Registered Manager or delegated deputy or 7.30 per hour (appointed rate will be assessed using a set criteria)

Transcription

1 Job Description Job: Reports to: Salary: Relief Worker Registered Manager or delegated deputy 6.70 or 7.30 per hour (appointed rate will be assessed using a set criteria) JOB PURPOSE To work as part of a residential care team providing the physical, health, emotional and social needs of the young people looked after. Safeguarding children and vulnerable people is a priority for all employees. Employment is on a temporary basis to cover absences in the residential units when permanent staff are absent due to sickness or annual leave, or when vacant posts have not been filled. NATURE OF THE POST The Together Trust provides a number of residential units for children and young people in the North of England and North Wales, some of which the Trust owns and some which it runs in partnership with local authorities. Relief Workers are employed on a casual basis to assist with the core tasks within the residential unit and are expected that to operate at all times within the Trust s Policies & Procedures and the legislative framework pertaining to children and young people. Although relief work is casual, it can provide a developmental opportunity for a person who has little or no previous experience of working in a social care environment. A person offered relief work will be deemed to be suitable to work with young people and to have the potential to be able to benefit from induction training and work shadowing, in order to develop basic residential work skills over a timelimited period. Some training courses available to Relief Workers may only be part funded. The actual work undertaken is similar to that of a residential social care worker within the Trust. Relief Workers do not work unsupervised and are not expected to undertake keyworker duties. Relief Workers can expect to be offered shifts by the Registered Manager or delegated deputy, which may include weekends and evenings. Relief Workers will be supported by suitably experienced staff. A number of administrative hours may be spent attending meetings, staff meetings, supervision, annual appraisals, training, and young people s reviews. In undertaking activities with the young Page 1 of 6

2 people and on behalf of the unit Relief Workers can expect to use the Trust s vehicle/s based at the unit. The nature of the work of the Trust is varied and in many instances unpredictable. All staff, including Relief Workers, are therefore expected to work in a flexible way and tasks that have not been covered in the job description have to be undertaken. The work of the Relief Worker is guided by employed staff on shift, and will include acceptance of a level of responsibility and use of initiative. Core tasks include some record keeping in accordance with legislation and regulation. At all times, the post holder is expected to conduct themselves professionally, to work within the current legislative framework and adhere to the Trust s Policies & Procedures. KEY DUTIES 1. Provide a caring, safe, secure and accepting environment that meets the basic physical, health, social needs and rights of the young people. This will include supporting less experienced staff via positive and effective team working to achieve high quality standards of care that are set and agreed by the Registered Manager on behalf of the Trust. This work will aim to respect and promote the needs of each young person arising from their racial, cultural and religious background. 2. Undertake a range of domestic duties, including cooking and some cleaning, to a good standard, to ensure compliance with health and safety policies and the guidelines for young people and staff. 3. Assist with the assessments of need and formulation of plans to enable these needs to be met. This involves working in partnership with other agencies and taking into account the wishes and feelings of the young people, their parents and other persons with parental responsibility, in line with legislation pertaining to the young people. 4. Maximise educational opportunities and achievements for the young people looked after within the unit by assisting in identifying, establishing and supporting educational provision and contributing to educational reviews. 5. Undertake direct work that is designed to meet the young person s needs as identified within the care plan, enabling them to reach full their potential. Particular attention should be paid to dealing sensitively with transitions. Supporting the young person s significant relationships will be a part of this task. 6. Develop and maintain a good level of awareness of child protection issues, assessing and recording risk. This will include referring any child protection issues to the Registered Manager and incorporating consistent boundary setting into everyday practice in order to ensure effectiveness in the prevention and appropriate management of challenging behaviour. 7. Maintain accurate and up to date records of the work undertaken with the young people and complete written reports for planning meetings and statutory reviews as necessary. This will be in consultation with the line manager and be undertaken to a standard commensurate with the professional aims of the service. Page 2 of 6

3 8. Take responsibility for the promotion of safeguarding and the welfare of children and young persons for who s/he is responsible for. Page 3 of 6

4 Person Specification Relief Worker Note to applicant: When completing the application form you should demonstrate the extent to which you have to necessary education, experience, knowledge and skills identified for the post. Education/ Qualifications Knowledge Experience Essential Good standard of written and oral English Ability to gain NVQ Level 3 within time scales set by Together Trust Desirable DipSW, CQSW, CSS, NVQ Level 3 or equivalent, D32/D33 Knowledge of the National Care Standards Knowledge and understanding of the Children Act 2004 Working with young people & an understanding of the issues affecting them Working with children in a residential setting Skills & Abilities Flexibility to respond to the needs of the unit and young people Good communication and interpersonal skills Good organisational and time management skills Ability to undertake the full range of tasks in a well planned way that respects & values the young people as individuals Working with or within statutory, voluntary agencies and/or other settings To assist with risk assessments in residential and community settings Ability and resilience to work with behaviour which challenges in a caring and consistent manner, including the maintenance of appropriate boundaries for behaviour Page 4 of 6

5 The basic conditions of service as follows: The Together Trust requires all Relief Workers to state the number of hours worked per week for other employers by completing a pro forma sent out with confirmation of employment as a Relief Worker (Working Time Directive, 1 October 1998). Relief Workers are entitled to 2 days paid leave for each month of continuous employment, based on the average number of hours worked over the period to a maximum of 37 per week. Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) would be paid for sickness absence after statutory waiting period of 3 days, provided there had been at least 12 weeks continuous service. Absences of excessive length or frequency would normally be unpaid with the Relief Worker claiming SSP direct from the DSS. Page 5 of 6

6 Additional information The work at the Trust for those working directly with the service users can on occasion be physically demanding and employees must be able to undertake in full the requirements of the job and requisite training. For the safety of staff and the service users, training will be provided to assist employees to carry out their role, specifically the Movement & Management of Loads & People, Emergency First Aid and PROACT SCIPr UK training (this provides staff with the skills to carry out the sometimes necessary safe holds in a non threatening way). Employees will be required to fully participate in all training. Having a disabling condition does not preclude you from working for the Together Trust. However you should make the Together Trust aware of any adaptations required to enable you to undertake the work. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all its staff and volunteers to share that commitment. The Together Trust is committed to equality and diversity, but is under represented in the work force by men, men and women from ethnic groups and people with disabilities. The Together Trust therefore welcomes applicants regardless of their racial, ethnic or national origin, religion or beliefs, disability, sexuality, age or responsibilities for dependents. Page 6 of 6