Waking Nights Support Worker

Job summary Salary:£25,183 - £25,992 pro rata (plus 33% Waking Nights Plussage)Hours per week:32 hoursInterview date:To be confirmed after shortlistingMeadow Lodge - Short Break Service - Promoting Health, Ensuring CareWe are passionate about our community and take pride in our work.
We encourage a culture that puts our customers at the heart of everything we do, through trust and respect, empowering people to develop skills, collaborate and innovate to find solutions, be open, take responsibility, to listen and learn.
Main duties of the job At Meadow Lodge we are a four bedded Short Break service for adults with learning disabilities and/or autism.
As a Support Worker, you will be required to work in a person-centred manner, promoting well-being, choices, dignity and independence.We provide full training, including the nationally recognised Care Certificate, as well as training tailored to the needs of the people you support, an in-depth and thorough induction and plenty of career development opportunities.
You will be supported to undertake a 26-week probationary period with regular meetings throughout this period to monitor progress and enable us to identify any areas that we can offer you additional support.
About us Wiltshire Council is a friendly, welcoming place to work, with a 'One Council' ethos.
Thats why we focus on getting the things that matter to our people right.
Job description Job responsibilities Specific duties and responsibilities include: Work in a person-centred way with customers and promote their wellbeing, choices, dignity and independence.
This will be achieved through the key-worker system.
Planning activities for and with customers, taking into account differing needs, wishes and preferences.
Creation of menus taking into account medical conditions, wishes, preferences, diets, etc Support customers either living in their own home, or whilst visiting the settings.
Where appropriate, support customers to understand and maintain their tenancies, or licence agreements.
Support customers moving into or out of the property; to be involved in the planning, preparation and execution of the move, or stay at short break services.
Encourage and support customers in their personal, social (including religious), and leisure and work activities.
Support customers maintain and develop relationships.
When required undertake sleeping-in duties or waking night duties on the premises.
Act as a link person between the customer and work, college or leisure establishments and advising those establishments as necessary on the requirements or needs of the customer.
Provide emotional and practical support for customers with everyday issues or when customersare faced with more difficult decisions or experiences.
Assist/support customers with all aspects of their financial and home management so that financial commitments (paying bills, shopping, benefit claims, etc) are met.
Assist customers with household tasks.
Where required, assist customers in administering their own medicine, or administer medication to customers if this is required.
Seek advice and guidance from Senior support workers and the Team Leader.Only in exceptional circumstances will the postholder will be responsible for running shifts and should normally have access to more senior staff members whilst on shift.
Focus on the individual, their strengths, choices, assets and goals through person centred planningCommunication with colleagues and others: Advise the Senior support worker or the Team Leader of any significant risk to a customer as soon as reasonably practical.
Maintain regular informal and formal communication links with other colleagues to ensure a smooth hand-over at the start and end of a shift.
Where customers are living with a high degree of independence, the post holder should maintain regular telephone contact with them, as per guidelines and/or risk assessments in place.
Engage in regular supervision sessions with either the Senior support worker or Team Leader.
In the event of a serious incident or accident, contact appropriate outside agencies, such as GP, hospital, fire brigade or police, as well as your immediate line manager (or out of hours On-Call Manager).Administration: Accurately complete all records required in accordance with Wiltshire Council policies and procedures.
Undertake learning opportunities relevant to the service the post holder works within; The post holder may be required to travel between the settings and other locations; Maintain the confidentiality of all information concerning customers; Undertake any such other duties as are required and are appropriate to the job; This post will involve unsocial and weekend working, as well as sleep-in duties Have a flexible approach and work within a varied rota including on call, evenings, weekends and sleeping-in, and waking nights duties, as responsibilities and customers needs may change.Specific requirements: Flexibility is required in order to provide a responsive service to emergency situations, ensuring the safety and well-being of those at the home, which may involve working outside core hours.
The postholder will need to be flexible in terms of work locations, dividing time between respite and day settings as required.
Have a flexible approach and work within a varied rota including on call, evenings, weekends, sleeping-in and waking night duties.
The postholder will need to be able to remain awake and alert whilst undertaking waking nights duties.
The postholder will need to be physically fit to perform all aspects of the role Person Specification Qualifications Essential Qualifications or equivalent level of skill or knowledge General Education to GCSE A*-C or equivalent skills and experience Current knowledge of relevant legislation and guidance in relation to working with, and the safeguarding of, vulnerable adults Willingness to undertake L2 Diploma in Health & Social Care (Adults) Proven ability to use a variety of communication methods effectively Physically fit and able to perform all requirements of the job role Previous experience of building good working relationships and teamworking Proven ability of being able to remain calm and make decisions in difficult situations Fluent in English Desirable L2 Diploma in Health & Social Care (Adults) or equivalent Knowledge of First Aid and experience of applying it Awareness of health and safety requirements and able to perform moving & handling safely Knowledge of the principles of Food Hygiene Knowledge of the Person-centred approach Good IT skills Experience of supporting people on a one to one basis Driver Experience Essential Experience which demonstrates ability to undertake the role.
An understanding of relevant procedures and working practices.
Awareness and understanding of the client group.
Training and knowledge in a range of procedures and medical equipment to support clients.
Basic knowledge of Wiltshire Council professional groups and external agencies, relevant to the role.
Sensitivity and empathy to build trusting and supportive relationships with clients and families.
Care skills and basic knowledge of mobility, nutrition and financial issues in order to provide practical, emotional support to clients and families.
Ability to follow routines, carry out set care plans, record and monitor changes in client condition Basic literacy and numeracy.
Ability to communicate one to one and in small groups with relevant client group.