Support Practitioner | RISE

Position

Job Title: Support Practitioner | RISE

Responsible to: Service Manager & Team Lead

Hours of Work: Full-time (36.5 hours per week)

Salary: £22,620 - £25,092 (scale points 24-28)

Contract: Permanent

SSSC registration level: Practitioner

About RISE

This service provides intensive support to individuals who are, or have been, involved with the justice system or Mental Health Services, supporting them to recover, re-integrate into the community, and increase employability.

Requirements

Main Responsibilities

• To understand the physical, emotional, cultural and social needs of the service users, including a wide range of needs, illnesses, disabilities and criminal justice involvement.
• Working to a person-centred and enabling approach.
• To observe and promote the service user’s choice, independence, dignity, privacy, fulfilment and other rights.
• To create and maintain good professional relationships with service users and other stakeholders
• To assist the service users to maintain effective communication with medical professionals and adhere to medication requirements that may be placed upon them, whilst listening to, understanding, and conveying their support requests to professional agencies.
• To actively support other Support Practitioners
• To undertake the tasks detailed in the service user’s care and support plan using trauma-informed practices.
• To encourage the independence and motivation of the service user and foster improved levels of self-sufficiency
• To provide input into the care and support plans alongside the service user.
• To assist service users with their medication at the agreed level of support and as detailed in their care plan.
• To use manual handling equipment safely and correctly
• To maintain good communication and develop effective working relationships with service users, families and multi-disciplinary teams
• To provide companionship to the service user, actively talking and listening to them about their interests and seeking social inclusion
• To support the service user to maintain contact with their family and social circle
• To assist the service user appropriately to manage their personal affairs and with efficient budgeting
• To ensure as safe as possible the living environment for the service user, whilst respecting the service user’s choice and rights

Systems

• Maintenance of records – Utilisation of Care Planner System and PASS to record all information in relation to Service User Management. Writing letters on behalf of service users, report writing, HSEQ checks, Risk Assessments and Risk Management Planning, etc
• The day-to-day operation of service (budgeting, appointments), meeting attendance
• Service finance
• Office 365 and IT Platforms.

References

In carrying out the above activities, the RISE Support Practitioner will:

• Work on their own and as part of teams, both within Aberdeen Cyrenians and with partnership organisations
• Maximise their own performance and contribution
• Ensure they comply with internal and external regulations, procedures and other requirements pertaining to the service
• Maintain the good reputation of the organisation
• Keep abreast of developments and legislation relevant to the service’s range of activities
• Seek to improve their knowledge and skills by both formal and informal means
• Carry out other relevant work commensurate with the post as required.

Quality Standards

• Working to the appropriate Care Inspectorate standards
• Working to the appropriate Scottish Social Services Council standards
• Working to the appropriate Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator standards
• Working to the appropriate Aberdeen Cyrenians standards and working in partnership with the commissioner
• Working to the appropriate Environmental Health standards

Basis, Values and Equal Opportunities

• To respect and work according to the mission, aims and values in all aspects of the job and be responsible for the demonstration of these in the course of the daily work.
• To respect and work according to our Equality and Diversity Policy and ensure its promotion in the course of daily work.

QUALIFICATIONS/EDUCATION/KNOWLEDGE - ESSENTIALS

• A qualification of N/SVQ2 in Care, or equivalent or the willingness and ability to attain this within five years.
• Literacy and numeracy at a level to maintain all the appropriate paperwork, write reports and support plans and give budgeting advice.
• Able to use computer applications such as Office 365.
• An understanding of social issues such as homelessness, mental health, substance misuse.
• An understanding of legislation/practice pertaining to the work.

EXPERIENCE

• Experience of working with disadvantaged people - Essential
• Experience of working in care in either a paid of voluntary capacity. - Desirable

KEY CAPABILITIES

• Interpersonal understanding – listens and understands expressed feelings; demonstrates concern for others; encourages others to express themselves. - Essential
• Emotional awareness – manages strong emotions and responds constructively; keeps own feelings in check; deals with stress. - Essential
• Service user orientation – strives to meet and surpass service users expectations; maintains appropriate contact until problem is resolved; makes self available to service users at critical periods; able to advocate on behalf of service users. - Essential
• Flexibility – adapts easily to changes at work; modifies behaviour in response to a situation; sees the merits of differing viewpoints. - Essential
• Initiative – takes responsibility; looks ahead and anticipates what needs to be done; is able to assess and manage risks. - Essential
• Team working – contributes fully to team work; establishes positive relationships with the team. - Essential
• Working within Professional Boundaries – Demonstrates professional curiosity; accepts responsibility for own work; seeks and uses professional support; understands the principle of confidentiality. - Essential
• Leadership – gives recognition and credit; generates enthusiasm and commitment. - Essential
• Developing others – assumes responsibility for addressing service users’ skills; encourages initiatives in problem solving and making choices. - Essential

CIRCUMSTANCES

• Driving License - ability to travel independently - Essential

SUPPORT

You can expect the following working for us:

• Comprehensive induction and training including online learning, face to face training and support and supervision.
• Opportunity to pursue on the job qualifications and career progression
• Case management systems and technology which helps us to ensure paperwork is streamlined and as much time as possible is spent with the service user
• Online timesheets and expenses paid weekly
• We are a Living Wage Foundation accredited employer - pay is reviewed annually each April
• Benefits including Bike to Work Scheme and retail discounts
• Employee Assistance programme offering confidential support 24/7/365
• Mileage paid at the national rate
• A warm and friendly team environment where everyone is valued.