Operational Support Officer - Adult Social Care

Alternative Futures Group; Knowsley; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading care service provider in Knowsley seeks an experienced practitioner to support the Team Leader. Responsibilities include promoting person-centred approaches, ensuring quality service delivery, and supervising a designated staff team. Ideal candidates possess a deep understanding of individual needs and have experience in supporting those with learning disabilities and mental health needs. NVQ3 in management or care is required, with a focus on training in person-centred practices.

Qualifications

• Experience of person-centred planning and review.
• Experience of supporting people with learning disabilities and mental health needs.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.

Responsibilities

• Support the development and review of care plans under the Team Leader.
• Assist in monitoring and reviewing individual support as directed.
• Promote person-centred approaches within the staff team.

Skills

Person-centred principles

Communication skills

Assessment and planning

Resource management

Time management

Education

NVQ3 qualification in management or care

Tools

ICT for information and reporting

Job description

Job Purpose

As an experienced practitioner, the job holder will support the Team Leader for a complex service through the provision of supervisory, advisory and administrative support to ensure that a high quality, compliant, person centred approach is maintained at all times.

Key Objectives

• To promote the principles of person‑centred approaches in all areas of operation to the staff team as directed by the Team Leader
• To provide advice, guidance and support to members of the staff team to drive best practice; compliance to policy, regulations and CQC Standards; and to encourage the appropriate use of AFG systems and processes
• To support the Team Leader with ensuring the service delivery meets the required quality standards, and to evidence quality service delivery
• To act up during the Team Leader’s annual leave and to seek any additional support/advice from the Area Manager

Dimensions

The post holder has no direct reports, however will hold supervisory responsibility for a designated staff team under the leadership of the Team Leader.

Key Result Areas

• Support the development, update and review of care plans for the attention of the Team Leader that outline the care and support individuals need
• To actively engage in the assessment, planning, monitoring and reviewing of individuals support as directed by the Team Leader
• To celebrate the success of the people we support, through the sharing of stories across the team and organisation
• To support the team in achieving butterfly moments with the people supported
• To actively participate in the transition of people into service
• To promote best practice across the staff team through the provision of advice, support and mentoring
• Support the delivery of any service/team improvement plans developed by the Team Leader – this may include embedding new processes, new systems or promoting digital engagement across the team
• To drive the importance of quality record keeping within the staff team, and providing guidance/coaching/feedback to staff to ensure that the records they make are of a high quality and in line with current policy guidelines
• Supporting the Team Leader in addressing any identified risks and putting control measures in place
• To support the Team Leader with 1:1 discussions with members of the staff team, and in monitoring the delivery of personal objectives or development plans as part of their My Performance Review
• To observe staff interactions with the people we support and to mentor staff in person centred approaches by both working alongside them and in supervisory discussions
• To complete reflective discussions from any key themes and record on employee notes
• To support the planning and administration of staff rotas within PeoplePlanner as directed by the Team Leader and in line with Policy / Procedure
• To support the induction and development of new staff to the service, including supporting colleagues through the Care Certificate and associated training
• To support the Team Leader in the management of staff absence which will include updating SelectHR, early home contacts, and non-complex return to work interviews/plans
• To report any safeguarding concerns to external agencies in the absence of the Team Leader

Essential Criteria

Experience:

• Experience of person-centred planning and review
• Experience of supporting people with learning disabilities and mental health needs
• Experience of undertaking staff supervisions/support
• Experience of using IT systems in the management of service and people

Skills & Knowledge:

• Seasoned practitioner in person-centred principles and practices
• Ability to assess, plan and monitor care and support to achieve individual outcomes
• Ability to engage with service users and their families and carers, to develop positive and trusting relationships
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
• Knowledge and understanding of the needs of people with mental health or learning disabilities and be familiar with the current views and best practice
• The ability to use person-centred tools to develop individuals and teams
• Ability to apply policy and procedure in a way that results in quality outcomes for people
• Ability to demonstrate initiative, self-motivation and resourcefulness
• Effective resource management
• Ability to use ICT for information, performance reporting and communication
• Knowledge of equality and anti-discriminatory practices
• Excellent time management and the ability to plan and prioritise a complex workload

Qualifications / Training:

NVQ3 qualification in management or care (or equivalent) or a willingness and ability to complete such a qualification within a set time period; training in person-centred practices (planning, review, team development)