Support Worker (Peripatetic) - Mental Health & Learning Disabilities

VSA are looking for caring and compassionate individuals to work flexibly across our Adult and Community Services. You will join our dedicated teams of Support Workers, providing a professional, caring and effective service to those within our care.

As a Support Worker you will work 39 hours full time (5 days from 7 working days), across all our Mental Health and Adults with Learning Disabilities Services, you will work a mixture of late and early shifts including weekends. Flexibility is the key to this role as well as being adaptable to different teams, service user groups and settings.

Any prior experience of working with mental health problems and learning difficulties would be welcome but is not essential as full on the job training will be provided. Qualifications in SCQF Level 6 or 7 in Social Services and Healthcare or SVQ 2 or 3 in Social Services and Healthcare is beneficial. If you do not hold this qualification the you must however be willing to undertake an SCQF Level 6 in Social Services and Healthcare .

Purpose of Job:

As a Support Worker will contribute to the provision of quality services to meet the needs of service users, according to agreed VSA standards, policies and regulatory requirements.

Main Duties/Responsibilities:

1. Communicating effectively with individuals according to agreed standards and procedures, accessing and updating records in keeping with guidelines.

2. Helping to provide a safe and protective environment by complying with health, safety, and security procedures, including medication, and reporting accidents/incidents when appropriate.

3. Supporting service users in their daily living, according to their recognised and agreed needs, providing personal care where necessary, adhering to practices which promote well-being, choice, and treating people with dignity and respect.

4. Assisting service users in developing and maintaining social networks and relationships.

5. Assisting and encouraging service users to develop skills and knowledge to live as independently as possible, if appropriate, with reference to the risk assessment process.

6. Participating in the development, implementation and review of personal plans with service users.

7. Supporting service users appropriately when they experience a significant life change or loss.

8. Developing one’s knowledge and practice continuously through participation in training and development activities.

9. Carrying out any other tasks from time to time, provided they are reasonable and within the postholder’s capabilities.

10. Having awareness and work within internal control systems in your area to facilitate improvement in the quality of service provided

Qualifications/Training/Education:

Essential:

Willingness and ability to achieve SCQF Level 6 in Social Services and Healthcare within 3 years of appointment or as determined by VSA.

Experience:

Essential:

Experience of working in a busy environment

Key Skills/Aptitudes:

Essential:

Ability to communicate well verbally with individuals.

Ability to write short reports

Personal Qualities:

Essential:

Approachable

Adaptable to different teams, service user groups and settings

Ethical

Non-judgemental

Team-worker

Health and Safety aware

Client Focused

Organised