Support Worker

Description:

The role involves providing care and support to our client who was born in 2009 and has cerebral palsy. He independently and proficiently drives his wheelchair and loves an active lifestyle. He enjoys socialising, adapted sport, swimming, the theatre and just being out and about.

He uses electronic communication, and also gesture/signs.

He requires support for all activities of daily living, including personal care and to provide him with social and leisure opportunities.

HOURS: Weekend days: (up to 6 per 4-week period)

School holiday days (up to 4 per week)

Option of additional hours to cover for annual and sick leave

RATES OF PAY:

£13.50 to £16 per hour dependant on experience

Sleeping night on occasional basis MNW/NLW

MAIN DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

* To assist with our clients physical and personal needs, including personal hygiene, teeth cleaning, bathing, and dressing/undressing. Assisting him to eat and drink - including the use of his PEG which is generally only used for water and medication

* To promote our clients learning and independence both in his home and community.

* To provide support to enable him to access and participate in social and leisure activities. This may be through providing physical assistance, verbal encouragement and/or instruction, using moving and handling equipment etc.

* To be proactive in relation to supporting our client’s communication and in making his wishes understood

* In liaison with therapists, to assist integrating therapeutic activities, into his day

* Work cooperatively with our client’s parents, the senior support worker, therapists and the case manager, to offer him the best opportunity to fulfil his potential.

* Use your own initiative when implementing advice or recommendations from therapists.

* Provide domestic assistance when needed to ensure that our client maintains a healthy, clean and safe environment. This including the cleaning of his equipment.

* Support our client and his parents with all aspects of care, both within the family home and in the wider community.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential

* A Moving and Handling Management Plan designed to reduce the risk of handling injuries may require you to bend, kneel, squat or lunge to ensure good posture during handling tasks.

* Aptitude and desire to work with children and young people

* Be reliable, trustworthy, a clear communicator and have a good sense of humour.

* Have a proactive encouraging approach to include developing an appropriate range of activities.

* Willing to participate in a variety of outdoor activities. Water confident.

* Basic understanding of the principles of rehabilitation

* Demonstrate the ability to carry out/the ability and willingness to learn new skills, to include the use of a standing transfer aid, hoist, PEG management and carrying out therapy programmes.

* Able to maintain effective working relationships.

* Responsibility for personal conduct and an ability to work alone, unsupervised and on own initiative when necessary. Well organised and an ability to remain calm and cope in difficult or emergency situations.

* Good written skills and the ability to keep adequate written records of care given and own hours worked. Confident with using I.T

* Able to practice as a competent support worker and provide evidence to demonstrate this. Able to demonstrate a good understanding of the importance of maintaining confidentiality and to respect our client and their family's need for privacy.

* Confident about working in client’s own home and sensitive to the needs and wishes of his parents.

* Full clean driving license and able/confident to drive the clients large, adapted vehicle for work purposes.

* Flexible - to help with our client’s sibling and general running of the household as and when the need arises.

* Be happy to work within a home where there is a family dog

Desirable

* Experience of working with children/adults with special needs (This is preferred but enthusiasm, patience and willingness to learn is essential).

* Qualifications in caring for children/young people with severe disabilities

* Experience of carrying out therapy programmes.

* Previous experience of hoisting and using specialist equipment with people with a disability

* Experience using AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) and other specialist IT technology

* Able to work flexible hours according to the needs of our Client

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Application deadline:

Job Types: Permanent

Salary range: £13.50 to £16 per hour dependant on experience