Creative Support Ltd Head Office Tel: 0161 236 0829 Wellington House Fax: 0161 237 5126 Stockport enquiries@creativesupport.co.uk SK1 3TS www.creativesupport.co.uk Social Inclusion and Community Involvement Worker Closing Date: 09 February 2018 Reference: 21015 Thank you for your interest in the above post, please find the specific role requirements and duties for this post detailed within this document. When completing the application form you may submit additional documentation however we cannot accept a CV as a completed application. Please note the following: Once you have submitted or posted your application form allow 10 working days after the closing date for a response. As we do not notify applicants of an unsuccessful application, if no response has been received within this time, please accept this as confirmation that your application has been unsuccessful. Previously unsuccessful candidates cannot reapply to Creative Support within six months of their previous application. Please return the completed application form to Creative Support in the enclosed Freepost envelope or to Recruitment, Creative Support, Head Office, Wellington House, Stockport, SK1 3TS. Due to our charitable organisational status all application forms submitted without use of the Freepost envelope must be done so using the correct postage amount. Creative Support cannot accept receipt of forms which carry a surcharge due to incorrect postage amounts. Yours Faithfully Recruitment Department Encs: Application Form Philosophy Statement Additional Information All candidates are subjected to enhanced DBS checks. Page 1 of 7
JOB DESCRIPTION SOCIAL INCLUSION AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT WORKER Hours: 37.5 hours per week, as this is a 24 hour service there is an expectation that you will work flexibly to cover the needs of the service. Responsible to: Project Manager and other senior staff The Role: You will work alongside our Housing and Resettlement Coordinator and Specialist Recovery Workers to provide a person-centred focused support service that enables our service users to develop the necessary life skills for independent living. You will providing direct support to service users in accordance with their support plans and aspirations. You will support people to access other services that will be beneficial to their physical, emotional and financial wellbeing and will support people to access meaningful and engaging activities both in the scheme and the local community, with the aim of supporting people to be active and equal citizens. You will manage a case load and provide direct support to service users in accordance with their support plans. You will provide outcome focused support that enables people to develop essential life skills, gain confidence and access other services that will enable them to live independently in the local community. You will promote inclusion, independence and wellbeing and be competent in support & risk planning and management. You will support service users with solution focused interventions taking into account opportunities to build resilience, local connections and knowledge of universal services. Support will focus on the following outcome areas; Tenancy sustainment (where applicable) Prevention of tenancy failure or homelessness Maximised income Financial management and resilience Meaningful activity including, volunteering, training and employment Improved health and wellbeing including; smoking cessation, reduction in alcohol consumption, substance misuse, increased physical activity, improved diet and greater engagement with primary health care services. Improved self-reported quality of life and self-reliance Improved connections to local community activities. Main Tasks 1. To develop and positive person centred relationships with service users, their carers and members of their support network. 2. To carry out needs and risk assessments which identify needs, strengths and aspirations. To develop outcome focused support plans which are effectively linked in with statutory care plans (where service users are in receipt of additional care services) and which are reflective of individual preferences and goals. Support plans will be underpinned by the intended outcomes of the framework requirements: Support relating to health improvement, management and awareness Support to sustain and manage accommodation Page 2 of 7
Support to access meaningful activities including volunteering, mentoring, training and employment Support to improve life skills and support around confidence building, improving resilience and acquiring social capital and meaningful community connections 3. To provide direct support to service users in accordance with their assessed housing and wellbeing needs and support plans. To assist and support services users in ways that maintain their dignity, confidence and independence and enable them to express their views and concerns. 4. To work closely with community groups, other agencies and professionals to make the best use of available resources across Wigan, supporting service users to access opportunities for volunteering, supported employment, paid employment, education and leisure. 5. To support people to improve their health and wellbeing by working in partnership with a range of other agencies, community groups and primary health services. 6. To develop strong partnership links with the full range of external agencies and professionals to ensure that service users can access additional care and support to meet their individual health and social care needs (including assistive technology, aids and adaptations). 7. To promote social inclusion and community connections by ensuring service users have access to advice and information regarding the full range of neighbourhood and community resources available including transport, recreational, cultural and universal services. 8. To facilitate service users access to activities and opportunities that promote their active participation in community life and strengthen their relationships with others and their social networks. 9. To provide an inclusive and non-discriminatory service that meets the cultural and other needs of service users with diverse needs and backgrounds. 10. To work positively with Black and Minority Ethnic Groups (BME) and the Voluntary and Community Faith Sectors to ensure service delivery which is appropriate to individual needs and encourages strong links with relevant community groups 11. To encourage service users to take responsibility for their own lives and access support from services such as drug and alcohol teams, mental health and primary health care etc 12. To follow health and safety and lone working guidelines and to alert the Manager immediately of any concerns in relation to health and safety issues. 13. To take appropriate action in the event of incidents, emergencies or crisis situations ensuring that the Safeguarding team and appropriate outside agencies are promptly informed. To ensure that all concerns relating to the safeguarding of vulnerable adults and protection of children are reported in accordance with local authority and agency procedures. 14. To ensure that comprehensive and up to date accurate records are maintained in accordance with agency standards. Page 3 of 7
15. To help individuals develop personal budget plans and to ensure that all financial transactions are promptly and accurately recorded. 16. To support service users to access welfare benefit advice which enables them to fulfil their financial rights and responsibilities as tenants and citizens of their local community 17. To enable people to retain existing skills and independence and to gain new skills through outcome focused support, the development of skills and pathways into relevant agencies such as Job Centre Plus, Employment Placement Workers, Employment Support Workers and Supported Employment Schemes. 18. To maintain a high standard of customer care and to encourage feedback from service users and other agencies. To promptly report and document all complaints, suggestions and feedback. 19. To contribute to service users reviews, through the provision of verbal and written reports and by attending Support Planning and Review Meetings. 20. To work within agreed risk management guidelines and to assist service users in reducing risks to themselves or others whilst maintaining a positive approach to risk taking. To promptly report all concerns regarding risks to senior staff, the Duty Manager/On Call Manager and relevant agencies. Other 21. To provide regular verbal and written feedback to the line manager. 22. To accept regular support and supervision from the line manager. 23. To carry out all work in a manner consistent with the aims of the project and the service principles adopted by Creative Support. 24. To comply with and implement current Equal Opportunities Policy agreed by Creative Support. 25. To maintain confidentiality at all times, in accordance with the agreed policy. 26. To maintain effective written records, data entry and collate monitoring information in line with contract requirements. 27. To identify training needs in discussion with the line manager and to attend training events and courses as required. 28. To observe any written policies, procedures and guidelines for good practice agreed by Creative Support. 29. All employees should be aware that there is a requirement to support service users with daily living skills and individual activities which will include moving and handling and may involve supporting people with personal care needs 30. Any other duties required. Page 4 of 7
JOB DESCRIPTION SOCIAL INCLUSION AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT WORKER QUALITIES REQUIRED How Assessed Essential / Desirable 1 Ability to assess needs and devise appropriate support plans in Application, Essential liaison with service users and other agencies & Exercise 2 Good verbal communication skills and ability to listen sensitively to Essential others 3 Good written communication skills, with an ability to contribute to a Application, Essential record keeping system to an acceptable standard 4 Ability to work positively as part of a team, to facilitate groups and Essential positive relationships between individuals 5 A good understanding of the needs of individuals with support needs Application, Essential including, mental health needs, learning disability, older people and risk issues 6 Ability to provide non-judgemental emotional and practical support Application Essential to service users and to gain their trust 7 A common sense approach to problem solving Application, Essential 8 Ability to liaise in a professional manner with other agencies Application, Essential 9 An understanding of the aims and principles of Creative Support Essential 10 Understanding of Equal Opportunities Essential 11 Commitment to consulting with service users and responding to Application, Essential their views 12 Ability to work safely and effectively with service users without Application, Essential direct supervision 13 Experience of working with people with support needs including Application Essential mental health issues, homelessness, drug / alcohol issues, learning disability, older people etc. 14 Experience of providing tenancy related support Application Desirable 15 Experience of working as a member of a team Application, Desirable 16 Experience of liaising with other agencies and professionals Application, Desirable 17 A warm, respectful and person centred approach to working with Essential service users and their families 18 Willingness to work flexible hours according to needs of the service Essential 19 Willingness to attend training courses and events Essential 20 Willing to participate in regular supervision with line manager Essential 21 A clean driving license and ownership of a car or willingness to acquire a car and willingness to use the car for business purposes Application & Desirable Page 5 of 7
TERMS AND CONDITIONS SOCIAL INCLUSION AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT WORKER Salary: Up to 17,456 per annum dependent on experience, qualifications and current salary: Point One - Point Two - Point Three - Point Four - 15,919 per annum 16,344 per annum 16,844 per annum 17,456 per annum Applicants who can provide documentary evidence of their current wage being higher than the above pay scale may be entitled to commence on a higher scale point. (Please note that this condition applies only to previous employment of a fully contractual nature which is relevant to the position under offer). Bonus: An enhancement is paid for working at Christmas and New Year. We do not pay enhancements for working evenings, weekends or any other public holiday. Employees will be awarded a one off bonus payment of 100.00 (pro-rata for employees who are contracted to work less than 18 hours per week) once they have successfully completed their probationary period which is subject to the following: Attendance is satisfactory End Probationary Review is satisfactory Induction Checklist is complete Line Managers recommendation Health and Social Care Diploma: All employees will be required to undertake and complete the Health and Social Care Diploma programme as a condition of their employment unless they hold a higher equivalent. Disclosure Checks: All appointments will be subject to DBS enhanced disclosure and ISA checks. Hours of Work: Full time hours are 37.5 per week. To be worked flexibly on a rota which will include evenings, weekends and public holidays according to the needs of the service. Probationary Period: The first six months will constitute a probationary period. When this is successfully completed, employment will be confirmed. You will be required to undertake and complete NVQ 2 during your probationary period as a condition of your employment. Holidays: 20 days plus 8 statutory days pro rata. Page 6 of 7
Part Time Work: Please note that annual leave and other entitlements are calculated on a pro-rata basis for employees working less than 37.5 hours. We take a positive view of part-time work and will consider reasonable requests for part time hours for a minimum of 16 hours per week. Sickness Policy: Creative Support operates a discretionary company sick pay benefit scheme which is for the purposes of preventing hardship during times of serious illness. The eligibility criteria and conditions for payment of Company Sick Pay (inclusive of SSP) are shown in the Employee Handbook. You may be eligible for Company Sick Pay benefits subject to compliance with these criteria as follows:- Creative Support do not pay for the first three days of any sickness absence. First six months service - Not eligible for Company Sick Pay though you may be entitled to SSP. Six months to eighteen months service - Up to a maximum of four weeks at full pay. Eighteen months plus service - Up to a maximum of eight weeks at full pay followed by four weeks at half pay. Part time employees who work 18.5 hours or more per week will receive Company Sick Pay benefits as detailed above but pro rata actual hours worked each week. Part time employees who work less than 18 hours per week will be eligible for a maximum of two weeks pro rata hours worked Company Sick Pay benefits per annum after 12 months service. Company Sick Pay benefits may be withdrawn or temporarily suspended where performance or attendance is unsatisfactory. Pension: Creative Support operates an auto-enrolment pension scheme with the People s Pension. Discretionary Benefits: Creative Support offers all staff a range of discretionary benefits in addition to statutory benefits. These include: Paid paternity leave Enhanced maternity leave Compassionate leave Carers leave Employee Counselling Service: All staff, their partners and members of their household have access to an independent confidential, 24 hour telephone counselling service and to legal and financial advice. In addition, up to 6 sessions of face to face counselling can be obtained. This service is delivered by professionally qualified and supervised counsellors and is provided free of charge. Hospital Saturday Fund: All employees have access to a special scheme which enables membership of the Hospital Saturday Fund on preferential rates. There are a choice of packages offering different levels of service. Membership is entirely voluntary. Staff Benefits Scheme: As a member of staff for Creative Support you will be entitled to access a range of on-line benefits for various activities and high street stores. Benefits include discounted prices and two for one offers at Theme Parks, Shops, Restaurants and various on-line stores. Page 7 of 7