Job summary
We are recruiting a Support Worker to support and empower
our fabulous young people, in partnership with their families and colleagues.
It will be your job to support our young people to make their own decisions and
reach their full potential in an excellent educational and residential setting.
You will be required to support our young people in a personalised way and respond
to their needs, wishes and aspirations. You will also be part of supporting the
delivery of high-quality education, care, health and therapy.
Depending on the term time shift pattern you are applying
for, you may be assisting our young people with getting up and ready in the
morning for the day ahead, then supporting during classes before escorting them
back to their place of residence on campus.
InFocus will support you every step of the way by providing
an excellent, well designed induction programme along with mandatory training
which will help you get off to the best possible start, by ensuring that you
fully understand your role and the part you play in the wider
organisation. We offer many
opportunities for personal development.
We are looking for someone with passion and commitment, who
sees the potential in everyone and enjoys helping people to reach their goals.
You will be working as part of a close team of staff led by a Team Leader who
will provide supervision and support.
Main duties of the job
To work closely
within the multi-disciplinary team to support the delivery of high standards of
care and promote the health and wellbeing of the young person with other
disciplines
To support young
people with a range of communication needs allowing them to access learning and
make choices, this may include use of access technology, Braille and other
communication methods
To work in
collaboration with other members of the team, to implement and evaluate the
standards of health, therapy and social care services across campus, and
promote the health and wellbeing of the young people
To ensure that
Care Plans are produced and implemented in line with the requirements of
InFocus and understand and fully familiarise oneself with care and support
plans, reading them regularly and acknowledging changes
To assist with
personal care including washing, personal hygiene, dressing and assisting at
meal times, always using a person-centred approach while encouraging independence
To maintain good
communication and develop effective working relationships with the young
people, actively talking and listening to them about their interests
To support the
young people through transition by working in partnership with the
parents/carers; community services and other professionals.
To maintain and
work to Child Protection (CP) and Safeguarding of Vulnerable Adults (SOVA)
policies
About us
Welcome to InFocus, a charity dedicated to supporting young
people with vision impairment and complex needs. Based in Exeter, in the
beautiful southwest of England, we offer a range of education, care, therapy,
and support services for those who need them most.
Our services cater to young people with all levels of vision
impairment, multi-sensory impairment, and a wide range of complex needs.
Our services include:
A specialist day and residential college (16-25)
A Residential Care Centre at St Davids House
providing a full and active life for young adults needing nursing or social
care.
Adult Day Care Services, Jigsaw, allowing adults
to enjoy activities and social contact with the full support of trained staff,
five days a week
Supported Living houses offering independence
with just the right amount of support in four different properties on the edge
of Exeter
Supported internships, work placements and work
opportunities
Education and community outreach
Our vision and mission
Our vision is a world where young people with visual
impairment and additional needs are able to take their place in society, where
they are valued for their contribution and their rights and independence are
supported.
Our mission is to empower children, young people and adults
with vision impairment and additional needs to live fulfilling young and adult
lives.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Main purpose of the job
- To promote independence by placing the young
people at the centre of a programme of care and development and actively
including them in decision making and planning
- To actively promote inclusion and participation
within the local community.
- To look after the physical, emotional, cultural
and social needs of the young people using a person-centred approach
- To observe and promote the young persons
choice, independence, dignity, privacy, fulfilment and other rights
- To adhere to all regulatory and statutory
obligations and InFocus policies, procedures and guidelines
- To contribute to the delivery of high-quality
education, health, therapy and social care at InFocus
- To contribute towards the delivery of high-quality
individual care for the young person
- To work with the young people in a
person-centred way by listening and responding to their wishes and aspirations
by involving the young people, their family and friends to work in partnership
and the InFocus to achieve this
Duties and responsibilities
- To work closely
within the multi-disciplinary team to support the delivery of high standards of
care and promote the health and wellbeing of the young person with other
disciplines
- To support young
people with a range of communication needs allowing them to access learning and
make choices, this may include use of access technology, Braille and other
communication methods
- To work in
collaboration with other members of the team, to implement and evaluate the
standards of health, therapy and social care services across campus, and
promote the health and wellbeing of the young people
- To ensure that
Care Plans are produced and implemented in line with the requirements of
InFocus and understand and fully familiarise oneself with care and support
plans, reading them regularly and acknowledging changes
- To assist with
personal care including washing, personal hygiene, dressing and assisting at
meal times, always using a person-centred approach while encouraging independence
- To use manual
handling equipment correctly and safely
- To maintain good
communication and develop effective working relationships with the young
people, actively talking and listening to them about their interests
- To support the
young people through transition by working in partnership with the
parents/carers; community services and other professionals.
- To mentor and
support colleagues as appropriate
- To complete
Induction Standards within 6 weeks
- To work shifts, sleep ins, attend
meetings and training as required.
- To maintain and
work to Child Protection (CP) and Safeguarding of Vulnerable Adults (SOVA)
policies
Safeguarding
- To recognise the signs of abuse
and immediately report abuse or suspected abuse to the
Safeguarding Team and record on the InFocus IT system
- To protect the confidentiality of all
information relating to the young people and not divulge information to anyone
who is not authorised to receive it
- To work within InFocuss
intervention policies to ensure the safety of staff and young people is
maintained
- To accurately record and assess
incidents and accidents on InFocuss IT systems
- To record detailed and accurate records of daily
activities, progress made by young people, care and support given and tasks
undertaken
- To actively support the young people who are
unwell by monitoring their condition, observing and recording on IT systems and
notifying relevant staff
- To utilise a range of InFocus IT systems and
regularly check electronic communications to keep abreast of changes and
respond to requests
- To be responsible for updating and maintaining
InFocuss IT systems to ensure that care plans, protocols and risk assessments
are produced and implemented for all young people; within agreed standards
- To ensure young people are safe and that any
safeguarding issues are accurately recognised, reported and recorded in line
with our policies and procedures
Responsibilities of all
InFocus staff
To contribute fully to the InFocus community by:
- Taking responsibility to be a reflective
practitioner
- Taking part in personal professional development
- Working within and encouraging the
implementation of our Equal Opportunity Policy
- Working within our confidentiality policy
- Promoting the safeguarding of children and
adults at risk
- Carrying out the duties and responsibilities of
the post in accordance with our Health and Safety policies, guidance and
legislation
- Using information technology systems as required
to carry out the duties of the post in the most effective and efficient manner
- Undertaking any other duties as directed by the
Chief Executive that may be reasonably required
Job description
Job responsibilities
Main purpose of the job
- To promote independence by placing the young
people at the centre of a programme of care and development and actively
including them in decision making and planning
- To actively promote inclusion and participation
within the local community.
- To look after the physical, emotional, cultural
and social needs of the young people using a person-centred approach
- To observe and promote the young persons
choice, independence, dignity, privacy, fulfilment and other rights
- To adhere to all regulatory and statutory
obligations and InFocus policies, procedures and guidelines
- To contribute to the delivery of high-quality
education, health, therapy and social care at InFocus
- To contribute towards the delivery of high-quality
individual care for the young person
- To work with the young people in a
person-centred way by listening and responding to their wishes and aspirations
by involving the young people, their family and friends to work in partnership
and the InFocus to achieve this
Duties and responsibilities
- To work closely
within the multi-disciplinary team to support the delivery of high standards of
care and promote the health and wellbeing of the young person with other
disciplines
- To support young
people with a range of communication needs allowing them to access learning and
make choices, this may include use of access technology, Braille and other
communication methods
- To work in
collaboration with other members of the team, to implement and evaluate the
standards of health, therapy and social care services across campus, and
promote the health and wellbeing of the young people
- To ensure that
Care Plans are produced and implemented in line with the requirements of
InFocus and understand and fully familiarise oneself with care and support
plans, reading them regularly and acknowledging changes
- To assist with
personal care including washing, personal hygiene, dressing and assisting at
meal times, always using a person-centred approach while encouraging independence
- To use manual
handling equipment correctly and safely
- To maintain good
communication and develop effective working relationships with the young
people, actively talking and listening to them about their interests
- To support the
young people through transition by working in partnership with the
parents/carers; community services and other professionals.
- To mentor and
support colleagues as appropriate
- To complete
Induction Standards within 6 weeks
- To work shifts, sleep ins, attend
meetings and training as required.
- To maintain and
work to Child Protection (CP) and Safeguarding of Vulnerable Adults (SOVA)
policies
Safeguarding
- To recognise the signs of abuse
and immediately report abuse or suspected abuse to the
Safeguarding Team and record on the InFocus IT system
- To protect the confidentiality of all
information relating to the young people and not divulge information to anyone
who is not authorised to receive it
- To work within InFocuss
intervention policies to ensure the safety of staff and young people is
maintained
- To accurately record and assess
incidents and accidents on InFocuss IT systems
- To record detailed and accurate records of daily
activities, progress made by young people, care and support given and tasks
undertaken
- To actively support the young people who are
unwell by monitoring their condition, observing and recording on IT systems and
notifying relevant staff
- To utilise a range of InFocus IT systems and
regularly check electronic communications to keep abreast of changes and
respond to requests
- To be responsible for updating and maintaining
InFocuss IT systems to ensure that care plans, protocols and risk assessments
are produced and implemented for all young people; within agreed standards
- To ensure young people are safe and that any
safeguarding issues are accurately recognised, reported and recorded in line
with our policies and procedures
Responsibilities of all
InFocus staff
To contribute fully to the InFocus community by:
- Taking responsibility to be a reflective
practitioner
- Taking part in personal professional development
- Working within and encouraging the
implementation of our Equal Opportunity Policy
- Working within our confidentiality policy
- Promoting the safeguarding of children and
adults at risk
- Carrying out the duties and responsibilities of
the post in accordance with our Health and Safety policies, guidance and
legislation
- Using information technology systems as required
to carry out the duties of the post in the most effective and efficient manner
- Undertaking any other duties as directed by the
Chief Executive that may be reasonably required
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- A good understanding of Child and Adult Protection and Safeguarding issues
- Experience of using IT systems and electronic record keeping
- To have the ability to work in collaboration with and respect the contributions of colleagues and others
Desirable
- Knowledge and experience of working with children and adults with learning disabilities & complex need in an education/residential care setting.
- Experience of working with vision impairment
- Experience of making use of a range of communication tools
- To work sleep ins
Skills and Ability
Essential
- Ability to handle confidential and sensitive issues in an appropriate manner
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Ability to work unsupervised
- Ability to demonstrate attention to detail and accuracy
- Problem solving, able to make sound judgements and recommendations
- Good organisational skills
- To be able to work with guidance and support
- Physically able to support young people, assisting with swimming, manual handling
- Able to apply learning, i.e. using intervention techniques safely
- Providing personal care in a manner which maintains dignity
- Able to represent the Organisation positively at all times
- To work shifts, to attend meetings and training as required
- High level of tact, diplomacy and initiative
- A willing, flexible attitude being enthusiastic and self-motivated.
Qualifications
Essential
- Numeracy and literacy skills
Desirable
- NVQ Level 3 qualification in Health and Social Care (or equivalent social care qualification).
- Braille level 1 or 2
- GCE, GSCE Maths and English or equivalent
- Valid First aid certificate
- Intervenor qualified
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- A good understanding of Child and Adult Protection and Safeguarding issues
- Experience of using IT systems and electronic record keeping
- To have the ability to work in collaboration with and respect the contributions of colleagues and others
Desirable
- Knowledge and experience of working with children and adults with learning disabilities & complex need in an education/residential care setting.
- Experience of working with vision impairment
- Experience of making use of a range of communication tools
- To work sleep ins
Skills and Ability
Essential
- Ability to handle confidential and sensitive issues in an appropriate manner
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Ability to work unsupervised
- Ability to demonstrate attention to detail and accuracy
- Problem solving, able to make sound judgements and recommendations
- Good organisational skills
- To be able to work with guidance and support
- Physically able to support young people, assisting with swimming, manual handling
- Able to apply learning, i.e. using intervention techniques safely
- Providing personal care in a manner which maintains dignity
- Able to represent the Organisation positively at all times
- To work shifts, to attend meetings and training as required
- High level of tact, diplomacy and initiative
- A willing, flexible attitude being enthusiastic and self-motivated.
Qualifications
Essential
- Numeracy and literacy skills
Desirable
- NVQ Level 3 qualification in Health and Social Care (or equivalent social care qualification).
- Braille level 1 or 2
- GCE, GSCE Maths and English or equivalent
- Valid First aid certificate
- Intervenor qualified
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
