What I will be doing as aCommunity & Vocational Support Worker

To read and keep up to date with necessary paperwork in my work area on each client such as person centred plans, support plans, risk assessments etc.

To support service users to continually develop their social skills and promoting independence by participating in the following activities and practical skill based learning.Participate in all group activities;

Horticulture, Animal Husbandry & Woodlands - working predominantly outdoors in horticulture (planting/machinery), woodland area projects, animal care and taking part in activities such as swimming, walking, horse riding,

Performing Arts - working across the 3 performing arts areas. Supporting service users in engaging and reaching their full potential in music, dance, drama, choir and band practice!

Social Enterprise - The Social Enterprise is a diverse area with different departments on different sites.

Within the Social Enterprise we have a coffee shop/retail shop, garden centre, landscaping team, woodwork department, reception area, work placements and manage the Port Sunlight River Park. Support staff will be expected to work within any of these areas.

Fitness & Wellbeing – Working towards improving the services users Health and Well-being within a wide range of activities on a number of sites. This includes Duke of Edinburgh Awards, Gate Way Awards, Rock Climbing, Canoeing, Gymnasium, cycling, Swimming, Narrow boat and various Projects within the community.

ICT, Media Creative Arts - ICT, Media, Creative Arts – Work within a creative department encouraging talent and imagination through painting, model making, sewing, photography, animation and using various software programs within ICT.

Attend to the personal care of service users such as toileting (washing/bathing if required).

Administer medication (full training provided)

Deal with various levels of behaviour (full training provided)

Complete necessary paperwork/on line systems

We hope you enjoy working here as a Support Worker and find it a rewarding experience

Page 1 of 7

Summary of Terms & Benefits

Support Worker Community & Vocational Services

Hours are 35 per week, 9.15 am to 4.15 pm, Monday to Friday. Occasionally evening shifts and a weekend shift may be required. Attendance at meetings, courses etc. out of normal hours and at locations outside the Wirral may be required.

Salary £13,687 per annum

25 days (5 weeks) plus 8 days statutory bank holiday entitlement

One additional days holiday is awarded following completion of 5 years’ service and two additional days on completion of 10 years’ service

Company Sick pay scheme, rising to 8 weeks full and 8 weeks half pay

Attendance incentive scheme

Access to a defined contribution pension scheme (NEST) with a contribution from the Society

Instant access to the tax free child care voucher scheme operated in conjunction with Sodexo

Twice yearly implementation to the tax free cycle to work scheme, The posts are Wirral based but you may be required to work at other locations within the organisation

Comprehensive training programme and access to further qualifications

Page 2 of 7

Person Specification

Community & Vocational Services (CVS) - Support Worker

Requirements Essential Desirable1. Qualifications

a. Relevant qualifications e.g. QCF / NVQ level 2 in Care

b. Education to at least GCSE or equivalentc. First Aid qualification

2. Knowledge

a. Knowledge of people with learning difficultiesb. Basic understanding of people with autismc. Understanding of the importance of confidentialityd. Knowledge of activities within the CVS

3. Experience

a. Experience of working with people with learning difficulties/challenging behaviour

b. Working with people in vocational & community setting

c. Attending to the personal care of a service userd. Experience of activities within the CVS

4. Work Qualities

a. Commitment to person centred approachesb. High standard of carec. Good oral and written communication skillsd. Ability to encourage and motivate otherse. Ability to work alone and be proactive with service

users

5. Personal Qualities/Circumstances

a. Ability to driveb. Flexibility to be able to work within all activity areasc. Commitments to service users rightsd. Commitment to equal opportunitiese. Ability to be away from home overnight for service

users holidays and training

Job Description

CVS (Community & Vocational Services)Page 3 of 7

Support Worker & Escort Duties (when applicable)

Main Purpose of the Post:

To attend as part of a caring team, to the personal needs of the service users in line with the individual service users care plan. Personal needs may be interpreted as social, physical, emotional, intellectual and cultural.

Responsible to:

Firstly to an Activity Leader or Activity Manager, further to a Service Manager and ultimately the CVS Quality & Development Manager.

Responsible for:

Service Users within allocated community based service

Relationships:

To establish and maintain good working relationships with all staff To liaise with Families and other outside agencies To work in conjunction with the residential services

Location:

You will be based mainly within a designated Service Area although you may be required to work at any location within the Society.

Physical Conditions:

The work can be physically demanding and can be based either indoors or outdoors.

Main tasks:

1. To assist the service users in performing physical tasks personal and intimate care tasks.

2. To ensure, if appropriately trained, that service user’s health and medical needs are met.

3. To ensure that you raise any safeguarding issues immediately with your line manager and in accordance with the safeguarding policy.

Page 4 of 7

4. To support the service users to develop their social skills, supporting them to maintain and form new social contacts.

5. To supervise individuals or groups of service users in the absence of Activity Leaders or Activity Managers.

6. To ensure that the service users are supported in line with their person centred support plan and risk assessment.

7. As allocated to be a key worker to specific service user and contribute to their person centred support plan, risk assessment and person centred plan.

8. To attend meeting and contribute to discussion’s which ensure high quality of service delivery. Meetings may fall outside of normal working hours.

9. To ensure that when supporting a service user in the community based service that support is autism specific and person centred.

10.To ensure that detailed records and reports are completed.

11.To contribute towards service users personal risk assessments and follow these risk assessments when supporting service users.

12.To ensure that good lines of communication are established with the service users’ home and/or residential / supported living service.

13.To contribute to and attend service users annual review.

14.To ensure that you follow service area and the activities based risk assessments.

15.To ensure that you follow the service area’s fire safety standards.

16.To ensure that you adhere to COSHH regulations.

17.To maintain a high standard of ‘Good Housekeeping’ ensuring that all areas are clean and tidy.

18.You may be required to drive organisation vehicles in the performance of your duties.

19.To ensure that the equipment within the service areas are treated with respect reporting any faults or damages to the Activity Manager.

20.To ensure that you read all new policies as they are distributed and adhere to all policies which are found in the policy files in each service area.

Page 5 of 7

21.To ensure that you act in a professional manner at all times.

22.To participate in and travel to ‘off site’ community and vocational activities in support of service users.

23.Liaise with the CVS Management Team and Drivers to establish the arrangements of escort duty for each trip

In addition to the above list, staff contracted to work Escort Duties will:

Be Responsible for: Service users in transit

1. Escort service users on transport between the hours of 8.45am and 4.45pm or between 9.00am and 4.30pm (dependent on your individual contracted hours) as required by CVS management Team or representatives.

2. Where the appropriate driving qualification and requirements are met with, to act as a driver in a range of different vehicles, as arranged through the CVS Management Team

3. Be aware of those service users likely to have no road safety skills or are unable without support to negotiate without risk, the distance between the bus and their destination and take the adequate precautions.

4. If required, be responsible in transit, for any personal possessions of their service users and in handing over those possessions to either the service users (if appropriate) or to appropriate staff at destination.

5. Be responsible for ensuring the service users are using the seat belts and other safety equipment provided.

6. Accept and act upon the driver’s judgement and instructions regarding the safety issues surrounding the trip.

7. When normal transport duties are not required, to assist with cleaning, replenishment of supplies, preparation of the area to be fit for purpose – including the preparation of autism specific resources and provision

Other:

Page 6 of 7

All staff are required to represent and promote Autism Together in a professional and responsible manner at all times.

Staff are required to undertake, in exceptional circumstances, and following prior consultation, other duties which may, from time to time be specified by senior management.

As with all posts, a high degree of confidentiality is expected at all time. At no times will the post holder discuss service users, staff or any confidential matter connected with Autism Together, outside of the company.

This is intended as a guide to the main responsibilities of the post, and is not an exhaustive list of duties. This Job description is subject to amendments following consultation with the post holder.

February 2017

Page 7 of 7