Who are we:
Vines support services specialises in Semi-Independent Living that provides a high standard of accommodation, supportive and safe environment. We aim to ensure young people are able to develop and maintain self -respect, self-reliance and self-care skills and enable them to make informed and age-appropriate decisions concerning their present and future.
We work in close partnership with local authorities to identify and meet the needs of their children, providing safe, secure and therapeutic placements. We work hard to ensure children experience love, care, nurture and stability with our carers.
The Role:
We are looking for a determined and compassionate Senior Support Worker to support the children/young people in placement, according to their needs as defined by the Placement Plan.
JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title: Senior Support Worker
Responsible To: Home Manager
Salary: £22,500 per annum –
Employment Terms: Full Time
Working Pattern: 37 hours per week, flexible working pattern to include evenings and weekends.
Job Purpose: You will work closely with Managers to enhance placement stability and to build positive relationships with the children/young people.
Offer support and advice to support workers
Main Duties and Responsibilities – To carry out a range of tasks such as:
- Hygiene routines
- Maintaining a clean and safe living environment
- Food preparation and healthy eating
- Food and grocery shopping and budgeting
- Joining and attending leisure and health activities
- Accessing and registering with health services
- Facilitating family contact
- Taking care of their emotional and mental health( training provided)
- Religious and cultural needs/preferences
- Managing emergencies ( training provided)
- Socialising and community integration
- Financial advice – bill payments, banking, savings and money management
- Access to advocacy services
- To record the care delivered accurately and that all entries are legible into the Young Person’s care records.
- To ensure records and documentation are maintained, kept confidential and meets the business standards in line with the Data Protection Act.
- To report any accidents or incidents as described by Vines Support Services policy andprocedures ensuring an open and transparent culture.
- To take reasonable care of the health and safety of themselves and of other persons.
- Support staff and professionals with the following:
- Support Carers with their daily responsibilities
- Attend looked after children’s meetings such as Looked after Child Reviews, Placement Planning meeting, Placement stability meetings , professionals meetings etc.
- Completing weekly reports, risk assessments and care plans for the Young Persons.
General and Special Conditions
- This post will require working outside normal office hours in order to meet the needs of the service. This will include some evening work, bank holidays and weekend work. This post will allow flexible working for the post holder.
- Experience within child care
- An understanding of challenging behaviours and trauma
- A good understanding of the needs of looked after children
- Demonstrable skills in written and spoken English, adequate to enable the
post holder to carry out the role effectively.
- Ability to work in different environments according to the needs of the business.
- Have a patient and empathic approach.
- Quick decision-making skills – calm approach and ability to liaise and consult
with other colleagues if required.
- This job description is a representative document. Other reasonably similar duties may be allocated from time to time commensurate with the general character of the post and its grading.
- All staff are responsible for the implementation of the Health & Safety Policy as far as it affects them, colleagues and others who may be affected by their work. The post holder is also expected to monitor the effectiveness of the Health & Safety arrangements and systems to ensure appropriate improvements are made where necessary.
- Since confidential information is involved with the duties of this post the post holder will be required to exercise discretion at all times and to observe relevant codes of practice and legislation in relation to data protection and personal information
- The post holder must be able to undertake, and participate in training, coaching and development activities, as appropriate. .
- Due to the nature of the work involved, an enhanced DBS will be required.
- Share a commitment to Equal Opportunities in all work practices and to improving the lives of Looked After Children.