As a SkILs support worker you’ll thrive on making a difference in people’s lives while working in the health and social care sector.
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.
About you
As a SkILs support worker you will bring to the role:
- Supporting people with everyday tasks like getting washed and dressed and becoming independent in doing this.
- Finding new ways to enable people to do the activities they used to do.
- Building people’s confidence and support them to access community facilities.
- Candidates must demonstrate effective communication skills, both written and verbal, as well as possessing numeracy abilities.
About the role
As our next SkILs support worker, you will be community based, providing the service within customers’ own homes (you will need to be a car driver). You will have excellent communication skills and be a team player. You will be motivated and a critical thinker with the ability to understand the needs of your customers.
The role is integral to our SkILs team: SkILs reablement support helps people get their independence back at home after an illness, injury, or life change.
The SkILs Service supports adults with various requirements from a range of communities, using a person-centred approach, to enable them to maximise their independence and recovery.
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 Catherine Smethurst, operational development manager. Call 07891278435 or email Catherine.smethurst@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 are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.
We promote diversity and want a workforce that reflects the population of Leeds. Leeds City Council is ranked 70 on the Stonewall Equality Index 2023. We are also an age-friendly employer, a Mindful Employer and a Disability Confident Leader.
All new Leeds City Council appointments are made subject to the satisfactory completion of a six-month probationary period.
This role is based in the UK. Employment is conditional on confirmation of the right to work in the UK - 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 and the role does not meet eligibility for sponsorship, please consider carefully whether you meet the eligibility to apply.
Job description
Job Purpose:
To provide support to adults with eligible reablement needs with personal care and daily living activities in line with an agreed reablement delivery plan in order that their independence choice control and social inclusion is maximized as part of a reablement intervention
Responsibilities:
- To provide support with personal care utilising a person-centred approach to enable customers to maximise their independence and recovery.
- To support customers with daily living activities as identified in their support plan and as part of a package of support including personal care.
- To contribute to and utilise reablement delivery plans and person-centred risk assessments to promote independence in a safe environment.
- To carry out moving and handling including use of equipment.
- To support customers in the use of community equipment, telecare and adaptations.
- To contribute to reviews considering customer’s ongoing support needs.
- To support with medication as identified by a medication planner and maintain required records.
- To support customers to access the local amenities and the community outside of their home as part of a reablement plan.
- To promote dignity and wellbeing, and safeguard adults from abuse and ensure all safeguarding concerns are reported to line manager.
- To respect the confidential nature of the work and ensure that customers and carers are aware of the Councils policies relating to the customers access to files and to work within the appropriate information sharing agreements.
- To communicate with the customer, their family, carers and other professionals involved in their support as necessary.
- To attend and participate in meetings, training and supervision as required.
- To accurately complete all necessary documentation, written and electronic, records and reports as necessary and determined by the LCC procedures.
- To attend and participate in meetings, training and supervision as required.
- To deliver a high-quality service in line with CQC regulations and requirements.
- To assist with basic training and induction of colleagues and new starters.
- To participate in training and development activities (including reflective practice) as necessary to ensure up to date knowledge, skills and continuous professional development.
- To complete the Care Certificate within 12 weeks of commencement of the post.
- To actively respect and consider all cultural, religious, personal and social needs.
- To comply with the requirements of all LCC policies procedures and staff instructions, including responsibilities for Health and Safety, Safeguarding Adults and Equality and Diversity.
- Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
- Participate in appraisal, training, and development activities as necessary to ensure up to date knowledge and skills.
- Improve own practice through observation, evaluation, discussion with colleagues and appropriate CPD programmes.
- 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 equality & diversity policies 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
- Candidates to undertake a Level 2 Adult Care Worker Apprenticeship within 12 months of commencement of the post.
- Candidates to successfully complete the Care Certificate within 12 weeks of commencement into post
- Successful candidates will be offered an opportunity to undertake a Level 3 Lead Adult Care Worker Apprenticeship.
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
- Ability to work with one or more of the following customer groups, older people, people who have physical and/or sensory impairments, people who have mental health problems, people who have learning difficulties and parents with children
- Ability to communicate and present varied information in the most appropriate formats and pass information effectively, accurately and concisely between various stakeholders.
- Ability to work in a supportive and enabling manner that focuses on supporting individual customers to achieve their goals during a short-term intervention.
- Ability to use a person-centred approach and contribute to and monitor support plans
- Ability to respond to rapid changes in customers skills and confidence and their support needs
- Ability to show empathy and patience when supporting customers.
- Ability to demonstrate personal and daily living skills and techniques
- Ability to work unsupervised and on one’s own initiative on a daily basis.
- Ability to work with and consider the needs of customers from diverse, multi-cultural and ethnic backgrounds.
- Ability to work flexibly as part of a team.
- Ability to undertake moving and handling
- Ability to travel around the city to meet the needs of the service
- Ability to work with a variety of electronic communications and technology.
- Must have valid driving licence and access to a vehicle
KNOWLEDGE/QUALIFICATIONS
- Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of confidentiality and the needs and wishes of customers as appropriate.
- Demonstrate an awareness of the needs of older and disabled adults.
- Demonstrate an understanding of diversity issues within local communities.
- Demonstrate functional skills in literacy and numeracy at Level 1 or equivalent
- Requirement to do the Care Certificate within 12 weeks of commencement of the post
- Commitment to undertake a Level 2 Adult Care Worker Apprenticeship within 12 months commencement of the post.
BEHAVIOURAL AND OTHER RELATED CHARACTERISTICS
- Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and codes of conduct.
- Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon
- Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council equality and diversity policies.
- Carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health and Safety Policies.
- Willingness to actively participate in training and development activities.
- Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
- Participate in appraisal, training, and development activities.
- Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures.
- Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, equality & diversity policies of Leeds City Council.
- Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person.
- The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and the role will be expected to work within these parameters.
- To respect each customers right to exercise choice and control over their own lives
DESIRABLE REQUIREMENTS: It is desirable that the Candidate should be able to demonstrate the 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.
KNOWLEDGE/QUALIFICATIONS
- Local knowledge of the area.
- Of the social model of disability.
- Of Health and Safety at work policies
- Of moving and handling techniques
EXPERIENCE
- Of working with people and supporting people in a paid or voluntary capacity
- Of working as part of a team
- Of working with older or disabled people in a social care or health setting
BEHAVIOURAL AND OTHER RELATED CHARACTERISTICS
- Knowledge of the problems of disadvantaged groups.
