9am to 4pm
Friday - 9am to 3pm
The remaining 6 hours are flexible to include supervision, meetings and preparation time. Thursday evenings 3 times a year is a training session. We also hold Festival celebrations – 5.30pm to 7.00pm
Garvald Edinburgh has a no smoking policy, which applies to all of our premises and vehicles.
Please note that car parking space at Gorgie Workshops is limited. We cannot, therefore, guarantee the post holder a car parking space. Sheltered cycle parking is available.
Garvald Edinburgh is committed to safer recruitment practices. Before formal offer of a post the successful candidate will be required to apply for PVG scheme membership in accordance with Disclosure Scotland procedures. This process is designed to minimise the risk of harm to members and tenants receiving services from Garvald Edinburgh. We are committed to the Code of Practice overseen by Disclosure Scotland and will provide a copy of the code to any job applicant who requests one.
GARVALD EDINBURGH
PERSON SPECIFICATION
JOINERY WORKSHOP LEADER
(FULL-TIME, TEMPORARY MATERNITY LOCUM )
The following are all essential requirements for the post:
Values and Attributes / A commitment to pursuing the principles of social therapy and the application of them in the work setting.A commitment to providing individualised support for people with a learning disability
Experience / Considerable experience of joinery work
Experience of working/living with people with learning disabilities (in either a voluntary or a paid setting).
Skills and Abilities / Proven ability to help others in developing practical skills and abilities on an individual and group basis.
Able to motivate others through example and through own enthusiasm.
Able to form good working relationships with members which are supportive and also challenging.
Able to work on own initiative.
Experience of operating large machinery
Able to cooperate closely with colleagues, and able to work as part of a team - liaising with and reaching joint decisions.
Able to work under pressure.
A reasonable level of physical fitness.
Basic IT Skills
The following is desirable:
Qualification in joinery, arts/crafts, teaching, and/or in caring.Current driving licence.
Experience of working with people with mental health support needs.
Candidates will be shortlisted on the basis of this person specification. Please ensure that you refer to the aspects listed above as fully as possible when completing the application for the post.
GARVALD EDINBURGH
TERMS & CONDITIONS
Post: Joinery Workshop Leader - Locum for 9 months
Salary: This post has a salary of £19,533 per annum pro rata based on hourly rates of £9.39 for Workshop Leader
Hours: Full time 40 hours per week
Holiday: Pro rata to 40 days (8 weeks) per year inclusive of public holidays. One week is flexible and can be taken as required but in line with operational requirements. Remaining holidays to be taken at fixed times to coincide with the Day Service holiday programme. Leave year: 1 September to 31 August.
Sick pay: For the duration of the post up to 2.5 weeks full pay followed by up to 2.5 weeks half pay (i.e. up to a maximum of 5 weeks in total).
Life Cover: As the post is less than one year there is no entitlement to Life cover
Pension: or the Pension scheme.
Probationary
Period: Review after 3 months (during which time 1 week's notice applies)
Notice: 4 weeks – after confirmation in post.
Garvald Edinburgh aims to be an Equal Opportunities employer.
A no-smoking policy applies to all our premises and vehicles.