Lead Support Worker

Job Title: Lead Support Worker

Location: Various around the North East – NE26 2RQ

Salary: £12.90 Per Hour

Job Type: Full time, Permanent

Responsible To: Support Manager

Responsible for:

• Assisting the Support Manager to ensure that the people we support get high quality support designed around their own needs and wishes.
• Assisting the Support Manager with the supervision, monitoring and day-to-day management of all staff.
• Contributing to the monitoring and quality assurance of the support provided. Communicating on a day-to-day basis with people we support, their families and others involved in each individual’s care and support.

Principal Duties

• Ensure that the support team are competent and focused, and are able to fulfil the needs of the people we support
• Assist the Support Manager to assess the people we support and agree their needs. Produce support plans as needed after the assessment is completed.
• Provide on call support as part of a rota
• Act up in the absence of the Support Manager
• Support the management of efficient use of physical and financial resources, in accordance with the Association’s policies and procedures
• Contribute to the development, provision and review of Person-Centred Support Plans
• Take appropriate steps to protect and safeguard verbal, written and electronically stored information, within the job holder’s control and ensure that such information is available to (only) authorised users on request.
• Be responsible for the production (with assistance from Support Manager if required) for the rota ensuring it meets the needs of the people we support.
• Ensure all Health & Safety requirements are met.
• Carry out any duties set out by Support Manager to enable the smooth running of the service for the people we support.
• Ensure the maintenance of appropriate and positive attitudes and values within the service.
• Work with a range of client groups and needs as required i.e. children, adults, and older people.

Care

• Promote each person’s physical, emotional and spiritual needs, ensuring that they are met
• Work closely with the people we support and their families and others involved in their lives. Learn from experience and continually improve your own performance and that of the staff team
• Ensure each person is able to make informed choices and rights are upheld – promote self-advocacy
• Support each person in their daily activities, according to their preferences; escort and support people with appointments
• Contribute to the protection of individuals from abuse and ensure all safeguarding procedures are followed as needed.
• Promote, monitor and maintain health, safety and security of the individual and staff, according to the Association’s procedures and guidelines

Personal Development

• Develop one’s own knowledge and practice by attending statutory/relevant training
• Continue to develop skills to assist support staff in developing their underpinning knowledge and skills
• Develop all other areas identified in appraisal
• Be prepared to act up to a more senior role if needed

Behaviour

• Act with integrity and honesty at all times
• Be approachable and supportive of colleagues
• Be willing to share knowledge and experience
• Work well with others and builds rapport

THIS JOB DESCRIPTION IS NOT INTENDED TO BE AN EXHAUSTIVE LIST OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES BUT GIVES AN INDICATION OF THE MAIN AREAS OF ACTIVITY AND INVOLVEMENT

Education and Qualifications

Essential

• NVQ Level 2 – Promoting Independence (prepared to undertake training)

Desirable

• Good demonstrable education standards,
• NVQ Level 3 or equivalent
• NVQ Team Leading Level 2

Key Skills and Abilities

• Experience of working with people with a learning disability
• Contribute to the development and effectiveness of the team
• Contribute to the development of teams and individuals
• Contribute to developing cultures and strategies in which people are respected and valued as individuals
• Contribute to the planning and evaluation of support plans, risk assessments etc
• Ability to use IT effectively
• Building relationships with internal and external stakeholders
• Supervisory or leadership experience (Desirable)

Knowledge and Understanding

• Understanding of people civil and human rights
• Equal opportunities
• Legislation – policy and good practice
• Effective methods of communication
• Health and safety at work
• The protection of individuals from abuse

Personal Attributes

• Time management
• Continuous self-development
• Involving and motivating others
• Good role model to other staff
• Highly motivated
• Flexibility
• Creative thinker
• Driver (Desirable)

Candidates with the relevant experience or job titles of: Senior Support Worker, Care Manager, Support Provision Supervisor, Support Manager, Senior Carer, Care Team Manager, Support Supervisor, Senior Care Worker, Assistant Service Manager, Social Care Manager, Support Worker, Carer, Care Support, Care Assistant, Social Worker, Support Assistant, Autism Support may also be considered for this role.