Job Title: / Relief (Locum) Support Worker / Job Holder: / Vacant
Reports To: / Role reporting to Team Leader / Location: / Monastery road, Carlow
Region: / Midwest region / Date of Job Description: / May 2018
1. PURPOSE OF THE JOB
ThepurposeofthepostistoassisttheService to provide safe secure accommodation and support to homeless men. To provide cover for the staff team, providing an efficient and high quality service to clients.
2. ENVIRONMENT OF THE JOB
The SVP is a large, national, voluntary organisation with extensive experience of working with a diverse range of people who experience poverty and exclusion. Through its network of over 12,000 volunteers and 800 staff, it is strongly committed to working for social justice and advocates the creation of a more just and caring society. SVP employs people to support volunteers in a variety of settings including housing and hostels, community care, shops, administration and other specialist areas.
The Society is Christian based with a strong sense of Gospel values. The founder of the Society, Blessed Frederic Ozanam, was a devout Catholic and his legacy of spirituality remains a key element for volunteer members of the Society and underpins the conduct of conference meetings. It can often therefore be normal practice within the Society that prayers are said at the beginning and end of Conference meetings or at meetings where members are in attendance as this underpins the ethos of the Society. There is no requirement for staff members to actively participate in the saying of prayers but to respect the ethos of the Society and be aware that this practice may occur.
This post holder will be based in the Monastery road Hostel, Carlowprovides emergency accommodation and support to 47 Men in the service.
The service is open 24 hours, 365 days a year and provides supported accommodation, food and therapeutic support services to those out of home, some of whom may have a long history of homelessness. Many service users may have mental health, alcohol/substance misuse issues.
3. GUIDANCE AND AUTHORITY
The job holder will report to the Team Leader. The post-holder may report to the Service Manager or Senior Operations Manager of Homeless Services as may be required from time to time.
The post holder will at all times operate in a professional manner maintaining high quality standard of work, and to always work in accordance with aims, values and ethos of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul.
The post holder will provide cover for full time staff for periods of leave. They will work each shift, informed by and in accordance with house rules and individual care plans. The post holder will be expected to make decisions consistent with those of project workers and as directed by the Manager.
The post holder is expected to operate with considerable autonomy. The nature of matters referred upwards are those:
- Where significant resistance is experienced in the development of good practice and implementation of policy.
- Where practice or proposed practice places stakeholders in a position of risk e.g. a child, a vulnerable adult, members, volunteers, the reputation of the Society.
- Where decision will have a significant impact on the workload of others.
4. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES
ACCOUNTABILITIES / HOW ACHIEVED
1.Practical Needs /
- To ensure the practical need of the service users are met, by providing services such as laundry, accommodation and food (i.e the preparation of breakfast, Lunch and Dinner plus the completion of nightly laundry) . To assist with personal care when required.
2. Security /
- To provide a safe and secure environment for both service users and staff.
- To carry out security inspection both inside and outside the hostel.
- To arrange transport of service users in time of emergency (i.e. medical needs).
- To restrict access to the hostel grounds from unauthorised visitors.
- To ensure the safety of visitors to the hostel at all times.
3. Record Keeping /
- To keep up to date records on all service users.
- To ensure that all reports are correct and completed and that a complete handover is given to oncoming staff.
- To complete reports as required by the Service Manager.
4. Liaison /
- To liaise with all outside agencies on behalf of the service users (i.e. Gardaí, HSE, etc) and the service as required.
- Have the ability to work as part of a team, but also on their own initiative.
5.Crisis Management /
- To have the ability to deal with and resolve difficult situation, when they arise in a calm and professional manner.
6. Health and Safety /
- To carry out all health and safety inspections and fire drills as scheduled.
- To make sure that all health and safety and fire regulations are being adhered to while on shift.
- To be responsible while on shift alone, such as the weekend and at night, for the overall care of both the service users and the building.
7. Policy & Procedure /
- To ensure all policies and procedures are adhered to.
8. To continuallyreassess the operational risks inherent in the business, taking account of changing economic or market conditions, legal and regulatory requirements, operating procedures and practices and any impact of management restructures / new technology. /
- By addressing any areas of concern in conjunction with line management and or the appropriate department / function.
5. CHALLENGES
There are a number of challenges in this role, largely determined by the scale, complexity, voluntary nature and high levels of local autonomy with the Society.
- Acceptance of the dynamic of a complex, national, membership organisation and an understanding of how this both contributes to and constrains the work.
- Influencing others not under direct authority.
The role requires the job holder to deal with sensitive and confidential matters requiring empathy and the ability to deal with changing priorities in a pragmatic and measured manner. At times you will be required to work with residents that may present in a volatile or challenging manner,
You may be required to assist the residents in their personal care duties, and will consequently need to ensure it is done in a respectful and dignified manner.
6. OTHER INFORMATION
In addition to the duties and responsibilities listed above, the job holder may be required from time to time to perform other duties as deemed reasonable and necessary by the employer. The job holder may also be required from time to time to work or attend training/meetings at another location. As much notice as is reasonably practicable will be given of any such change.
The job holder will be required to be available to work weekends & bank holidays.
7. EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS TO UNDERTAKE THE ROLE AT A FULLY ACCEPTABLE LEVEL
EDUCATION
- A good standard of education is essential for this position
- BA in Social Care/NFQ Level 7 or higher is desirable for this position
- FETAC Level 5 (or higher) healthcare qualification or training in health or social care would be a distinct advantage
- To have an understanding of the needs of homeless men.
- Knowledge of legislation relating to Homelessness.
- Knowledge and understanding around addiction and mental health issues.
- At least one-year experience of working in a paid or voluntary capacity in a social care context.
- Experience of a homeless sector service would be a distinct advantage.
- Active listening skills.
- To respond in a warm and compassionate manner while retaining professional boundaries.
- Non-judgmental attitude.
- Ability to work as part of a team and with volunteers.
- The ability to work within professional boundaries.
- Excellent interpersonal communication skills both verbal and written are essential.
- The ability to work on own initiative.
- To have excellent report writing and record keeping skills.
- Proficient IT skills.
- be honest and trustworthy
- be respectful
- possess cultural awareness and sensitivity
- be flexible
- demonstrate sound work ethics
8. MAIN TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Contract Type: / Relief (Locum)Support Worker
Hours: / Variable pending roster needs. Various shift patterns. No set hours.
Salary: / €13.02 per hour
9. STRUCTURE CHART
The information contained in this job description is a true and accurate reflection of the job as at the date specified.
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Job HolderLine Manager