Senior Support Worker

JOB DETAILS

Job Title

Senior Support Worker

Salary

£23,720 per annum

Hours

Between 21-35 per week

Set shift pattern available:

Monday to Friday 

Friday, Saturday, Sunday

Saturday, Sunday, Monday

Place Of Work

Across East London and Noth-East London Hospitals

Contract

Fixed term- 3 months with a possible extension

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job purpose

We are looking for senior support workers to join our existing team and help us meet the additional need for our services during the winter months. The contracts are for an initial three month period, but may well be extended.

The purpose of the support worker role is to enable older people to remain living independently in their homes. You will provide practical and emotional support to customers within their home and make sure they understand the care and treatment choices available to them. Additionally, the senior support worker will support a team of home support workers and volunteers working across East London. You will carry out new customer assessments and reviews within the customer’s home and within the hospital prior to discharge, you will carry out home support workers spot -checks  and keep our customer relations management system (Charity Log) updated.

Key tasks

·       To assess the needs of customers in their homes, and in hospital before discharge to understand what barriers and enablers there might be to moving home.

·       To provide (and/or arrange) the practical and emotional support needed to enable the customer to move home and/or remain safely at home.

·       To notice whether the customer has additional needs that our wider team, or partners can support with, and refer/signpost as needed. For example for benefit checks, energy advice, carers support. 

·       To help maximise customer independence by adopting an enabling approach.

·       To develop a listening and caring relationship with the customer and their families/carers.

·       To provide personal domiciliary support as prescribed in the customers individual support plan, if required.

·       To provide domestic practical support within the home e.g., light cleaning, washing, ironing (customers clothing only) etc, if required.

·       To prepare and service drinks and simple meals with or for the customer ensuring that the customer’s nutritional needs are met in accordance with individual support plan. if required.

·       To accompany customer outside the home e.g., hospital/GP appointments etc, if required.

·       To support customer with other tasks e.g. making telephone calls on their behalf, reading and responding to correspondence, completing simple forms (training will be provided) as directed by the customer etc.

·       To ensure that the services provided by AUKEL in the community are safe and person centred.

·       To provide cover in the case of sickness and annual leave periods of colleagues.

·       To ensure that home support workers working in the community are delivering services in accordance to the Care Quality Commission Fundamental Standards through regular spots checks.

·       Carry out new customer assessment and reviews and ensure they are uploaded on to AUKEL’s organisational customer relations management system (Charity Log).

·       Meet with volunteers to provide support and guidance.

·       To work with a range of professionals including:

-        Supporting health and social care professionals with patient discharge

-        Liaising with the Hospital health and social care professionals to facilitate smooth supported discharge.

-        Referring to other local services.

Administration

·       To carry out spot checks and report any concerns to your direct line manager

·       To ensure that Customer User Comment Sheets are completed and checked for any concerns before passing over to the Head of Home & Care each month.

·       To comprehensively complete Customer Comment Sheets in respect of your own customer allocation.

·       To upload customer records on to AUKEL Charity Log.

·       To carry out first stage investigation in relation to any complaints received in respect of support workers and/or home helps.

Quality

·       To ensure that services provided in the community are delivered in accordance with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) fundamental standards and guidelines.

·       To deliver all work in line with AUKEL Quality Mark standards.

·       To commit to undertaking the Care Certificate, if not already held or in possession of NVQ level 2.

·       To complete essential training as required by AUKEL to provide safe services.

Liaison

·       To work in collaboration with other agencies providing support within the customer's home.

·       To work under the direction of the service co-ordinators.

·       To represent AUKEL and participate in appropriate external meetings and events to remain aware of local, regional, and national issues affecting quality and compliance issues affecting care and home support services.

General

·     To meet regularly with your assigned line manager for support, supervision, and appraisal.

·     To attend team and all staff meetings, (and other meetings) as required.

·     To undertake any other duties within the competence of the post holder as may be required from time to time for the continued smooth running of AUKEL.

·     To complete any training which is required to fulfil the role.

·     To carry out the duties of the post in accordance with AUKEL policies and procedures including Equal Opportunities, Mental Capacity, Deprivation of Liberty, Food Hygiene, Health & Safety, Confidentiality, Complaints, GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation), Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults etc.

Functional Links

·     The post holder report to the Project Coordinator.

·     Close working with NHS health & social care professionals.

·     Close working with external partner agencies e.g. Age UK Redbridge, Barking & Havering, and Age UK Waltham Forest.

·     Close working with AUKEL internal departments e.g. information and advice, advocacy, Take Home & Settle services, and volunteering department etc.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

·       Experience of one-to-one work with vulnerable customers including those with multiple issues and needs either through paid or unpaid position.

Desirable

·       Care Certificate or CQF Diploma NVQ Level 2, or equivalent, in Health & Social Care.

·       Experience of working collaboratively with external partners.

Skills/Attributes

Essential

·       Excellent interpersonal skills

·       Good English verbal and written communication skills

·       Good planning and organisational skills.

·       Ability to work independently and as part of a team

·        Ability to prioritise and manage time and resources in a competent manner

·        Basic IT skills, including the ability to use mobile phone applications

·        Can demonstrate AUKEL values (accountable , kind, flexible, inclusive, collaborative) in the way the service is delivered.

Desirable

·       Ability to speak community languages e.g. Bengali, Urdu, Punjabi, Turkish etc.

·       Good IT skills using word, excel or willingness to learn – training will be provided

·       Ability to drive with use of own vehicle (mileage and essential car users will be paid).

Knowledge & Understanding

Essential

·       Understanding and commitment to empowering individuals to reach their full potential.

·       Understanding the principles of confidentiality in practice.

·       Understanding of safeguarding and when to raise a concern.

·       Understanding of the impact of discrimination and disadvantage on the lives of people.

Desirable

·       Understanding of Care Quality Commission fundamental standards

·       Knowledge of local services available to adults and their carers

·       Understanding of hospital discharge procedures.

Additional Requirements

·      This post is subject to the relevant check through the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS).

·      Ability to travel across east London and south Essex.

·      Flexibility in working hours to meet organisational needs.