Social Care Support Worker (Level 1)

Job Description and Person Specification

JOB TITLE / Social Care Support Worker (Level 1)
RESPONSIBLE TO / Team Leader / Registered Manager
SALARY BAND
LOCATION
Applications to HR
Interviews
Social Care Support Workerappointed to new post by/start date

Mission

To provide innovative and Person Centred solutions for people with Autistic Spectrum Disorderand other disabilities irrespective of where and how they live, to improve their quality of life and to extend and exercise their rights to access more control over their lives.

Organisation

Autism Plus is a charity committed to improving the life of people with Autistic Spectrum Disorder and other disabilities. The charity was formed in 1986 by a group of parents of autistic children. Autism Plus offers a range of services, including Residential, Supporting Living, Respite, Adult Learning/Day Service, Community Support and Domiciliary Care.

Autism Plus is a member of The Adsetts Partnership (TAP), which offers collaboration opportunities with like-minded voluntary sector agencies on a wide range of initiatives, from major government contracts through to local projects which will provide a ‘one-stop-shop’ range of services. Autism Plus also works closely with Jobsteps Employment Services Ltd (a member of TAP), which specialises in helping individuals with disabilities and complex barriers to work find and sustain meaningful paid employment.

Job summary

To work within the Mission, Vision and Values of Autism Plus and the aims and objectives of the service.

To provide high quality services either at a service user’s home or within the community that offers enabling person centred support to promote health and wellbeing, social inclusion and the development of life skills in social, domestic, work or educational settings.

To work individually and as part of the team within the Supported Living and Community Outreach Services for people who have an Autistic Spectrum Condition, associated disabilities and/or mental health issues.

To respect the service users right to privacy, to ensure that their dignity is respected and to work within the principles of equal opportunity at all times.

To positively represent Autism Plus and be responsible for upholding high standards.

To foster an atmosphere of support and encouragement with service users, their families and colleagues.

Key responsibilities

Support to service users

  • To enable service users to become as independent as possible and to grow in confidence, ability and personal effectiveness in the following areas;
  • Social skills/relationships
  • Personal care and hygiene
  • Daily living skills
  • Using community resources and facilities
  • Social, leisure and work activities
  • Self organization/motivation and coping abilities
  • Personal safety

To achieve this through support, practical assistance, teaching, advice, role modeling, encouragement and positive feedback.

  • Promote non-discriminatory practices and respect and promote the rights of people with ASC, learning difficulties, complex needs and mental health issues.
  • To ensure that the highest levels of performance and standards of work are achieved, in line with CQC outcomes and Autism Plus policies and procedures.
  • Working within the framework of Person Centred Planning and BILD ensure that service users receive the support to enable them to develop a valued and socially meaningful lifestyle which includes a wide variety of culturally and age appropriate experiences building on the aspirations, strengths and needs of the service user.
  • Safeguarding knowledge awareness and understanding of the Safeguarding policies and procedures. Attend training including Mental

Capacity and Best Interest

  • Ensure that adequate records are kept for each service user in line with Autism Plus policies and procedures. Protect the confidentiality of personal information and ensure that the information is only disclosed to those who have a right and need to know.
  • To encourage and support service users in expressing their needs, views and concerns. To enable service users make choices and decisions and participate as fully as possible in planning and decision making processes.
  • Learn and use appropriate methods of communication e.g. Makaton. TEACCH.
  • Ensure that the personal belongings of service users are treated with respect.
  • Ensure the needs of the service users are considered at all times, taking into consideration their autism and any other sensory, physical, learning disabilities or mental health needs. (This includes personal care).
  • Develop meaningful and trusting relationships with service users to enhance their confidence, self esteem, personal development and general sense of wellbeing.
  • Ensure service users receive the advice, care and health checks they need to ensure they remain healthy and well both physically and emotionally. To promote a healthy lifestyle at all times including exercise, relaxation and nutrition.
  • 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.
  • In line with statutory requirements and following good practice, contribute both verbally and written to service user reviews, support planning and person centred planning meetings as required.
  • To support people who use challenging behaviour as a way to communicate their needs and frustrations by using agreed strategies and interventions as outlined within the framework of their care plan. To contribute to the planning and implementation of these interventions and to strive to understand the underlying reasons for this behaviour.
  • Maintain records of untoward incidents and accidents and report appropriately.
  • Enable service users to maintain relationships with their family and friends as appropriate and encourage new relationships to develop from accessing community based activities
  • Participate in key worker responsibilities as delegated.

Administration

  • To assist service users in their home and community settings and to assess their skills andneeds.
  • To support individuals to reach their goals and aspirations in line with their person centred plan and be responsive and flexible to the ever changing needs of a service user.
  • To enableservice users to participate within their communities and the wider world as fully as possible.
  • To ensure that medication is administered and recorded as prescribed. To organise safe procedures for the collection, storage and administration of medication within Autism Plus guidelines and Sheffield Domiciliary Medication Policy.
  • To monitor the health and well-being of the service users in liaisonwith other relevant professionals.
  • To ensure safe and appropriate assistance with service user’s personal finances.
  • To carry out and record all financial transactions involving service users or Autism Plusmoney according to procedures laid down by AutismPlus.
  • To keep appropriate records on all matters relating to the support provided and keep up to date on changes to care plans, risk assessments and any other relevant documents.
  • To protect confidentiality of personal information and ensure that theinformation is only disclosed to those who have a right and need toknow.
  • To promote non-discriminatory practices.
  • To provide verbal and written reports to colleagues and others.

Support to people with their own tenancy

  • Support service users in maintaining the safety, security and comfort of their own homes.
  • Support with duties such as laundry, shopping, cleaning and cooking as required.
  • Support the service users to become as independent as possible with respect to managing their household, including management of household finances and maintenance.

Teamwork

  • Participate in promoting a team approach at all times, encouraging positive and constructive working relationships for the benefit of the service user.
  • Be polite, courteous and supportive to all team members.
  • Be flexible in accordance with the needs of the weekly rota.
  • Be available to cover leave (sickness, annual, etc).
  • Assist in the induction of new staff.
  • Work in accordance with training and agreed policies, practices and procedures.
  • Participate in and contribute to staff and service user meetings.
  • Support colleagues in difficult or potentially difficult situations withinthe workplace.
  • Ensure issues of concern are elevated to a more knowledgeable member of staff if the situation requires specific expertise.

Personal Development

  • Attend supervision and appraisal meetings and have a willingness tobe accountable and develop as a valued team member.
  • To undertake training as required. This may include attendingtraining courses outside your place of work.

General

  • Work to agreed standards in line with Autism Plus policies andprocedures.
  • Have a flexible attitude to working arrangements and hours of work including early mornings, evening, weekends, nights and bank holidays.
  • Any other duties as reasonably requested, relative to the objectivesof the post.

This is an outline of the post-holder’s duties and responsibilities but it is not an exhaustive list and may change from time to time to meet the changing needs of the Charity.

PERSON SPECIFICATION –Social Care Support Worker

ESSENTIAL / DESIRABLE / EVIDENCE
Qualifications
NVQ level II in Health & Social Care / x / Application Form
Experience
Experience of challenging behaviour / x / Application Form/Interview
Relevant experience working in the care/support field / x / Application Form
Full, clean, current driving licence. / x / ‘’
Skills & Knowledge
Basic understanding and insight into the needs of people with Autism Spectrum Conditions, Learning Disabilities and Mental Health issues. / x / Application Form/Interview
Knowledge of the range of services available to meet individual needs / x / ‘’
Awareness of local voluntary services and resources available to benefit the service users. / x / ‘’
Knowledge of TEACCH system and other aids to communication / x / ‘’
Knowledge of individual support and person centred planning / x / ‘’
Knowledge of supportive housing / x / ‘’
Good written & oral communication skills including the ability to communicate with people who do not talk / x / ‘’
Good organisational skills / x / ‘’
Have an acceptable standard of basic arithmetic / x / Application Form
Have an appreciation and awareness of human rights / x / ‘’
Ability to organise and initiate leisure and extracurricular activities / x / ‘’
Ability to work effectively with service users, families/carers, advocates, staff and professionals / x / ‘’
Ability to support individuals to maintain their tenancy / x / Application Form
Ability to work in a supportive, calm and non-judgemental way with people who may be challenging. / x / ‘’
Personal Qualities
Good interpersonal skills / x / Application Form/Interview
To be reliable, honest, flexible, motivated and to have a person centred approach to working with individuals. / x / ‘’
To be able to work effectively within a team and on your own / x / ‘’
To be able to work without direct supervision in service user’s own homes and show a mature approach to working alone / x
To be able to work constructively, respectfully and sensitively with families, professionals and the general community and to maintain appropriate boundaries. / x / ‘’
Other
Willingness to work flexible hours according to needs of the Charity and service users / x / Interview
Willingness to attend training courses and events / x / ‘’
Willingness to accept feedback and guidance and to be accountable to colleagues and managers / x / ‘’

The Charity reserves the right to conduct internal testing of candidates who are unable to show proficiency in any of the above

The post holder will be expected to undertake occasional travel to other offices for work duties and meetings

Approval/Acknowledgement

Please sign below to indicate that you have read and acknowledge the functions associated with the position

Employee Signature / Date
Print Name
Management Signature / Date
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