Date as Postmarked Reference: 6469 Community Support Worker Tameside Community Service Thank you for your interest in the above post, please find the specific role requirements and duties for this post detailed within this document. When completing the application form you may submit additional documentation however we cannot accept a CV as a completed application. Please note the following: Once you have submitted or posted your application form allow 10 working days after the closing date for a response. As we do not notify applicants of an unsuccessful application, if no response has been received within this time, please accept this as confirmation that your application has been unsuccessful. Unsuccessful applicants must wait 6 months before applying for a vacancy at Creative Support. Please return the completed application form to Creative Support in the enclosed Freepost envelope or to Recruitment, 5 th Floor, Head Office, 35 Dale Street, Tameside, M1 2HF. Due to our charitable organisational status all application forms submitted without use of the Freepost envelope must be done so using the correct postage amount. Creative Support cannot accept receipt of forms which carry a surcharge due to incorrect postage amounts. Closing Date : 13 December 2013 Yours faithfully Recruitment Department Encs: Application Form Philosophy Statement Additional Information Finalised: 19 November 2013 Finalised by: M. Kerton All candidates are subjected to DBS checks Page 1 of 10
JOB DESCRIPTION COMMUNITY SUPPORT WORKER Tameside Community Service Hours: Responsible To: Zero Hours Team Leader/Project Manager Range of Services Tameside Community Services provides personal care and support to adults with mental health needs and adults who have a learning disability. The current range of services includes: Visiting support to adults with mental health needs to carry out housing or support tasks Supporting people with a learning disability in adult education Main Tasks Based in Tameside and the surrounding areas you will visit service users to provide contact, care and support to people with a range of needs including mental health needs, or a learning disability. This will include visiting clients in their own or family homes and in other settings as part of a structured package of personal care. To offer relief and practical or emotional support to carers as appropriate. Care and Support of Clients and their Carers Mental Health 1. To provide person centred practical, emotional and social support according to individual need. 2. To encourage, support and assist clients (in the following areas) so as to maximise and build on their existing skills: i) Social, leisure and work activities ii) Using community resources and facilities iii) Budgeting and managing personal finances iv) Shopping and the preparation of meals v) General housework and self care vi) Managing a tenancy 3. To develop warm and trusting relationships with clients and their carers to encourage them to express their needs, views and concerns. 4. To provide support to service users during times of emotional distress. 5. To provide respite for carers. 6. To respect the clients right to privacy and to ensure that their dignity is maintained at all times. 7. To discuss with each service user the meaning of confidentiality in the context of your work with them. 8. To accept and respect all clients as individuals with rights, responsibilities and basic human needs. Page 2 of 10
9. To enhance the confidence and coping abilities of clients through encouragement and positive feedback. 10. To encourage clients to make choices and decisions. 11. To notify the relevant Care Co-ordinator of any changes in the client's needs and circumstances. 12. To monitor compliance with and the side effects of medication. Care and Support of People Who Have a Learning Disability 1. To develop and sustain warm and trusting relationships with service users. 2. To promote the self-esteem, happiness and emotional health of service users. 3. To respect the client s right to privacy and to ensure that their dignity is maintained at all times. 4. To encourage and support service users in expressing their needs, views and concerns. To enable service users make choices and decisions and to participate as fully as possible in planning and decision-making processes. 5. To respect and promote the rights and entitlements of people with learning disabilities, and to enable them to participate as fully as possible in their communities. 6. To be responsive to the individual needs of service users within the framework of their Person Centred Plans and to respond flexibly to changing needs. 7. To assist service users as required in the following areas: Social skills/relationships Personal care & hygiene Daily living skills Using community resources and facilities Social, leisure and work activities Self organisation and coping abilities Personal safety Encouraging service users to become as independent as possible 8. To provide the provision of practical assistance, support, therapeutic recreation and education sessions, teaching, advice, role modelling, encouragement and positive feedback. 9. To support people who express their frustrations and needs through challenging behaviour by using appropriate strategies and intervention frameworks as specified by the Person Centred Plan. 10. To work within agreed management protocols and guidelines for individuals with complex needs. Page 3 of 10
11. To ensure that service users receive all necessary advice, care and regular health checks to ensure their physical health and well being. To promote nutrition, relaxation, exercise and a healthy lifestyle as identified in their care plan. 12. To support service users in claiming their full benefit entitlement, budgeting and managing their personal finances as identified in their care plan. 13. To support service users in developing a socially valued lifestyle which includes a varied range of culturally and age appropriate experiences, building on the strengths, interests and aspirations of the service user. To enable people to access social, leisure, work and educational opportunities. 14. To enable service users to access developmental opportunities, new experiences and challenges, whilst not being exposed to unacceptable risks. 15. To assist service users in the administration and monitoring of prescribed medication in accordance with the Policy. 16. To observe and monitor the service users emotional and physical well being and to inform relevant staff, agencies, or carers of any concerns or significant changes in their needs, behaviour and circumstances. 17. To take appropriate action in the event of unforeseen emergencies, ensuring that the Project Manager is informed promptly. General 1. To carry out general administrative duties and housing management tasks as required. 2. To contribute to service users reviews as required through the provision of written and verbal reports by attending care planning meetings as required. 3. To contribute to project records and individual case files. 4. To carry out all financial transactions within agency guidelines. 5. To respond flexibly to changing needs under the direction of the Team Leader and the client's Care Co-ordinator. 6. To take appropriate action in the event of emergencies, ensuring that the Team Leader and Care Co-ordinator are informed promptly. 7. To follow health and safety guidelines carefully and to alert the Team Leader immediately of any concerns in relation to health and safety issues. 8. To use Creative Support s Duty Manager Systems or 24 hour on-call to pass on relevant information. 9. To ensure that the date, time and nature of all client contacts are accurately recorded. Page 4 of 10
10. To provide respectful personal care in accordance with the needs, wishes and preferred routines outlined in the individual s personal support plans. Some individuals will require support with their physical/mobility disabilities and may require support in wheelchairs, using hoists and other appropriate equipment to meet personal needs. Other 1. To notify the Team Leader/Project Manager of planned whereabouts and to submit accurate timesheets weekly. 2. To provide regular verbal and written reports to line manager. 3. To accept regular support and supervision from line manager. 4. To carry out all work in a manner consistent with the aims and service principles adopted by Creative Support. 5. To comply with and to implement the current Equal Opportunities Policy agreed by Creative Support. 6. To maintain confidentiality at all times, in accordance with the agreed policy. 7. To identify training needs in discussion with line manager and to attend training events and courses as required. 8. To observe any written policies, procedures and guidelines for good practice agreed by Creative Support. 9. All employees should be aware that due to the nature of work Creative Support undertakes there is a requirement to support service users with daily living skills and individual activities which will include moving and handling and may involve supporting people with personal care needs 10. In accordance with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, to actively participate in the prevention and control of infection within the capacity of the role. 11. Any other duties as required. Page 5 of 10
PERSON SPECIFICATION COMMUNITY SUPPORT WORKER Tameside Community Service Skills/Knowledge Requirement 1. Good verbal communication skills and ability to listen sensitively to others 2. Good written communication skills, with an ability to contribute to a record keeping system Assessed by Application Form 3. Good interpersonal skills 4. Ability to work as part of a team 5. A basic understanding of the needs of people with learning disabilities/mental; health needs 6. Ability to provide sympathetic, emotional, practical and personal support to clients 7. A common sense approach to problem solving and an ability to deal with conflict and distress 8. Ability to work without direct supervision in users home 9. Ability to liaise in a professional manner with other agencies 10. An understanding of the different cultural and religious observances of Asian communities in Tameside 11. An understanding of the aims and principles of Creative Support 12. Understanding of Equal Opportunities Policies adopted by Creative Support 13. An understanding of the needs of carers 14. To have a clean, valid driving licence and access to a car. Page 6 of 10
Experience 14. Experience of providing care, support or other services to adults with special needs in a community or residential setting. Desirable 15. Experience of working with people with learning disability or mental health needs Assessed by Application Form Desirable 16. Experience of working with and relating to people from a wide variety of backgrounds 17. Experience of working as a member of a team Desirable Personal 18. Warm, respectful and positive approach when working with service users 19. Willingness to work flexible hours according to needs of project, by mutual agreement 20. Willingness to attend training courses and events 21. Willing to participate in regular supervision with line manager 22. To have a clean driving licence and access to a car Assessed by Application Form Desirable 23. Ability to support service users with their physical health needs, this may include pushing wheelchairs and using hoists of which a degree of physical fitness will be required Assessed by Application Form, Pre-employment Forms and Interview Page 7 of 10
TERMS AND CONDITIONS COMMUNITY SUPPORT WORKER Tameside Community Service Pay Structure: Zero Hours. 7.40 per hour including travelling time. Sleep Ins: An additional payment of 26.50 is payable per night for sleep-ins. Waking Nights: All waking nights attract an additional payment of 1.20ph for each night actually worked. This is paid to all staff who work nights whether on the basis of regular waking nights, periodic night duty, internal rotation or occasional night duty. Bank Holidays: An enhancement is paid for working at Christmas and New Year. We do not pay enhancements for working evenings, weekends or any other public holiday. Bonus: Employees will be awarded a one off bonus payment of 100.00 (pro-rata for employees who are contracted to work less than 18.5 hours per week) once they have successfully completed their probationary period, which is subject to the following: Attendance is satisfactory End Probationary Review is satisfactory Induction Checklist is complete Line Managers recommendation Level 2 Health & Social Care Diploma: All employees will be required to undertake and complete the Level 2 Health and Social Care Diploma, or if the employee already has an NVQ but no Learning Disability qualification, they will need to complete the Level 2 Certificate in Learning Disabilities (applicable to Support Workers working in learning disability services only) as a condition of their employment. If you hold NVQ 2 health and social care or equivalent you will of course not need to do the award again, but we may support you to undertake qualifications. Hours of Work: Full or part time hours. Full time hours are 37.5 per week. To be worked flexibly on a rota which will include evenings, weekends and public holidays according to the needs of the service. Part time hours to be agreed subject to a minimum of 16 hours per week. In addition to your contracted hours you will be required to work sleep-ins for which you will be paid an additional 26.50 for each sleepin actually worked. Sleep-ins are additional to your contracted hours. Disclosure Checks: All appointments will be subject to DBS enhanced disclosure, ISA and POCA checks. Probationary Period: Page 8 of 10
The first six months will constitute a probationary period. When this is successfully completed, employment will be confirmed. Holidays: 20 days plus 8 statutory days pro rata. Part Time Work: Please note that annual leave and other entitlements are calculated on a pro-rata basis for employees working less than 37.5 hours. We take a positive view of part-time work and will consider reasonable requests for part time hours for a minimum of 16 hours per week. Sickness Policy: Creative Support operates a discretionary company sick pay benefit scheme which is for the purposes of preventing hardship during times of serious illness. The eligibility criteria and conditions for payment of Company Sick Pay (inclusive of SSP) are shown in the Employee Handbook. You may be eligible for Company Sick Pay benefits subject to compliance with these criteria as follows:- Creative Support do not pay for the first three days of any sickness absence. First six months service - Not eligible for Company Sick Pay though you may be entitled to S Six months to eighteen months service - Up to a maximum of four weeks at full pay. Eighteen months plus service - Up to a maximum of eight weeks at full pay followed by four weeks at half pay. Part time employees will receive Company Sick Pay benefits as detailed above but pro rata to actual hours worked each week. Company Sick Pay benefits may be withdrawn or temporarily suspended where performance or attendance is unsatisfactory. Pension: Creative Support operates an auto-enrolment pension scheme with the People s Pension. Life Assurance: All staff are entitled to free life assurance. This is a valuable benefit which provides a lump sum equal to four times annual salary. The policy is provided by Norwich Union. Discretionary Benefits: Creative Support offers discretionary benefits in addition to statutory benefits. These include: Paid paternity leave Enhanced maternity leave Compassionate leave Carers leave up to 5 days per annum Employee Counselling Service: All staff, their partners and members of their household have access to an independent confidential, 24 hour telephone counselling service and to legal and financial advice. In addition, up to 6 sessions of face to face counselling can be obtained. This service is delivered by professionally qualified and supervised counsellors and is provided free of charge Page 9 of 10
Hospital Saturday Fund: All employees have access to a special scheme which enables membership of the Hospital Saturday Fund on preferential rates. There are a choice of packages offering different levels of service. Membership is entirely voluntary. Page 10 of