Support Worker - West Lothian

Support Worker - West Lothian

West Lothian offers Housing Support and Care at Home services to Adults and Children, we also deliver in conjunction with West Lothian Council.

Post: Support Worker Service: Housing & Community Support Services (HACSS)

Base: Regional base as set by line manager

Line Managed by: Team Manager

Salary :

Unqualified- £24,402,92 - £24,890,98 per annum pro rata

Qualified- £24,890,98 - £25,338,37 per annum pro rata

Casual rate: £12 per hour

Sleepover rate (if applicable) £96 per night.

Hours: Part-time up to 16 hours

Requirements: A driving licence is preferred

Main purpose:

The main purpose of this post is to provide a caring, efficient and effective 24/7 support service to people who use The Action Group’s Services. This will include assisting people to develop their skills by supervising and participating in various support activities in a way that enriches their opportunities and promotes choice. The main duties for this post are detailed below under two headings: 1. Specific Duties (that apply to this job in particular) 2. General Duties (that apply to all staff in The Action Group)

About the role

Specific Duties

• Practice the TAG Key Worker system. For example, organising support plans / case reviews as required for individual people we support with all relevant stakeholders, ensuring effective handovers between staff, and maintaining records, case files etc.
• Promote the physical and emotional wellbeing of the people we support at all times (eg. supporting people to maintain acceptable and adequate levels of self-care, carrying out risk assessments, etc)
• Actively develop meaningful and trusting relationships with the people we support (eg. helping people to gain insight into their own behaviour, attitudes and reactions)
• Encourage independence in all daily living activities wherever possible, and support them with this only when necessary (e.g. housework, food preparation, household admin etc)
• Promote people’s hobbies, interests and activities, and encourage participation in all aspects of community life. For support workers in the Children and Adults in Transition Services this may include organising day trips and activities with young people as required, as well as accompanying them to sporting activities such as swimming, and participating in these activities as appropriate.
• Directly assist with the personal care as required
• Work with the people we support to maximize their ability to communicate effectively and promote self-advocacy wherever possible
• Advocate on behalf of the people we support when needed (e.g. liaising with external organisations regarding benefits, education, tenancy and employment etc)
• Work with relatives and carers of people we support (e.g. arranging support plans, dealing with complaints and frustrations, etc) and help to ensure that relatives have a significant role in the person’s life wherever possible and appropriate.
• Find out about the wide range of local services, amenities and organisations available to people we support.
• Work with both individuals and groups of in all of the above, according to need
• Participate flexibly in the various shift work patterns required by the needs of the people we support (including regular working outwith weekday office hours; for example, in the evening and at weekends, where applicable)
• Regularly undertake ‘sleepover’ or ‘waking night’ duties where required
• From time-to-time, the postholder may be asked to cover short-term absences of Support Workers in other teams.

General Duties (these are applicable to all The Action Group staff)

• Read, and work in accordance with, TAG’s Mission, Aims & Objectives, and current Business Plan
• Manage own work time effectively
• Keep on top of own paperwork and maintain effective and organised filing systems, as appropriate to the specific job role
• Treat everyone with consideration and respect
• Ensure prompt, polite and clear communication (whether responding to a query from a member of staff or a complaint from person we support)
• Keep up to date and comply with all applicable TAG policies and procedures (covering everything from personal Health & Safety to Care Commission Standards)
• Promote and respect individual rights and responsibilities at all time
• Retain the highest standards of confidentiality, as appropriate to the specific role
• Assist your manager and other work colleagues as appropriate and whenever possible
• Take charge of own CPD (Continuous Professional Development) and contribute to TAG maintaining the Investors In People standard
• Be responsible for own work life balance (e.g. taking annual leave at regular intervals, etc)