Support Worker

Thistles Market Garden is looking to recruit a well-motivated, warm and friendly individual to join our existing team of staff. You will need to demonstrate that you are able to support, encourage and enable individuals who have a learning disability to participate in various activities both within the area of Thistles Market Garden and out and about in the community. An interest or some knowledge of horticulture would be an advantage.

**Responsibilities and Duties**

**Qualifications and Experience**
- Learning Disability setting: 2 years
- NVQ Level 2 Health and Social Care or The Care Certificate

**Driving** A full licence is required to drive our mini-bus to include D1 on their licence.

**Benefits**
- 28 days annual leave pro rata (including bank holidays)
- Pension
- Comprehensive training and ongoing development
- Paid DBS

**Disclosure and Barring Service Check**

**Thistles**
**Market Garden Ltd**
Station Road
Sutterton
Boston
Lincolnshire
PE20 2JX
Tel: 01205 461286

FCA Register No. 31461 R

**JOB DESCRIPTION**

Job Title:
**Support Worker**

Overall Function
of the Post:
To support a group of adults with a learning disability with a person centred approach to reach their full potential through daily purposeful activities in horticulture. Support workers will encourage the people they support to grow in confidence and integrate into the local community in a happy and safe learning environment.

**Team Structure**:
Management Committee

Manager

Support Worker

1-1 Support Assistants

Relief Staff

Volunteers

**Key Duties**:
1

Promote personalisation through implementing a person centred support plan, which meets individual needs and promotes individual choice.

2

Encourage the person to become an active member of their community, through day to day activities and social networking.

3

Support people with a learning disability and other disabilities to make informed choices and develop their skills, experience and social inclusion through supporting them to take part in horticultural based activities and partnership working.

4

Develop and deliver a safe, high quality service to the people we support at all times. Ensure risk assessments are actioned.

5

Ensure all written records are recorded accurately, including contact sheets, incident forms and personal information.

Ensure all records and personal information is used in compliance with the Data Protection Act. GDPR

6

Follow administration procedures including cash handling and maintain all records relating to Thistles Market Garden.

7

Attend training and complete E-learning and put your learning into practice.

Contribute to further develop opportunities for the people we support, exploring new activities, review existing activities, responding to feedback from the people we support.

8

Participate in supervision and team meetings. Attend reviews.

9

Work in a supportive manner with colleagues, families and external parties, building professional relationships, involving them in achieving positive outcomes.

10

Support people who may display challenging behaviour, work proactively with other professionals to improve outcomes and support for the individual and their carer.

11

Maintain and manage the garden, supporting the people within our care and volunteers to take part in gardening and horticultural activities that actively contributes to our project. Reasonable amount of fitness required.

12

Ensure that the people we support are involved in the planning and continuous review of their support.

Ensure all resources are efficiently and effectively utilised in the best interests of the people we support.

13

Ensure people are not bullied, abused or harmed. Adhere to Safeguarding policy and procedure and Equal Opportunities policy.

Treat the people we support with dignity and respect, ensuring the constant promotion of the individual’s rights.

14

Undertake such duties within the general scope of the post as may be determined by theManager.

**PERSON SPECIFICATION**

**Requirement**

**Essential**

**Desired**

The Care Certificate or equivalent

Enhanced DBS

Good interpersonal skills.

Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal and have the ability to form positive working relationships with colleagues, customers and their families.

Understanding of Care Act 2014

To follow individual support plans, work in a person centred way to ensure individual outcomes are met.

To have the ability to use tact, diplomacy and negotiating skills when dealing with challenging behaviour/encounters.

To have appropriate First Aid Qualification

To be willing to attend training and share learning.

To exercise confidentiality

Able to adapt communication to meet individual needs, to listen and demonstrate an understanding of what is being said.

To have the ability to work as part of a team and on your own initiative.

To follow policy and guidance as per Thistles Market Garden Ltd.

To have the ability to be flexible and