ACCORD GROUP Senior Personal Assistant Job description Responsible to: Direct Reports: Numbers of Staff: Internal Key Contacts: Hours: Location: Service Coordinator Personal Assistants Appointed in response to growth in delivery District Manager / Locality Manager As specified, including shift working, weekends, unsociable hours, and bank holidays. Hours may also include waking nights and sleep-ins. To work flexibly from a base, across the locality and district, and in the community (when required) Statement of Service Purpose To manage a team of Personal Assistants to deliver care and support to service users across a range of delivery models, including domiciliary and residential settings. To support adults, continue to lead active, independent and fulfilled lives whilst living in their own accommodation either within Accord services or the wider community. To support the Service Coordinator and District Manager to ensure that the service adheres to CQC and Accord Group policies and procedures, and is performing successfully to achieve the Service Plan s activity and budgetary targets. Key Responsibilities Work as part of a team and support the Service Coordinator to deliver care and support service outcomes, including acting as a key worker, developing and managing care and support plans, actively engaging with service users to promote independence and choice, supporting service users in making decisions about their life. Work flexibly providing care and support to service users in aspects of their daily living. Act as the service users champion in a nominated area of responsibility. Reviewed as final version on 27 November 2013 1
Promote Independence To undertake assessment and care planning of service users. Provide support to service users in all aspects of daily living including housing related support, delivering personal care, meal preparation, dressing, medication administration, etc, as detailed in care and support plans. Service user participation Promote service user empowerment; support service users to help them express their views and make informed choices and decisions in respect of care and support plans, complaints, concerns and compliments, how services are delivered and managed, the maintenance and repair of the buildings and equipment, activities at home and community engagement, and the appointment of staff. Working in a team and with others Contribute positively to working in a team, participating in service delivery reviews and service user meetings Work with colleagues to lead and, when requested, directly deliver in activities and services for service users, as well as sharing in the domestic tasks that support the overall running of the service for example, shopping, preparing meals, maintaining environmental hygiene, and undertaking cleaning. Working with the Team Have direct responsibility for managing a team of Personal Assistants. Work with the Service Co-ordinator and District Manager to ensure that there is an appraisal, development plan and supervision for Personal Assistants. Deal with any specific issues that arise from situations on that shift, either at a scheme or with staff working off site, and ensure effective staff cover on that, and subsequent shifts. Taking appropriate action on any potential complaints, safeguarding issues, accidents and incidents. Liaising with others To ensure that tenants well being is monitored and any concerns raised with the appropriate person. Liaise with the Facilities Manager in relation to Accord premises repair and maintenance. Ensuring that tasks required to support this are allocated and monitored on their behalf. Work positively with Accord colleagues, participating in Accord Group wide events and training. Reviewed as final version on 27 November 2013 2
Liaise and work with other agencies, health and social care professionals, families and carers, working together positively to meet the needs of service users. To communicate positively and effectively with other team members, and act in a professional manner while on duty and when representing Accord. Compliance Requirements Comply with the requirements of Statutory Regulation, Policy and guidance at all times in relation to; Quality and compliance Safeguarding - Health and Safety - Financial records - Service records - Risk assessments - Medication administration Other Personal Responsibilities Ensure your conduct at all times is in line with the General Social Care Council code of conduct. This includes maintaining professional boundaries and effective timekeeping. To actively participate in training and development opportunities appropriate to the post, including induction, staff meetings, supervision, appraisal and any other service related events. Undertake any other duties commensurate with the role, required in conjunction with the post and delivery of the service. Reviewed as final version on 27 November 2013 3
ACCORD GROUP Senior Personal Assistant Person Specification Essential Desirable Experience Ability to meet the requirements of the job description with minimal supervision at times Proven ability to work on own initiative and work as part of a team. Knowledge and understanding of issues relating to care and support. Knowledge Basic understanding of how rights, dignity, privacy, respect, & choice are important when providing care. Knowledge/awareness of the service user groups. Knowledge of health & safety as it relates to creating a safe and homely environment. This includes and is not limited to medication and fire regulations. A knowledge fairness and diversity and how it relates to this role. Awareness and understanding of confidentiality including data protection. Understanding of personalised/person centred care. Reviewed as final version on 27 November 2013 4
Abilities Able to demonstrate good verbal and non-verbal communication skills. Understanding of the need to use different forms of communication to support service users with limited or no spoken language or who are deaf or hearing impaired or have learning disability or dementia. The ability to speak one community language Able to read and record information accurately, objectively & legibly in English. Ability to provide relevant and appropriate feedback. Awareness and understanding of confidentiality including data protection. Skills Able to demonstrate good verbal and non-verbal communication skills. Understanding of the need to use different forms of communication to support service users with limited or no spoken language or who are deaf or hearing impaired or have learning disability or dementia. Moving & handling. Basic Food Hygiene Health and safety Administration of medication Safeguarding Reviewed as final version on 27 November 2013 5
Qualifications NVQ Level 2 in Social Care or willingness to work toward qualification. Basic level of education. Other relevant qualifications in Health & Social Care and a willingness to undertake training. Other relevant qualifications in Health & Social Care and a willingness to undertake training Ability to use Microsoft Office. Personal Qualities A commitment to a service, which provides support to vulnerable individuals which is respectful and according to the individual s wishes. Commitment to training and development. Ability and willingness to undertake personal care. Problem solving skills. Other Able to work flexibly including early mornings, evenings, weekends, nights, bank holidays, as part of a rolling rota. Ability to travel across the district and locality to deliver care. To be able to do sleep-ins if required (depending on the service). Reviewed as final version on 27 November 2013 6