CLOSED: Support Worker / Carer - Gloucester

Support Worker experienced in complex care required in the Gloucester area

The role involves providing complex care and support to our client who was born in 2009 and has cerebral palsy. He drives his wheelchair independently and proficiently. He enjoys an active lifestyle socialising, adapted sport, swimming, the theatre and just being out and about. He uses electronic communication, and gesture/signs. A support worker is required to assist with all activities of daily living, including personal care and to provide him with social and leisure opportunities in the Gloucester area.

HOURS:

Weekend days: 8am – 5pm or 9am – 7pm (up to 6 hours per 4-week period)

School holiday days: 9am – 6pm (up to 4 hours per week)

RATES OF PAY:

£12 – £13.50 per hour dependant on experience

Sleeping night on occasional basis NMW/NLW

MAIN DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

As a support worker, you will assist with our client’s physical and personal needs, including personal hygiene, teeth cleaning, bathing, and dressing/undressing. Assisting him to eat and drink – including the use of his PEG which is generally only used for water and medication
To promote our clients learning and independence both in his home and community
To provide support to enable him to access and participate in social and leisure activities. This may be through providing physical assistance, verbal encouragement and/or instruction, using moving and handling equipment etc.
To be proactive in relation to supporting our client’s communication and in making his wishes understood
In liaison with therapists, the support worker will assist integrating therapeutic activities into our client’s day
Work cooperatively with our client’s parents, the senior support worker, therapists and the case manager, to offer him the best opportunity to fulfil his potential.
Use your own initiative when implementing advice or recommendations from therapists
Provide domestic assistance when needed to ensure that our client maintains a healthy, clean and safe environment, including the cleaning of his equipment
Support our client and his parents with all aspects of care, both within the family home and in the wider community of the Gloucester area

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential

A Moving and Handling Management Plan designed to reduce the risk of handling injuries may require you to bend, kneel, squat or lunge to ensure good posture during handling tasks
Aptitude and desire to work with children and young people
Reliable, trustworthy, a clear communicator and have a good sense of humour
Have a proactive encouraging approach to include developing an appropriate range of activities
Willing to participate in a variety of outdoor activities and be water confident
Basic understanding of the principles of rehabilitation
Demonstrate the ability to carry out/the ability and willingness to learn new skills, to include the use of a standing transfer aid, hoist, PEG management and carrying out therapy programmes
Able to maintain effective working relationships
Responsibility for personal conduct and an ability to work alone, unsupervised and on own initiative when necessary. Well organised and an ability to remain calm and cope in difficult or emergency situations.
Good written skills and the ability to keep adequate written records of care given and own hours worked
Able to practice as a competent support worker and provide evidence to demonstrate this. Able to demonstrate a good understanding of the importance of maintaining confidentiality and to respect our client and their family’s need for privacy.
Confident about working in client’s own home and sensitive to the needs and wishes of his parents
Full clean driving license and able/confident to drive the clients large, adapted vehicle for work purposes
Flexibility to help with our client’s sibling and general running of the household as and when the need arises
Be happy to work within a home where there is a family dog

Desirable

Experience of complex care, working with children/adults with special needs (this is preferred but enthusiasm, patience and willingness to learn is essential)
Qualifications in caring for children/young people with severe disabilities and complex needs
Experience of carrying out therapy programmes
Previous experience of hoisting and using specialist equipment for people with a disability
Basic knowledge of therapies, such as hydrotherapy, Bobath and sensory integration
Experience of carrying out physiotherapy and/or multi-sensory programmes
Experience using AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) and other specialist IT technology
Able to work flexible hours according to the needs of our client

COVID-19 considerations:

Initial telephone screening interviews
Vaccinations are preferable
Government guidelines relating to COVID-19 apply

Satisfactory references and proof of eligibility to work in the UK will also be required. This position requires a disclosure request from the DBS. A conviction will not necessarily prevent you from being employed.

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