Senior Support Worker

at  Wiltshire Council

To lead a team of support workers. Provide ongoing monitoring, support and supervision to support workers. The post holder will ensure that services are delivered to the highest standards, providing robust quality assurance, compliant with all legal and statutory requirements and within an effective and efficient performance management and budgetary framework. Specific duties and responsibilities: Work closely with the Team Leader and other relevant colleagues creating person centered and CQC compliant support plans.
Attend the customers first visit from the Wiltshire Support at Home service to introduce the service and support the customer in understanding the support approach. Be able to undertake risk assessment and encourage positive risk-taking approach. Complete risk assessments which may include environmental, medication and mobility, working with customers and support workers to manage risk and record actions and strategies agreed. Instigate where appropriate the management and oversight of the correct procedures for carrying out Medication Assessments and the completion of paperwork to be placed in the customers home for the Support Workers Liaise with health colleagues to raise any medication concerns and seek appropriate instructions and guidance Work collaboratively with partners this may include Health Teams, Care Homes, Care Agencies and Hospitals.
Have a good understanding of the discharge process and requirements of supporting people recently discharged from hospital, take responsibility for ensuring that relevant information (health conditions and medication) is gathered, and systems are in place to ensure the customer and staff remain safe and risks are managed appropriately. Assist in the provision of appropriate safe care, in accordance with the regulations and quality standards. When leading out of hours cover, initiative will need to be taken to ensure the team are following correct procedures. Have a thorough knowledge of CQC regulations and how they enforce them through the inspection process.
Complete, distribute and monitor paperwork required by CQC registration, and held in the customers home, for the provision of a r service, such as medication administration records. Ensure all paperwork is compliant, thorough and well-maintained to ensure the service is inspection ready. Drive effective and consistent communication between professionals and the customer and their family to ensure all agencies are working in partnership and the risk of duplication and repetition is reduced. To respond in a timely and professional manner to referrals and feedback as required on the progress of these referrals.
Provide customers (and where appropriate their representatives) with information about the Wiltshire Support at Home service including expectations and contact details, advising how customers can raise concerns. Record all contacts accurately and in a timely way. Keep all information about customers and their families secure and confidential. Capture and record relevant actions, events and decisions in accordance with case management principles.
Monitor customers progress and achievement of goals. Working under the direction of their line manager ensure that the Wiltshire Support at Home service runs smoothly and efficiently. Exhibit good organisational skills and a flexible approach to support the team through any disruptions/changes within the daily routine. Report changes in support plan visits to the case manager and allocator as soon as practically possible.
Liaise with the Senior Planner to match support workers with customers Provide information, support and guidance to support workers to enable them to safely and effectively provide support as agreed in the support plan. Ensure that support workers are working to the support plans and those services are delivered in accordance with the identified needs of customers. Deal effectively with on-call/emergency issues, for example covering visits directly or indirectly when support workers are sick or absent. Provide timely feedback to the team of issues arising out of hours.
As the Senior support worker, decisions will need to be made with authority. Participate in transfers of customers requiring further support to another internal team or alternative provider. Positively engage in regular supervision sessions, preparing appropriately and ensuring agreed actions are undertaken in an agreed time frame. Monitor and provide support to a small group of support workers ensuring that their performance in the delivery of the service meets the required standards.
Promote continued professional development, reflective practice and evidence-based learning. Alert the Team Leader to any concerns. Participate in the appraisal of a staff. Where improving work performance or HR procedures are implemented support and work under the direction of the Team Leader.
Provide additional support where development needs are identified, undertake in service 1:1 training where appropriate, participate in the delivery of in-service training to small groups of staff. Under the direction of the Team Leader participate in the Induction of new staff, this may include arranging, mentoring with another staff member, shadowing and in the field training. Monitor the delivery of support, in line with the service policies this will include the following tasks: o Reviewing daily communications o Observation of support visits o One to one supervision o Spot-checks of practice o Audit files. Have an expert awareness of safeguarding in line with Wiltshire policy, including making referrals and participating in safeguarding investigations.
Using experience, knowledge and skills to identify the signs of abuse and neglect and follow agreed local protocols to ensure customers are protected from harm/risk of harm. Be an ambassador for the Council and the department at all times, always representing the Council positively, professionally and appropriately at meetings with customers, external partners and agencies. Be able to respond to civil emergencies under instruction Take a lead in challenging practice to make improvements to service

Please refer the Job description for details