Support Worker - #WorkWithDan

NHS; Wokingham; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

A supportive care agency in Wokingham seeks Support Workers to assist individuals with physical disabilities in their daily activities. The role involves personal care, meal preparation, and aiding social interactions, emphasizing a positive and compassionate approach. Candidates should have a willingness to train and ideally hold a UK driving license. Opportunities for professional development and stable employment are provided.

Benefits

Stable employment

Full training provided

Qualifications

• Experience of working with people with physical disabilities.
• Experience of working in a residential care setting.

Responsibilities

• Support with cooking, cleaning, and shopping.
• Assist with personal care tasks.
• Support Dan in social activities, including appointments and outings.

Skills

Patient and a good listener

Respectful of privacy and personal space

Able to anticipate needs

Positive, kind, and committed

Loves the use of technology

Education

Willingness to undertake Care Certificate

Tools

Full UK Driving Licence

Job description

Optalis is the Adult Social Care delivery partner on behalf of Wokingham Borough Council and the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead Council. Optalis is owned and funded by the two councils - it is not a private provider or an employment agency, and we do not offer sponsorship.

Full- and Part-Time - Days and Nights available

We're recruiting a team of remarkable people to support Dan - this is what Dan is looking for, in his own words;

Hi, I'm Dan a sociable and outgoing young man living independently in my own flat near Wokingham town centre. I have physical disabilities and enjoy being active in the community, pursuing hobbies and maintaining a varied social life. I'm looking for a team of Support Workers who can help me live the life I want to lead. I like to make a difference and don't see why having a disability means I should not live the life I want to.

I require 24-hour care and I need people who can work during the day (8am-3pm / 3pm-10pm) and/or at night (9pm-9am), including alternate weekends.

What I'm looking for in my support workers:

• Patient and a good listener
• Respectful of my privacy and personal space
• Able to anticipate my needs while encouraging my independence
• Willing to learn about my specific needs and condition
• Positive, kind, and committed
• Likes travelling and sports and will be able to assist me to carry on with these activities.
• Loves the use of technology as I use a lot to move and communicate.
• Someone who helps me say "how can we?" not "we can't."

Main duties of the job

As a Support Worker, your role will be to support me in my day-to-day life with things like cooking, cleaning and shopping. I will need support with personal care (dressing, showering, personal tasks) and socialising, including appointments, events and outings.

It would be great if you have a valid UK driving licence so that you can drive my vehicle but if you are confident and willing, I'm able to travel by public transport.

General responsibilities include, but are not limited to;

• Provide care and support to customers in accordance to care plans
• Ensuring the safety and wellbeing of our customers
• Assisting with personal care (washing, dressing, toileting)
• Assist with meal preparation
• Support customers to access the community - appointments, shopping and socialising
• Reporting changes in health and behaviour
• Communicate with residents, families, colleagues and social care professionals

Experience in the care sector would be beneficial but is not necessary as we provide full training. This includes classroom-based learning for practical skills, online sessions for theory and awareness, and shadowing experienced staff to learn how we do things.

About us

Optalis is a LATCo (Local Authority Trading Company) jointly owned by Wokingham Borough Council and the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead.

Optalis delivers adult social care on behalf of the two local authorities. We have over 50 services across the WBC and RBWM boroughs, supporting adults with learning disabilities to live independently, providing dementia and nursing care for older people and offering reablement services to help people return home from hospital.

We provide stable employment and opportunities to develop yourself and advance your career.

Optalis is not an agency; unless specified, our roles are permanent with guaranteed hours.

Job responsibilities

To contribute to the overall running of the service, supporting the seniors and management to ensure CQC compliance.

To provide support that is safe, person centred and respects all human rights of the people living within the Independent Living Homes.

This role involves supporting the people living within the Community Living Services with all aspects of their daily routines to ensure that they are able to live the lives they want to.

You will collaborate with customers, families, carers and other professionals to provide a consistent and coordinated service which maximises outcomes for the people living in the Community Living Services .

You will have a responsibility to document all work undertaken and contribute to customer reviews.

• Supporting Dan with all aspects of his care needs.
• Social support supporting Dan at appointments, outings or events.
• Being a teammate supporting Dan to stay active, connected and doing things for himself.
• Providing support to access the community and activities preferably with Dans car.
• Develop a warm, trusting relationship with Dan to encourage him to express his needs, viewsand concerns.
• Respect Dan's rights to privacy and ensure that his dignity is maintained at all times.
• Be flexible and responsive to Dan's needs following his support plans.
• Support Dan to retain practical and social skills and his independence.
• Provide sensitive and dignified personal care in line with Dan's preferences.
• Assist with any domestic tasks such as cooking, cleaning and shopping.
• Liaise with other healthcare professionals to support Dan to maintain his physical and mental wellbeing.
• Inform line manager and involve professionals of concerns or changes in Dans needs andcircumstances. Report any concerns regarding safeguarding with immediate effect to linemanager/registered manager.
• Support Dan in complying with administering prescribed medication in with company policiesand procedures.
• Ensure accurate records are maintained.

Person Specification

Experience

• Experience of working with people with physical disabilities
• Experience of working in a residential care setting

Qualifications

• Willingness to undertake Care Certificate
• Full UK Driving Licence and own vehicle

Entitlement To Work

• Must hold entitlement to work - either as a British national or a valid work visa with at least 6 months remaining. We are not offering sponsorship with this role.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.