Support Assistant

Job Title:  Support Assistant
Contract Type: Permanent
Salary: £25,673.65 per annum
Working Hours: 37.5 Hours per week
Working Pattern: 6 week rolling rota, working early and late shifts, this may include Weekends and Bank Holidays
Location: Powerhouse, Liverpool

If you share our values and are excited about making a significant impact at Riverside, please ensure you attach a current CV and covering letter. At Riverside we recruit to potential not just on skills and experience, so we encourage you to apply even if you don't meet all the essential criteria on the job description.

Please note that whilst we will accept applications on the basis of any form of valid legal permission to work in the UK, we will be surrendering the Riverside Sponsorship licence, so for the avoidance of doubt, we are unable to apply for any further sponsorships whether on behalf of existing colleagues or candidates.

The difference you will make as a Support Assistant (Care)
You will empower our customers to live independent, fulfilling and dignified lives in our Independent Living services, by accommodating adults who require support with their Mental Health and those with Learning Disabilities.

About you
We are looking for someone with:

•    Experience of working in a team, able to communicate positively with other people

•    Experience of supporting vulnerable and diverse groups of customers to live independently including personal care

•    Team player with a caring, empathetic and flexible attitude

•    Awareness of CQC standards

•    Basic IT and admin skills

•    Flexibility to work hours to meet customer and business needs, which may include working outside of normal office hours and lone working

Why Riverside?
At Riverside, we're a housing association with a difference – enhancing the everyday for all our customers. For 90 years, we've been revitalising neighbourhoods and supporting communities by providing the homes they need to live full, fulfilling and rewarding lives. 
We have a portfolio of over 75,000 affordable residential and retirement homes across the UK. Our work ranges from homelessness services to social care, employment support to retirement living, and we need the best people on board to help us.
Working with us, you'll enjoy:

•    Competitive pay & generous pension 

•    28 days holidays plus bank holidays 

•    Flexible working options available

•    Investment in your learning, personal development and technology

•    A wide range of benefits

Diversity and Inclusion at Riverside: 
We are inclusive. At Riverside, we value diversity in all its forms. We foster a workplace where all individuals are respected, empowered, and heard. Our commitment to inclusivity drives our success and enriches the lives of our customers and colleagues. 
Riverside is a Disability Confident Employer and operates a Guaranteed Interview Scheme for any applicant who declares they have a disability. If the applicant meets the minimum requirements for the role (as set out in the role profile and/or person specification) they will be guaranteed an interview.

Applications may close before the deadline, so please apply early to be considered

Role Profile

•   Work collaboratively as part of a committed team to carry out a diverse range of tasks, delivering an outstanding experience to customers whilst being supported by your colleagues and Line Manager.

•    Recognise and identify each individual customer's needs to ensure they receive a person-centered approach that puts the customer at the heart of everything we do by:
o    Enabling customers to meet the aspirations within their individual support plans, whilst keeping up-to-date information on their changing needs.
o    Providing personal care and support to customers in line with Care Quality Commission (CQC) definitions, including helping customers to maintain their personal hygiene, appearance and physical wellbeing.
o    Helping customers with daily activities, domestic support and assisting with preparation of meals, snacks and drinks whilst ensuring they maintain as much independence as possible.
o    Safely helping with customer's mobility including use of assessed equipment, aids or other manual handling equipment.
o    Supporting customers with administering medication.

•    Inspire and motivate customers to develop life skills, independence and emotional well-being by:
o    Recognising and engaging customers in activities that they show passion or interest in 
o    Supporting customers to attend community and social activities 
o    Supporting customers to participate in educational activities.
o    Working with customers to seek employment or volunteering opportunities for their personal development.
o    Encouraging and enabling customers to communicate and interact with other people to build and develop relationships. 
o    Supporting and monitoring customers' emotional wellbeing and healthcare needs ensuring appropriate contact and support with healthcare professionals.

•    Helping customers with the management of their personal affairs when this is part of their individual support plan e.g. reading letters, managing utilities, handling small amounts of money for shopping.

•    Communicate clearly, building trusted relationships with customers and their wider support network (family, friends, GPs, Social Worker, etc.).

•    Provide companionship to customers, engaging in conversation to build genuine and trusted relationships.

•    Take pride and initiative in working with customers to meet their needs, creating a safe, comfortable and respectful living environment.

•    Maintain detailed, accurate records of care and medication support provided, as well as tasks undertaken.

•    Promptly respond to and report any concerns relating to the care, support, well-being or behavior of customers to a manager, making comprehensive records, ensuring customer confidentiality is observed at all times.

•    Recognising any signs of abuse and immediately reporting them to a manager, ensuring local safeguarding procedures are followed.

•    Record all complaints and proactively talk through the complaints procedure with customers.
Other Information

•    You will be required to work flexible hours to meet customer and business needs, which may not include normal office hours.

•    Ensure customers are safe at all times - carrying out all of your duties within Riverside's Policy and Procedure framework e.g. health & safety, safeguarding, dignity at work, GDPR opportunities, cash handling, etc.

•    Deliver your role in line with Riverside company values – "Our Riverside Way".

•    Participate in team meetings, attend regular supervisions and reflective practice sessions.

•    Undertake regular training and take responsibility for continuous development to enable you to deliver your role safely.

•    From time to time you may be required to undertake additional duties and responsibilities in consultation with your Line Manager.

Person specification
Essential

•    Experience of working in a team and communicating positively with other people. 

•    Experience of being able to organise tasks whilst supporting people and plan accordingly 

•    Be a team player with a caring, empathetic, flexible attitude and demonstrate a resilient, can-do attitude.

•    Able to use initiative and have confidence to make and act on decisions.

•    Basic administrative & IT skills.

Desirable

•    Awareness of CQC standards.

•    Experience of providing direct care to a vulnerable and diverse group of customers.