Health And Social Care Practitioner

The Support Worker will be expected to maintain a warm, supportive atmosphere in which service users are encouraged to manage their own lives through the values of inclusion and recovery. This includes providing service users with opportunities for personal growth and development, lifelong learning, and maintaining and/or building active links with the community. The service users’ rights to privacy, choice, safety, dignity, equality, and realising potential must be upheld. The support worker will encourage service users in activities for independent living and will participate in these when appropriate. The support worker will be expected to carry out their duties taking full account of the aims and objectives of the service, and to work at all times in line with Birchwood Highland policy, legislation, and professional guidance. The support worker may also be asked to undertake other tasks as required and as appropriate to the post holder’s skills. KEY TASKS SERVICE PROVISION Support service users to put into practice all the principles of safety in the home. To establish a supportive relationship with each service user. For those service users requiring more personal care, to support the individuals appropriately, preserving the individual’s dignity at all times. Support service users to manage their own tenancies by working with them on their individual support plans to maximise their recovery, independence, and inclusion in the community, and enable them to exercise choice in living their life. To maximise the service user’s individual responsibility and choice. To assist the service user in living and social skills, including identifying and accessing any appropriate natural sources of support such as family, friends, community groups etc and developing their social circle to help support independence To encourage service users to take their medication and where appropriate for some individuals to support in the administration of this – ensuring you adhere to the policies and guidance relating to administration of medication by support workers at all times, and have completed any required in-house medication training. To encourage and assist service users in occupational and leisure activities, and as far as possible enable them to take part in activities, and access facilities on the same terms as other people living in the area, according to their wishes. Ensure that service users are protected from discrimination, and enable individuals to maintain or develop their cultural identity, and pursue religious beliefs and/or observances or none. Support service users in living a healthy lifestyle and staying well, including accessing a range of information and services and enabling informed choices to be made. Whilst all staff should encourage and support service users to use public transport, it is recognised that there maybe occasion when a staff member will be required to use their own transport to enable them to accompany service users to appointments or other activities. To be involved in individual plans for service users and ensure that methods of working contribute to the success of these plans. To complete monthly summaries with service users and maintain other records and provide information for service users’ reviews. To liaise with other professionals involved with service users and to involve other professionals in times of concern. To be involved in regular, on-going assessments of service user needs – ensuring that individual’s support plans are implemented in practice in line with assessed needs and service user choice To be aware of and follow the principals of the National Care Standards for housing/home support. Supporting service users with particular communication and advocacy needs if/when required. Advise the team manager of any changes in service user needs, which may affect support hours. To be familiar with the agreed aims and objectives of the service and to be able to put them in practice. To participate in service user meetings where appropriate. To be accountable for your own actions and personal and professional development and to complete training within an agreed timescale (as identified and agreed with the team manager). To communicate effectively within and out with the team, both verbally and in written form. To be aware of the guidance outlined in the operational staff handbook, and ensure you apply the principles in practice. To participate in training for any development needs identified and required for the post and to complete on an on-going basis a continuous learning framework portfolio of evidence as part of the SSSC registration requirements. In line with the Health and Safety Act of 1974, take care of your own health and safety at work, and that of any service users, colleagues, and/or visitors. FINANCE The Company’s financial regulations must be followed at all times. GENERAL To assist the Team Manager to support volunteers and students on placements as required. CRITICAL COMPETENCIES Good interpersonal skills QUALIFICATIONS/EXPERIENCE Desirable Previous experience in social care preferred. Relevant transferable skills. Previous knowledge of or experience of mental health issues desirable. HNC in social care or SVQ Level 3 an advantage. The successful candidate will be expected as part of the terms and conditions of the post to undertake SVQ 3 in Social Care if they do not already hold this qualification, and to register as required with the SSSC. CAPABILITIES Is aware of their own values, attitudes and cultural assumptions, and that these may have an impact on others, and accordingly is able to behave professionally. Demonstrates a commitment to the development of their own skills and knowledge Understands that they will be required to actively seek and take part in learning opportunities Is aware that they will be required to adapt to change to continually meet the needs of the people they support, their friends, partners, spouses, family and carers as relevant Is aware of the need to be adaptable within their role Is aware of the need to show initiative Good communication skills, both oral and written Flexible approach to service requirements, including flexible shift work patterns Is aware that everyone has different feelings and values and is aware of the need to respect and acknowledge these at all times Demonstrates an awareness of the needs of individuals who use services Understands the need for a clear commitment to people who use services and their carers in delivering a high quality service that meets their needs OTHER JOB SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS A full UK driving Licence and access to own transport with business insurance Basic IT skills to include ability to deal with reports, email, intranet, and internet The Company reserves the right to amend or change the above responsibilities to enable changing business needs to be met. STANDARDS OF PRACTICE The post holder will be personally responsible for registering with SSSC, for maintaining their registration, and complying with any requirements relating to registration set out by SSSC, including any training requirements. The post holder has a personal responsibility as a social care worker to adhere to SSSC codes of practice, and these can be seen at: post holder must also take personal responsibility for being familiar with, and implementing the quality areas outlined by the Care Inspectorate, and the relevant National Care Standards that are based on: Dignity, Privacy, Choice, Safety, Realising Potential, and Equality and Diversity. In addition the post holder has a personal responsibility to deliver the service in line with the principles of Self Directed Support. SUMMARY OF TERMS AND CONDITIONS The post holder will hold a current and satisfactory PVG scheme membership or will secure this prior to commencement in post. The post will be offered subject to two acceptable references and health clearance. The appointment is subject to a six-month probationary period. The post holder will participate in monthly supervision sessions and will have an annual appraisal. The list of duties in this job description is not intended to be exhaustive but highlights a number of the major tasks of the post. You may be required to undertake additional duties, which might reasonably be expected of you and which form part of the function of the post.