The role and responsibilities of a support worker is to say the least complex. To try and simplify this we have broken down the role into four elements. This list is not exhaustive and does not cover every aspect of the role or the responsibilities.
Supporting young adults (16-25) with complex trauma and behavioural challenges. We can support young people aged 16 to 25 living in private residential accommodation supported up to 24 hours a day, seven days a week by a mixture of experienced support workers and outreach support workers.
We can offer short term transitional services for the most vulnerable young people in society. We will support these young people during this difficult period offering stability, structure, a nurturing home and ethos.
Working in partnership with local authorities we also care for young people leaving foster care and residential care who need initial support in semi-independent living.
Job Type: Full-time, part time, bank, waking night support
CHILD CARE PRACTICE
? To contribute to the normal development of the children and young people through the provision of a healthy lifestyle, stimulating activities and a consistent and caring adult model.
? To be alerted to signs of distress or abuse and to ensure that the young people are monitored and protected – to report any concerns to senior workers.
? To be sensitive to the needs of individual children, taking account of race, culture, language and religion.
? To act as an appropriate role model at all times.
? To talk and listen to children and to observe their behaviour and record significant features.
? To contribute to care planning, participating in reviews and other meetings as required and to assist in the implementation of placement plans.
? To provide additional support and comfort to children under stress.
? To control children who need boundaries set to their behaviour and when necessary carry out restraints.
? To provide for children’s physical needs as necessary by cooking, washing, ironing, shopping, budgeting or by enabling young people to carry out such tasks for themselves.
? To be able to work closely with other agencies and social workers as necessary.
? To develop appropriate relationships with family members as necessary.
RELATIONS WITH COLLEAGUES
? To be part of the staff team, supporting colleagues and being prepared to receive support as necessary.
? To participate in House Meetings as required.
? To act flexibly, within reasonable boundaries, in order to ensure necessary cover for residential homes.
? To inform colleagues of relevant developments, for example, during handover.
? To be part of the shift pattern process ensuring any concerns are passed on.
? To ensure you are aware of all risk assessments appertaining to residents – and that your colleagues are aware.
? To challenge inappropriate practises.
HOUSEHOLD RESPONSIBILITIES
? To share in the practical activities necessary to maintain the home.
? To report health and safety issues that may arise.
? To care for household items, equipment and grounds.
? To ensure you are up-to-date with risk assessments relevant to your role.
PERSONAL
? To keep abreast of good practice in order to develop skills, knowledge and experience, in accordance with personal development reviews.
? To make regular use of regular professional supervision and appraisals.
? To report to a Line Manager, or other appropriate person, malpractices or evidence which may suggest it.
? To take part in all relevant training including NVQ – caring for children and young people.
? To wear clothing appropriate to role and task.
Brief description of the role
To ensure that each child/young person in placement is safe, and to ensure that you do everything in your power to promote and maintain their safety. To provide a caring, stimulating and secure environment for children and young people, their families and carers. To work as part of a team contributing to meeting the needs of the children in accordance with agreed care plans. To offer realistic and appropriate models of behaviour for life in the community.
Relevant Qualifications
National Vocational Qualification 3 (Caring for Children and Young People). Training will be provided. However, all new staff should be aware that there is an expectation that NVQ 3 is achieved within certain timescales. Or similar
Relevant Experience
Experience of working with children in a care environment preferred.
Experience of working with members of the public
Working with people within the care sector
Salary
Negotiable dependant on qualification and experience - £12.00 - £13.25 per hour
Sleep in rate - £96
16 hour shifts throughout the days and waking nights between 11pm and 7am
Working Conditions
The post requires that staff work shifts which includes an overnight sleep in on the site of the children’s home
All staff are required to work weekends and bank holidays as part of a rota system
Shifts will mainly be 16-24 hours however we are also looking for support with sleep ins, day and evening hours.
The post entitles to the holder to the national annual leave entitlements which are based on shifts rather than days. This can be fully explained at interview.
An enhanced CRB is a requirement of the post.
Under new Health & Safety regulations, it is a requirement that all employees familiarise themselves with our Health & Safety policy. Employees are required to comply in all relevant areas and to take responsibility for their own health & safety on a day-to-day basis.
Futur3s South West provides comprehensive semi independent living services throughout the South West area. Our services are located close to transport links and local amenities. With experienced support provided up to 24 hours a day offering high level, structured, supervised, singleton or group living arrangement.