JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title: Relief Support Worker – Learning Disability Care Services.
Accountable to: Senior Support Worker/Team Leader/Manager.

KEY SKILLS

· An understanding of the rights and needs of people with disabilities.
· Proven ability to successfully work within a team.
· Knowledge of safeguarding vulnerable people.
· Knowledge & understanding of confidentiality & professional working practices.
· Understanding & commitment to equality & diversity.
· Good verbal communication & listening skills.
· Good written communication skills with ability to accurately contribute to a record keeping system.
· Ability to promote a positive image of people with a disability.
· Ability to follow agreed care programmes and report back progress.
· A good team player.
· Ability to work unsupervised (after training).
· Sufficient agility and dexterity to assist people with mobility limitations.
· NVQ/QCF level 2/3 in Health and Social Care or equivalent.
· At least 1 year experience of working in a social care role.
· Experience of supporting vulnerable people.

JOB PURPOSE:

To contribute to providing a safe, effective, caring, responsive and well led housing, support
& care service to adults with learning disabilities, physical disabilities & sensory impairments
in the Dudley borough as specified by the Care Quality Commission.
This job description is generic to all Support Workers within CHADD’s care services. The duties will be further determined by the individual needs of the service users. The context in which support is provided may vary according to the service users’ living environment which may include a residential care home setting, supported living or floating support within a domiciliary care setting, dependent on where the job vacancy is situated.

MAIN DUTIES

1. To develop warm and trusting relationships with service users and encourage them, through the support planning process, to express their needs, goals, views and concerns.
2. To respect the service users’ right to privacy and to ensure that their dignity is maintained at all times.
3. To be flexible and responsive to the needs of the service users as directed by their individual support plans.
4. To support service users to develop practical and social skills to maximise their self-care and independent living skills, and where necessary assist with household tasks such as cleaning, cooking, laundry, shopping, etc, so that their home is safe, hygienic and comfortable.
5. To provide personal care in a sensitive and dignified way and in accordance with the service users wishes.
6. To support service users to take prescribed medications, to monitor service users who self-medicate, to liaise with health professionals on the service users’ behalf and to report any side effects related to medication.
7. To promote a healthy lifestyle and to give person centred advice and encouragement in respect of diet, exercise, leisure activities & wellbeing initiatives.
8. To inform the Senior Support Worker/Team Leader/Manager of any concerns or significant changes in the service users’ needs and circumstances and to report any safeguarding concerns immediately.
9. To support service users in budgeting and managing their finances and to ensure that they are able to maximise their income by liaising with welfare agencies.
10. To promote the service users’ self-esteem and confidence and enable them to express their preferences, make choices, decisions and express their personal identity.
11. To maintain a high level of customer care and encourage feedback from service users, their families and other agencies. To promptly report and document all comments, compliments and complaints and pass onto senior staff.
12. To take appropriate action in the event of emergencies, ensuring that the Senior Support Worker/Team Leader/ Manager are informed promptly.
13. To report repairs to property or equipment as per guidelines and to alert the Senior Support Worker/Team Leader/Manager immediately of any concerns in relation to Health and Safety.
14. To ensure that accurate records are kept in the correct format.
15. To ensure that all financial transactions relating to the project or service users are promptly and accurately recorded within the agreed guidelines.