Female Support Worker

Westcountry Case Management - Maximising potential for over 20 years!

Please note as we do not hold a valid company sponsorship licence, we cannot consider applications from candidates requiring a Certificate of Sponsorship.

We have a great opportunity for a Female Support Worker* to work with a young lady with cerebral palsy in her own home in the Tredegar area of South Wales. The role is to provide practical support and ensure safety with everyday activities in the community such as shopping, attending appointments.

You will also facilitate the client's independence by adopting the appropriate approach as advised by the case manager and therapists and in consultation with the client.

We require a support worker who will provide a positive influence and a strong desire to have a positive effect on the client, and a commitment to supporting and promoting her individual needs, skills, abilities and personal goals.

Purpose
To work as part of a team providing support and care for the client ensuring safety and physical wellbeing. To facilitate the client's independence by adopting the appropriate approach as advised by the case manager.

About the Client
The client is a 21 year old female with a physical and learning disability / cerebral palsy. She lives with her Father in an adapted property in Tredegar.
She has just finished college and enjoys being at home. She enjoys socialising, playing with her toys, accessing the hydrotherapy pool and watching films. The client has a friendly and cooperative personality but can be assertive on occasions when she does not wish to do something. She uses facial expression, vocalisation and augmentative and alternative communication strategies such as eye gaze. The client has a 10 second delay when communicating and needs time to process.

NVQ Level 2 in care or equivalent or previous experience in care is essential.

A full driving licence is desirable

What you will be working:

16 hours per week.

To be able to work flexibly within a rota which will be agile across a month. Regular hours may occur due the nature of shift patterns however, no set days are to be relied upon.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES / KEY DUTIES

• To ensure consistency of approach with the client in accordance with advised approaches to care and any emerging therapy aims.
• To liaise with and support the family as required.
• To work as part of a team and communicate appropriately with fellow team members.
• To follow the service user plan as documented for the client.
• To participate in manual handling procedures as specified for the client.
• To ensure opportunity is given to participate in activities as identified by client / others while achieving a balance between work and rest for the client.
• To deliver programmes of educational, social and therapeutic development as directed by the relevant professionals and the client's mother.
• To assist the client to ensure an adequate level of hygiene is maintained.
• To be aware of any significant changes in the client's health, functioning or behaviour, and inform the client's family, case manager and team leader as appropriate.
• To encourage the client's independence as far as possible.
• To be aware of the client's vulnerability and take precautions to protect it.
• To be aware of the client's mobility, visual and cognitive problems and endeavour to cater for these at all times.
• To respect confidentiality at all times.
• To be aware of the client's limitations and strengths.
• Within reason, to adapt support according to changing needs, as directed.
• To provide the opportunity for the client to follow therapeutic guidelines.
• To be trained in all relevant skills to undertake role, as identified by the case manager in liaison with other professionals involved in delivery of support for client.
• To adhere to guidelines when taking the client out in a vehicle.
• To be answerable to the client in the first instance and clinically supervised by the case manager.

QUALIFICATIONS / EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

At the minimum, applicants will be expected to have some experience of caring for people with physical or learning disabilities.
You must be registered with or working towards registration with Social Care Wales.

Recent training in the following areas would be an advantage:

• Equality and diversity
• Health and safety at work
• Control of substances hazardous to health
• Fire safety awareness
• Infection control
• Food hygiene
• Manual handling
• First aid / basic life support including CPR
• Safeguarding vulnerable adults
• Safeguarding vulnerable children
• Conflict management
• Lone working

You will be expected to use information technology such as email, intranet, electronic records etc. Training and support will be provided as necessary and you are expected to maintain your IT skills in order for you to carry out your duties.
A patient, warm, caring, reliable and trustworthy person is needed who can work as part of a team.
Full training, supervision and support will be provided as required.

PERSON SPECIFICATION Qualifications, Experience, Knowledge & Skills
Qualifications (essential):

• You must hold a recognised Health and Social Care qualification ( Level 2 or above or equivalent) OR be willing to work towards achieving this qualification.

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities (essential):

• Some experience of caring or providing care for clients with physical and communication difficulties.
• Good understanding of the personal and physical needs of a client with physical and cognitive difficulties.
• Ability to follow instructions / guidance.

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities (desirable):

• Experience of learning / cognitive / behavioural support.
• Competent IT skills.

Personal requirements (essential):

• Ability to learn and interested in learning new skills.
• Flexibility.
• Reliability.
• Able to use own initiative.
• Confidentiality discreet.
• Excellent communication skills both oral and written.
• Ability to build up rapport with client, family and others.
• Ability to work as part of a team and within boundaries.
• Be able to follow verbal and written instructions.
• Ability to maintain accurate and confidential records.
• To be able to maintain a consistent approach.
• Able to take and give constructive criticism.
• Consideration of others and of the family.
• Non-judgmental.
• You must uphold the codes of conduct and professional practice in your work.
• You must relate to the principles and values of the Social Services and Wellbeing (Wales) Act 2014.

Personal requirements (desirable):

• Applicants should have a full driving licence and access to their own vehicle as you will be required to drive the client's vehicle OR transport the client.

Interviews may be held via Zoom/Skype/other such teleconferencing tools, therefore candidates MUST HAVE the ability to attend interview via these methods.

Please note we reserve the right to interview and appoint earlier than the stated closing date, should there be a good response to the advert.

Westcountry Case Management Ltd

01626 770729

We are a CQC Outstanding rated healthcare business who help our clients recruit their own support workers. You will be employed directly by the client; however, Westcountry Case Management oversee all aspects of the clients care package on her behalf.

Westcountry Case Management is committed to safeguarding and protecting all children, young people and vulnerable adults we work with by implementing a robust safeguarding policy including safer recruitment practices and expects all staff to share this commitment.

As we do not hold a valid company sponsorship licence, we cannot consider applications from non-UK nationals

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Westcountry Case Management are a friendly, forward-thinking company who help our clients recruit their own support workers. You will be employed directly by the client; however, Westcountry Case Management oversee all aspects of the clients care package on his behalf.

Westcountry Case Management is committed to safeguarding and protecting all children, young people, and vulnerable adults we work with by implementing a robust safeguarding policy including safer recruitment practices and expects all staff to share this commitment.