Children's Learning Difficulties Support Worker

This role is working within a learning disability residential home, providing support to a playful, lively young person, and supporting them with their complex needs, to achieve their full potential.

The home works in line with a trauma-informed understanding. Prior experience is not essential as training and support is provided. The suitable candidate would be a compassionate, positive, creative individual who is open to a new rewarding experience or to further their professional development and work experience.

The role involves working within a brilliant team to provide child-centred care, supporting the young person to access activities in the community and to excel in all aspects of their life, such as, with their education, hobbies, relationships, and independence.

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SHIFT PATTERNS:

OPTION OF A 16 HOUR CONTRACT OR A 30 HOUR CONTRACT

Working on a two-week rolling rota

Rotas are done at least one month in advance, if not more where possible. This helps our staff to forward plan months ahead.

There is also the opportunity to be flexible with set days of working, if candidates request, we endeavour to accommodate.

We are a 'Real Living Wage Employer'.

Rate of pay begins at £11 per hour, prior to completion of the relevant Level 3 diploma.

There are often opportunities for overtime.

BENEFITS:

· Pension scheme.

· Health benefits scheme.

· Refer a Friend Bonus.

· Subside/ Expenses paid for meals (dependant on working hours)

· A full enhanced DBS will be completed and paid for initially by VCare24.

· Full holiday pay, pro rata.

· Annual Leave Loyalty Reward

· Other benefits include employee recognition and reward points

Although no experience is needed, ideally the candidate would be;

· Reliable

· Creative

· Compassionate

· Hard working

· Have good communication skills

· Work well within a team.

Job Types: Part-time, Contract, Permanent

SAFER RECRUITMENT CHECKS CAN TAKE APPROXIMATELY 6 WEEKS OVER THE CHRISTMAS PERIOD.

DIGNITY AT WORK: to show, at all times a personal commitment to looked after children, vulnerable adults and treating all young people/vulnerable adults and colleagues in a fair and respectful way, which gives positive regard to people's differences and individuality(for example, gender, gender identity, nationality or ethnic origin, disability, religion or belief, sexual orientation, age). Assists in ensuring equal access to services and employment opportunities for everyone and promotes the VCare24 Equal Opportunities Policy

PURPOSE: To assist in providing a safe and stimulating environment, ensuring high quality provision and maximizing life chances of the young people/vulnerable adults placed with VCare24 that are either in long- or short-term care within our services. In line with the relevant legislations and corporate parenting levels of responsibility

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES:

PLEASE NOTE DECISION MAKING MUST BE INCLUDED WITHIN THE PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES

To promote and safeguard the welfare of young people and or vulnerable adults

STATUTORY OBLIGATIONS- as per statutory requirements as specified in the Children's Home Regulations 2015, Quality Standards and Health and Social Care Act 2008

Must comply with and follow VCare24's policies and procedures.

Refers to line management/safeguarding officer upon any concerns, suspicions, evidence or allegations in relation to child protection in accordance with Children and vulnerable adults Safeguarding Board guidelines to ensure the safety and welfare of the children and vulnerable adults

Within the context of individual care plans and in consultation and collaboration with the management teams and safeguarding officer. To assist assessing the needs in order to provide care that is responsive to every young person's and vulnerable adults' individual requirements.

To assist in planning appropriate packages of support, implementing and reviewing effective programs for individual young people/vulnerable adults to ensure their needs for development and independence are met.

To implement restorative practices to assist in supporting young people and vulnerable adults to manage complex needs, particular vulnerabilities or learning disabilities. To be responsive to environmental factors, ensuring they are conducive to the young person's / vulnerable adults' safety and well-being in line with the principles and restorative practices.

To assist in providing an efficient and responsive service to young people and vulnerable adults for their admission and discharge from residential care, to ensure their needs are met during these transitional periods

To assist in the delivery of assessment and plans alongside management and other outside agencies to ensure the needs of the individual are met.

To assist in providing planned and/or emergency outreach and crisis response support to young people /vulnerable adults and families living within the community

To support and encourage young people and vulnerable adults to take part in individual and group activities.

Assist in supporting and encouraging young people to attend their educational provision, helping them achieve their academic potential and supporting the delivery of their Educational Health Care Plans (EHCP).

Assist young people/ vulnerable adults with a range of tasks including primary care and, where necessary carry out tasks on their behalf whilst at the same time promoting independence within individual's capability including 1:1 direct work

Assist staff on duty, in respect of individual young people/ vulnerable adults and their plans, including attending meetings and administering medication as required, to ensure their safety, wellbeing and quality of life.

To provide accurate information and assist to maintain and update, accurate data on Clientbridge (the online documenting system) with reference to case recording and all relevant information where appropriate.

Participates in budgetary tasks i.e., pocket money, purchasing of groceries, clothing stationery etc. To ensure value for money within budgeting provisions.

To work flexibly and liaise with voluntary services, statutory organisations, colleagues within VCare24 and local Authorities with the focus of providing up to date knowledge and working practices for intervention and service delivery, namely in the homes or out in the community, to young people and vulnerable adults in need and their families.

To be aware of and participate in own personal development by attending and contributing to staff meeting, supervisions sessions training courses and other departmental forums. To keep abreast of development within the profession.

The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and associated legislation places responsibilities for health and safety as your employer and you as an employee of VCare24. In addition to VCare24 overall duties, the post holder has personal responsibility for their own health and safety and that of other employees.

GENERAL:

The above principal accountabilities are not exhaustive and may vary without changing the character of the job or level of responsibility. The postholder must be flexible to ensure the operational needs of VCare24 are met. This includes the undertaking of duties similar nature and responsibility as when required, throughout the various workplaces within VCare24

DIMENSIONS

1: Responsibility for staff:

The postholder does not supervise staff. Responsible to contribute to individual and group supervision and working alongside team members.

2: Responsibility for customers /clients

Works as part of a team, assisting in ensuring a safe and secure homely environment is maintained and working directly with young people and vulnerable adults to ensure their holistic needs are met, including tasks relating to their health, leisure, emotional and behavioral development for example. The postholder will also assist in the administration and the accurate recording of this.

3: Responsibility for Budgets

Maintain accurate financial records, such as maintaining activity budgets, house financial transactions records and petty cash etc. (This list is not exhaustive). Assist Senior Team Members in providing management information to contribute to performance management reporting.

4: Responsibility for Physical Resources

Assist Senior Team Members and Managers in the delivery and monitoring of Care Plans, Individual Crisis Management Plans and Risk assessments are to be maintained and up to date including accurate data on Clientbridge with reference to case recording and all relevant information.

WORKING RELATIONSHIPS:

1: Within VCare24 Service Area/Section

Support workers will work with other members of the team including Senior Support Workers, Managers, the Safeguarding Officer, Educational Consultants and Nurses. They will also work with other relevant professionals in relation to the care plans of the young people/vulnerable adults which they care for. They will also need to be able to contribute to investigations carried out by the Safeguarding Officer or in some circumstances the HR Manager when responding to concerns raised by children/vulnerable adults and their families.

Alongside other team members liaise and work in partnership with any other agencies within VCare24 such as the Complaints Officer, Secure Transport Team and the Safeguarding Officer to co-ordinate and network in provisions and in the community in the delivery of services to young people and vulnerable adults.

2: With External Bodies to the Company

Support workers need to maintain communication with officers from the Police, Health, Emergency Services, the Local Authority Safeguarding Team, Independent Visitors and Independent Organisations including voluntary and Third Sector Organisations to fully implement the care of the young people and vulnerable adults.

PERSON SPECIFICATIONS:

Desirable:

Qualification – Level 3 in Children' and Young People's Residential Setting Pathway

Essential - Ability to work on owns initiative and as part of a team

Good Communication Skills

Good Numeracy and Literacy Skills

Have empathy, understanding and the attitude and values to meet the needs of the children/young people within VCare24 services

Commitment to own personal and professional development

Hold a full driving licence

Hold or obtain a full enhanced DBS check

Commitment to promoting the rights of a person with learning disabilities within VCare24 Ltd

Ability to advocate effectively on behalf of a person with learning disabilities within VCare24 Ltd

Ability to effectively report and record using electronic data software

Willingness to work in partnership with Children/Young People/Families and other Professionals

Able to liaise effectively with other agencies and professionals

Have flexible approach to work, location, duties and hours

All staff are required to attend a full in depth 10-day induction training regime, to give you all the tools required to fulfil the role. Including both practical and theoretical work is completed in this time.

COVID-19 considerations: COVID-19 considerations: VCare24 take all necessary precautions in line with govt guidance regarding COVID-19 restrictions, practising social distancing, effective hand sanitising/washing, taking temperature checks on arrival, PPE and work station shields

Application question(s):

· Do you have a valid driving licence?

Experience:

· Support work: 1 year (preferred)

Licence/Certification:

· NVQ Level 3 Children and Young Person's Workforce? (preferred)