Support Worker

Being a Support Worker at AFG is a hugely rewarding role and could be your first step on a long and happy career in Health & Social Care.

**So, what does a Support Worker do?**

We have a vision to create _a world where people control their lives. _Here at AFG, we pride ourselves on helping the people we support to design, develop and ‘own’ the support they receive by planning this with them; we support people to make informed choices and increase their own independence; and we support people to maintain their own health, wellbeing and living environment. These principles are really important to us.

Our Support Workers work in a variety of settings including community-based services (often supporting people in their own homes) to our Treatment & Recovery Centres.

One thing that is common across all of our services is a focus on personalised support and tailoring our services to the needs and aspirations of the people we support with a diverse range of care needs (including Learning Disabilities, Physical Disabilities, Mental Health Concerns, Complex Care, Substance Misuse issues to name a few).

**We value the people that work with us**

At AFG we recognise the contribution and value that our staff make. We would not be able to provide the life changing support that we do without people like you In return for your contribution we will support you throughout your career and we provide a wide range of employee benefits, career development (including opportunities to undertake vocational qualifications) and lifestyle support services to ensure that you too feel supported, fulfilled and valued from day one of your employment with us.

**About you**

There are a few things that we look for in all of our support workers; we would need you to
- be a good communicator (verbally and in writing)
- be patient, confident and enthusiastic about caring for others
- be able to use your own initiative
- be able to work as part of a team
- have flexibility to work a varied shift pattern to provide 24-hour support
- share our AFG values

We don’t ask for any other relevant training or a previous career in care as full training will be provided - you just need a willingness to learn and develop.

Your pay_ - _our Support Workers receive a rate of £11.00 per hour for all worked hours. Once you are successful for a role with us, full details of your pay will be included in your written offer.

As a ‘values based’ employer, the people that work for us genuinely care about the people they support, and we are seeking likeminded people to join our AFG family. If you are passionate about caring for others and have a real desire to make a positive difference to the lives of the people we support then we would love to hear from you.

**More about this vacancy...**

We asked the Team Leader to tell us more about this role and the amazing person that we need to work here.

**_Where is this vacancy based?_**

This vacancy is based in Lancaster, just on the outskirts of town a few minutes up from Williamson Park.

**_Who do you support?_**

We support one lady and one gentleman. They both have a learning disability. The lady also has mental health support needs, and the gentleman has autism. They are both active people, who need support with personal care, communication, attending activities, eating and drinking safely, and ensuring they live in a well cared for home. They can both move easily around the home and at activities, but it is essential that staff are able to drive as they both use motorbility vehicles, and like to get out and about most days.

**_Where do they live?_**

The property is a three bedroomed detached house with a garden, surrounded by farmland on a hill overlooking Lancaster.

**_ What would a typical shift be like?_**

At the very start of the day we have two staff on duty, with a third joining you later in the morning. The lady requires full support with her personal care, which can require more than one staff to support. Once she is ready, we then support the gentleman with his personal care, which needs to be fully supported but he can be encouraged to do some tasks himself with guidance. They then take turns to be supported to have breakfast.

Although they both occasionally spend days relaxing at home, they are both active people who usually like to be out and about. They both need support to eat and drink safely throughout the day. After teatime, the third staff ends their shift, but two staff stay on and sleep over.

**_What activities do the people that we support at this property like to do?_**

The people we support enjoy car rides and going to a sensory centre in Preston. They enjoy short walks, swimming, bowling, cycling, meals out, cinema, and we're always eager to try new activities. They both like to do their own thing generally, but we do occasional activities as a group too. If at home, they may want to watch tv or do a jigsaw. We recently started a gardening project that is going w