Senior Support Worker - Laurel Bank - REQ003171

Job title: Senior Support Worker

Salary: C1 £28,598 - £31,022

Hours: 37

Contract: Permanent

Location: Laurel Bank Day Centre, Middelton Park Avenue, Middleton, Leeds LS10 4HY

Would you like to be part of something bigger and join us in our plan to become the Best City, working together as a Team for Leeds. Do your values match ours and do you have something to offer? Leeds City Council delivers over 500 different services to residents and is dedicated to bringing the benefits of a prosperous, vibrant and attractive city to the people of Leeds. This is a fantastic time to join us.

Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions.

We pride ourselves on offering the best employee experience, with a genuine commitment to keeping our colleagues safe and well at work.

About you

As a Senior Support Worker your role will be to ensure the smooth running of the Complex Needs Day Services supporting customers from a range of communities with differing support needs such as dementia, mental health and physical impairment. We would especially like to hear from you if you have caring experience and are an enthusiastic, flexible and compassionate person. Although the role is primarily based at Laurel Bank Day service, there is an expectation to cover other locations within the service when required.

We are looking for someone with excellent communication skills and to be proactive when working on your own as well as working with the team. To be motivated and a critical thinker with the ability to understand the needs of your customers. What you will bring to the role

Good knowledge and understanding of the needs of older people to support them to overcome barriers.

The ability to use a person-centred, strength-based approach and undertake and monitor support plans and risk management plans

Understanding of the Mental Capacity Act (2005).
IT skills with strong literacy and numeracy abilities are essential with an ability to write clear and concise reports.
Candidates are required to demonstrate a capability to manage a care setting in deputising for the Manager when required by the service.
Knowledge of Health and Safety Legislation, as well as an understanding of the requirements of the Health and Social Care Act (2008), its regulations and other relevant legislation and guidance.
Commitment to undertake a Level 3 Adult Care Worker Apprenticeship within 12 months of commencement of the post

The post includes weekend working on a rota basis. A requirement to be flexible is needed in this role to support the service.

What we offer you

We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:

a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements
a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities
a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further

How to apply

Apply for this job online. Please complete the online application form.

Read our guidance for further advice. Please check your information carefully and ensure you complete all sections before submitting your application.

If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role please contact Ian Wallace, Operational Manager, 07891 278490or email Ian.Wallace@leeds.gov.uk

A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check will be carried out on preferred candidates. Read our recruitment of ex-offenders policy.

We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans as well as LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care experienced people.

This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa.

If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker visaroute before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £41,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Ensure you are eligible before applying.

Job Description

Job Purpose: To work to provide an integrated package of care and support to customers to enable them to live independent, safe and fulfilling lives in the community using a strengths-based approach.

Responsibilities:

To provide guidance, support & undertake supervision of support workers as required.
To take a lead in managing the shift in the absence of the deputy manager / manager undertaking duties commensurate with the role.
To work flexibly across the day opportunity provision.
To facilitate and participate in the induction of new workers, volunteers, and students.
To work as part of a team and to support the manager to develop the service.
To contribute to the preparation of reports and management information
To assess new referrals to ensure that they meet the services access criteria via liaison with potential customers and referral agencies.
To work in partnership with individuals to identify their needs and strengths through the assessment and support planning process.
To undertake support plans and person-centred risk assessments and promote their implementation in order to promote independence in a safe environment.
To arrange and coordinate appropriate reviews including the annual provider-led reviews and participate in multi-agency meetings including the care programme approach (CPA). This will also include working collaboratively with health professionals to apply the principles of the Mental Capacity Act (2005)
To work using an asset-based community development approach (ABCD) by building and developing positive links with the local community and mainstream resources including the use of leisure, education, employment, volunteering and faith organisations and support customers engagement with these resources.
To lead, develop and organise group activities and assess for any potential risk both in the building and community. Where activities are in the building base, this includes the setting up of the room/s as appropriate and liaising with partners to support them to undertake facilitation of groups.
To assess and undertake lone working as required in accordance with the associated risk assessment.
To be a key holder, locking and unlocking the building at the start and end of the day where required
To facilitate customers to access the community and its links / events and/or appointments as required.
To support customers to develop or maintain life skills by the provision of advice prompting, guidance and/or signposting
To undertake financial transactions in line with LCC Financial Regulations. This may include amenity funds, petty cash and applications for grant funding
To undertake training to transcribe medication and to draw up customer support plans. To manage medication as specified in support and risk management plans including administration if required; And supervision of Support Worker medication administration to ensure staff have reached the required competency and this is reviewed every 6 months.
To provide personal care and support to customers where required and as specified in their support plan
To support the safeguarding of customers within a positive risk management framework, ensuring that all safeguarding issues are monitored and reported promptly in line with the multi-agency framework
To liaise and communicate with relatives, carers, other professionals and appropriate agencies.
To co-ordinate and facilitate service users to become involved in the on-going development of the service.
To ensure the provision of advocacy services to customers.
To deal with crisis and challenging situations appropriately.
To attend and participate in meetings, training, personal supervision and performance appraisal as required.
To respect the confidential nature of the work and ensure that customers and carers are aware of the Council’s policies relating to the customers access to files and to work within the appropriate information sharing protocol and the General Data Protection Rules (GDPR)
To accurately complete all necessary documentation on the Client Information System (CIS APEX), records and reports as necessary and determined by the LCC procedures including the Code of Practice.
To comply with the requirements of all Leeds City Council policies, procedures, including responsibilities under the Health and Safety Policy and Procedures.
To actively promote and support Leeds City Council's and Departmental Policies best practice and diversity and equality of opportunity

Generic

To participate in appraisal, training and development activities as necessary to ensure up to date knowledge and skills
To improve own practice through observation, evaluation, discussion with colleagues and appropriate CPD programmes.
To work collaboratively with colleagues, knowing when to seek help and advice.
Contribute to the overall ethos, work, and aims of the service by attending relevant meetings, training days/events as requested.
Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures e.g. child protection, health, safety and security, confidentiality and data protection, reporting all concerns to an appropriate person
Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding and promoting the values, standards and equal opportunities of Leeds City Council.
Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation and any form of abuse of equal opportunities, ensuring compliance with relevant policies and procedures.

The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate with the job evaluation outcome for this post.

The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and this role will be expected to work within these parameters.

Qualifications:

Commitment to undertake a Level 3 Adult Care Worker Apprenticeship within 12 months of commencement of the post

PERSONAL SPECIFICATION

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS: It is essential that the Candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post within the context of the specific role duties and responsibilities: Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate on the application form that they meet all the essential requirements

Method of Assessment will be through one or more of the following Application Form, Test, Interview, and Certificate

Skills Required:

Ability to communicate orally and in writing complex and sensitive information effectively, accurately, and concisely between various stakeholders.
Ability to promote and work in a supportive and enabling manner that focuses on supporting individual customers to achieve their goals.
Ability to undertake some moving and handling
Ability to use a person-centred, strength-based approach and undertake and monitor support plans and risk management plans
Ability to promote, support and enable customers to make choices about their lives.
Ability to support customers with interpersonal skills when they meet and interact with other people.
Ability to manage challenging situations appropriately.
Ability to show empathy and patience when supporting customers.
Ability to work unsupervised and on one’s own initiative on a daily basis.
Ability to work with and take into account the needs of customers from diverse backgrounds.
Ability to make decisions and work flexibly as part of a team.
Ability to work in partnership with other professionals and agencies
Ability to work successfully alongside mainstream community resources to promote and facilitate access for customers.
Ability to work with a variety of electronic communications and technology.

Knowledge Required:

Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of confidentiality and the needs and wishes of customers as appropriate
Demonstrate an awareness of the needs associated with vulnerable adults including safeguarding procedures
Demonstrate an understanding of diversity issues within local communities.
Of current policies and trends in relation to vulnerable adults.
Of Health and Safety at work policies
Requirement to complete the Care Certificate within 12 weeks of commencement of the post
Demonstrate functional skills in literacy and numeracy at Level 1 or equivalent and demonstrate a willingness to work towards Level 2 or equivalent as required for the Level 3 Apprenticeship
Commitment to undertake a Level 3 Adult Care Worker Apprenticeship within 12 months of commencement of the post

Experience Required:

Of enabling customers to access mainstream community resources.
Of working with people in a health and/or social care setting.
Of providing support for vulnerable customers / customer groups
Of working as part of a team.
Of implementing person centred approaches.
Of communicating with individuals using a variety of methods.

Behavioural & other Characteristics required:

To respect each customers right to exercise choice and take control over their own lives.
Committed to continuous improvement.
Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council Equal Opportunities Policy.
Carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health & Safety Policies.
Willingness to actively participate in training and development activities to ensure up to date knowledge, skills and continuous professional development
Knowledge of the problems of disadvantaged groups.

DESIRABLE REQUIREMENTS: It is desirable that the Candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post within the context of the specific role duties and responsibilities: Candidates are not required to meet all the desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between acceptable candidates.

Skills Required:

Ability to use a variety of digital platforms and tools, including Microsoft Teams.

Knowledge Required:

An understanding of the Authority, its function and organisation.
Of the social model of disability.
Of Health and Safety at work policies.
Of other providers.
Of how voluntary sector and community groups are organised and co-ordinated.
Of supervising staff.

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