Senior position within the organisation. Particular responsibilities to a particular group.

Purpose of the Position:

To work as part of a team providing care and support to individuals within their own home, based on the ‘ordinary life’ principles of choice, competence, community participation, and respect and community presence.

Principle Duties and Responsibilities

1.To develop and maintain the skills of the service user by encouraging and involving them in day to day activities, participating in service users’ chosen activities and enhancing community networks;

2.To facilitate and support the person to make all decisions affecting their life;

3.To contribute to, implement and monitor service user’s care plan in consultation with the service user;

4.To support the service user maintain their health and general well-being;

5.To support the service user with personal care as required;

6.To carry out household duties, in a way that involves the person as much as possible;

7.To administer medication according to procedure;

8.To support the service user with the management of their personal finances and in accordance with the homes procedures;

9.To support the service user to plan social activities and holidays and to accompany the service user when required;

10. To assist in the general administration of the home, including updating daily diaries, communication book, incident/accident forms etc;

11. To communicate effectively with outside agencies, professionals, relatives etc as required;

12. To adhere to all policies and procedures and to assist in developing, monitoring and implementing them;

13. To receive regular formal supervision and undertake training as required, and to contribute towards the induction of new staff members;

14. To proactively support the person to maintain and develop friendships with others in their community;

15. To actively support person centred approaches within the home.

This job description outlines the main duties and responsibilities of the post holder. The post may include other duties and responsibilities not specified here. It is also likely that changes may be required form time to time.

Additional duties to the role:

·     Supervision of Support Workers and relevant volunteers;

·     Organising reviews and liaising with the Home Manager;

·     Supporting Keyworkers to ensure all paperwork is in place prior to each review;

·     In the absence of the Home Manager organising and leading team meetings;

·     In the absence of the Home Manager to ‘deputise’ and take responsibility for the smooth day to day running of the home;

·     Providing on call cover on a rota basis;

·     Ensuring all files and records are up to date;

·     Ensuring care plans are followed and records kept;

·     Ensuring medication records are accurate and meet standards;

·     Taking responsibility for ensuring service users finances are recorded accurately and that the balances are correct at all times;

·     Attending regular meetings with the Home Manager;

·     Enabling effective communication at all levels between all staff, service users, families and others;

·     Preparing effective rotas which should then be passed to the Home Manager for approval;

·     Any other duties which in the context of the role may from time to time be specified by the management team.

   Person Specification

We are looking for an individual who can motivate and enthuse, promote good practice, work on their own initiative and as part of a team, provide a positive role model, see things through to completion and foster a culture in which potential is recognised, independence promoted and achievements celebrated.

The successful applicant:

§  Have up to 2 years’ experience of working with adults with learning disabilities and autism;

§  Be committed to a person centred approach which values adults with learning disabilities and autism as equal and inclusive citizens;

§  Be committed to working positively and creatively to meet the needs/aspirations of service users and to uphold the philosophy of Vista Care Limited;

§  Adhere to the Vista Care Limited code of ethics in all aspects of his/her work with service users;

§  Be committed to the continuous improvement of the home through appropriate monitoring and evaluation;

§  Be experienced in handling, managing and administering medication;

§  Be experienced in setting goals and working to agreed programmes;

§  Be a good communicator verbal, non-verbal, in writing and on the telephone;

§  Be proficient in supporting service users with developing home living skills, self-help skills, skills for self-determination and coping strategies;

§  Be an excellent team builder; demonstrate ability to organise/supervise and lead a team;

§  Ensure that legal requirements are satisfied e.g. Care Standards Act 2000, and Domiciliary Care Standards 2002;

§  Have a good understanding of the principles of supervision;

§  Have a good understanding of the need for record keeping;

§  Have a full clean driving licence.

It is preferable that the applicant should also:

§ Have experience of providing supervision and performance reviews;

§ Be an experienced keyworker;

§ Have experience in preparation of working rotas.