Senior Support Worker and Healthcare Assistant

JOB DESCRIPTION

Post:                  Senior support worker / Senior health care assistant

Reports to:        Assistant deputy manager (ADM) and Service manager.

OVERALL OBJECTIVES 

1.    To assist the ADM in the resource planning, coaching and mentoring of a team of staff and co-ordinating the daily provision of support and activities for service users to ensure the delivery of a high quality, responsive and efficient service.

 

2.    To provide care and support to people with learning disabilities within their funded hours, to enable them to maintain their tenancies and to achieve their aspirations for independent living.

 

3.    This job description is generic and applies to all Senior Support Workers and Senior Healthcare Assistants. The duties will be determined by the individual needs of the service users being supported. The context in which support is provided may vary according to the service users’ living environment and may include site-based support, housing management and support, housing management only.

 

4.    Depending upon the location, the support provided may be to people with physical or sensory disabilities or people with learning disabilities or people with mental health related support needs or a combination of these.

KEY TASKS

CARE & SUPPORT SERVICES

·         Identify service users’ individual support needs and through consultation and agreement with the service user and where appropriate, their welfare guardian, Social Worker, family, friends and other relevant professionals to devise and implement suitable support plans to ensure that identified support needs are met.

·         Encourage and support service users to live as fully and independently as possible within the local community, providing information, emotional, organisational and practical support and training as appropriate.

·         To carry out risk assessments as and when necessary due to incidents or the changing needs and aspirations of users.

·         Ensure compliance with Care Inspectorate regulations and LiN Group policies and procedures.

·         Maintain registration to the SSSC and adhere to their Codes of Practice and always work within current legislation. 

·         Organise and provide appropriate support for service users preparing to transition to greater independence, including support through the move and resettlement into their new home.

·         Contribute to the protection of service users from abuse and support service users when they are distressed.

·         Lead shifts in the absence of ADM and as required according to the rota.

·         Liaise with other housing, health and social care professionals, benefits, welfare and advocacy agencies, and other landlords as well as family members, as appropriate.

STAFF & TEAM WORKING

·         Work within a team, supporting colleagues and attending team meetings, recording and sharing information appropriately and confidentially.

·         Assist the ADM to achieve service objectives and assist in the development and implementation of policies, practices and procedures.

·         Assist with supervision, coaching and assisting staff using best practice frameworks, policies and protocols.

·         Keep up to date with issues relevant to housing & support, welfare benefits and other relevant legislations.

·         Undertake all core training required for this post, other training and professional development activities as required. This may include achievement of specified competencies.

·         To work flexibly on a rota basis to meet the needs of the service, this includes weekends, bank holidays and sleep-ins/waken night shifts. 

·         Undertake other delegated tasks and responsibilities that fall within your capabilities.

·         To be aware of and adhere to LiN Group’s current values, policies & procedures.

·         To comply always with LiN Group’s legal, contractual and regulatory responsibilities in relation to the above duties.

MANAGING SERVICES

·         To assist the ADM in recruiting, coaching, supervision and mentoring of a team of staff, co-ordinating the daily provision of support and activities for service users, ensuring the delivery of a high quality, responsive and efficient service.

·         To participate in managing staff rotas in conjunction with the ADM to ensure appropriate staffing levels are in place for a safe working environment and that all service user funded hours are provided within the rota.

·         To be responsible for and actively support the regular assessment of service users’ individual needs through key working and support planning processes.

·         To support the efficient use of resources within the service, monitoring and controlling spending within agreed budgets.

·         To assist the Manager in effectively managing voids as and when required.

·         To be jointly responsible, with the ADM, in relation to all Health and Safety matters, ensuring always the service is compliant with Fire regulations and all Health and Safety workplace legislation and procedures detailed in our Health & Safety Policy.

·         To prepare and supply quality assurance data, report significant risks and take action to rectify any shortcomings.

Person Specification — SENIOR SUPPORT/HEALTH CARE WORKER

 

ATTRIBUTES	ESSENTIAL	DESIRABLE
Experience	·         One years of similar experience in a social service setting	·         Experience of supervising staff and coordinating support provision. ·         Experience of working with a multidisciplinary team.
Education, Qualifications and Training	· SVQ3 in Health and Social Care or be willing to achieve an SVQ3	· Recognised qualification e.g. Social Work or Nursing Degree
Value Base	· A belief in inclusion · A desire to ensure people supported are at the heart of decision making · Commitment to the principles and practices of continuous improvement
Skills, abilities and knowledge	· Ability to plan and prioritise workload · Ability to motivate staff · Ability to support service users with making support plans · Ability to draw up and adjust rotas as required · Report writing · Understanding of budget management systems	·         Experience of working with vulnerable adults ·         Good IT skills ·         Good communication skills ·         Knowledge of current legislation relating to health and social care ·         Person centred planning Skills and outcome-based support
Interpersonal and Social Skills	· Good communication skills · Ability to liaise effectively with a range of stakeholders · Promote the organisation positively	·         Positive nature ·         Creative skills ·         Home based skills e.g. DIY, cooking and gardening

Position details

Salary: £10 per hour

Contracted hours: 36 hours per week

Annual leave: 5.6 weeks per year

Location: Kirkliston, Edinburgh