Positive Behaviour Support Assistant

Sirona-Care-; West of England; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Sirona care & health in Bristol, North Somerset or South Gloucestershire is seeking a Positive Behaviour Support Assistant to work with adults with learning disabilities. You will join a multidisciplinary team to develop and implement PBS plans, deliver training to families and carers, and support service users toward greater independence.

The role emphasizes empathy, low arousal communication, and working within NHS Agenda for Change benefits, including annual leave and the NHS Pension Scheme.

Qualifications

• Experience of working with people with learning disabilities who may display behaviour that challenges.
• Experience of direct client care in health or social care settings.
• Experience of team working and multi‑professional collaboration.
• Understanding of the Positive Behaviour Support Approach.

Responsibilities

• Work as part of the multidisciplinary team towards a person centred approach to assessment, formulation, implementation and evaluation of behaviour plans.
• Undertake behavioural observations in a variety of environments to contribute to functional assessment.
• Implement identified strategies within a PBS Plan and provide support to service users and their support network in the implementation of the plan.
• Support the service user to access mainstream services and provide guidance around reasonable adjustments.
• Demonstrate empathy and understanding within all areas of communication.
• Utilise de‑escalation and low arousal communication in challenging situations.
• Ensure information is meaningful and accessible to people with learning disabilities.
• Highlight and report poor practice as appropriate.

Skills

PBS Approach

Learning Disability

Direct Client Care

Team Working

Communication Skills

Makaton / Talking Mats

Education

NVQ Level 3

Equality & Diversity Awareness

UK Driving Licence

Tools

Talking Mats

Makaton

Job description

Job overview

We have an exciting opportunity for a Positive Behaviour Support Assistant to take the next step in their career with our Adult Learning Disability Health (ALDH) Service – a recognised centre of excellence for specialist learning disability health care.

Working within a specialist multidisciplinary team, you’ll use Positive Behaviour Support to help adults with learning disabilities and behaviours that may challenge achieve better outcomes, greater independence and an improved quality of life.

You’ll work closely with individuals, families, carers and partner organisations across three localities to develop and implement PBS plans, provide practical guidance and coaching, and support people to access mainstream health and community services through inclusive, person-centred practice.

This varied and rewarding role also includes delivering training to families, paid carers and professionals, helping them build the confidence and skills to provide effective support. Using empathy, excellent communication and low arousal approaches, you’ll develop trusted relationships and respond confidently in complex situations.

If you’re passionate about improving the lives of people with learning disabilities and making a meaningful difference every day, we’d love to hear from you.

Main duties of the job

• To work as part of the multidisciplinary team towards a person centred approach to assessment, formulation, implementation and evaluation of behaviour plans with an aim of proactive intervention to support the service user and their care givers.
• To undertake behavioural observations in a variety of environments to contribute to functional assessment
• To implement identified strategies within a PBS Plan and provide support to service users and their support network in the implementation of the plan.
• To support the service user to access mainstream services where able and to provide support and guidance around reasonable adjustments to mainstream services.
• To demonstrate empathy and understanding within all areas of communication.
• To utilise effective de‑escalation and low arousal communication strategies in challenging and potentially aggressive situations.
• To ensure information is meaningful and accessible to people with learning disabilities.
• To highlight, challenge and report poor practice as appropriate

Working for our organisation

Ever dreamt about a career that sparks excitement and fosters your professional growth? Picture yourself waking up eager to make a real difference in our community, surrounded by teams who value your unique ideas.

We are Sirona care & health – England’s largest provider of Adult’s and Children’s Community Services and we’d love for you to join us in Bristol, North Somerset or South Gloucestershire.

Agenda for Change Salary, full NHS benefits, 27+ days’ annual leave, and participation in the NHS Pension Scheme – just a glimpse of the benefits you’ll receive.

We welcome and encourage all applicants. We are committed to having a workforce that reflects the communities we support and are proactively seeking to improve the diversity of our workforce. We know diversity fosters creativity and innovation.

We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where all belong. We aim to draw upon the widest possible range of views and experiences to meet the changing needs of our colleagues, partners and communities we serve.

Whether you’re starting your journey in healthcare, looking for a fresh challenge within the NHS, or contemplating a career change, don’t be daunted by the prospect of something different – we create development opportunities for all our colleagues and apprentices.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please see the job description and person specification attached for further information on the role.

If you currently require a visa to work in the UK, there must be a minimum of 14 months remaining until the expiry date. If you do not disclose your expiry date within your application, it may not be considered. Please only provide the expiry date and not your share code within your application.

If you refer to qualifications or employment within your supporting statement, that has not been included in your Qualifications, Training or Employment History, this information may be discounted.

Please use your 'Supporting Information' to demonstrate and provide evidence in how you meet the Person Specification below.

Skills, Experience and Knowledge

• Experience of working with people with a learning disability who may display behaviour that challenges
• Experience of direct client care in a health or social care setting.
• Experience of team working, including multi‑professional working
• Experience of maintaining appropriate patient records and associated administration
• Understanding of the Positive Behaviour Support Approach
• Confidence to contact patients by phone and handle frequent telephone calls
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills (written, verbal and non‑verbal) including supporting self‑management advice, coaching service users and carers where there may be communication barriers
• Participate in supervision within the team and assist with peer support to other staff as appropriate
• Participate in supervision within the team and assist with peer support to other staff as appropriate
• Demonstrate awareness of the limits of own practice and knowledge and seek support appropriately
• Organised and able to prioritise to ensure management of multiple tasks on a daily basis
• Able to work autonomously, including managing own caseload with support from senior clinicians
• Good IT skills with the ability to use computer software packages.
• Experience of dealing with complex and difficult emotional situations.
• Experience of using communication aids such as Talking Mats or Makaton
• Experience of working within a positive behaviour support approach
• Experience of working with people with a learning disability and mental health needs

Qualifications and Training Required

• Successful completion of NVQ level 3 qualification alongside any of the following: Successful completion of relevant Foundation Degree modules; Diploma in Clinical Health Care; NVQ or Higher Apprenticeship level 4, or equivalent experience.
• An understanding of the issues of equality and diversity.
• Hold a driving license valid in the UK and be able to access reliable transport for the purposes of the post with the ability to travel across Bristol

Employer certification / accreditation badges

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Name Rebecca Durston Job title Clinical Lead Positive Behaviour Support Email address [e-mail]