JOB DESCRIPTION

Title:Support Worker

Department: Inspire Mental Health

Reports t0: Scheme Manager

Main function:To assist the team in providing the highest possible standard of support to Service Users by actively promoting and implementing Recovery by using a strengths based person centred approach.

Please note that sections A to G are relevant to ALL Support Worker positions within Inspire. Section H details additional duties relevant to specific Support Worker roles.

Main Duties and Responsibilities are to;

  1. Customer & Client Focus
  1. Develop and maintain a trusting and professional relationship with Service Users and act in a supportive and empathetic manner towards them.
  2. Contribute towards a harmonious and therapeutic environment.
  3. Support Service Users to manage their physical health, mental health and wellbeing through the development and implementation of an individual support plan.
  4. Involve Service Users in all aspects of decision making and be sensitive to difficulties encountered by Service Users.
  5. Deliver care and support within the context of asocial inclusion and recovery approachwhich is designed to work with people to find and maintain hope, re-establish a positive identity, build a meaningful life and take responsibility and control.
  6. Provide care and support by motivating and mentoring Service Users in the following areas:
  7. Liaise with external agencies as required;
  • For Housing related services the emphasis is on setting up and maintaining tenancies/licence to occupy.
  • For other Support Worker roles the emphasis may be on signposting or referral to other relevant agencies.
  • Housekeeping duties as required eg. Domestic/cleaning skills, meal preparation, shopping and budgeting.
  • Maintain contacts and appointments in the community using own transport, where relevant.
  • Maintain standards of hygiene and support in relation to infection control.
  • Assist in planning, organising and participating in individual or group outreach activities both within the Scheme and in the community, including holidays and outings and accompanying Service Users as required.
  • Offer advice and support for personal safety and security.
  • Promote positive health choices and healthy life styles.
  • Actively promote Service User involvement.
  • Work towards reducing the stigma experienced by those with mental health needs.
  • Advocate for Service Users as required.
  1. Be flexible and work such hours to meet the needs of the Scheme as are required for the post.
  2. Travel to, and work at, other Inspire Mental Health locations as required
  3. To ensure that the scheme meets the highest standards in relation to hygiene and cleanliness.
  1. Communicating Effectively
  1. Maintain clear, accurate, timely and complete written records / documentation.
  2. Liaise with colleagues and Managers to report and record progress or difficulties, and in particular any issues of concern, unusual behaviour or deterioration in health and ensure compliance with Incident Reporting procedures as required.
  1. Inform Statutory Workers and/or significant others on pertinent matters in a timely & professional manner.
  2. General administration and/or communication as required for example; sending emails, completing computerised reports, answering / making telephone calls.
  3. Demonstrate effective listening skills and understanding when engaged by others, having chosen the most appropriate method and forum of communication.
  4. Attend, and actively participate in,handovers andteam meetings.
  1. Team and Partnership Working
  1. Be an integral member of, and work in close co-operation with, all members of the Inspire Mental Health Support team and representatives of relevant statutory, voluntary and regulatory bodies to achieve standards set by them.
  2. Demonstrate an understanding of the critical role of internal and external relationships and recognise and respect the expertise and contribution of others.
  3. Proactively share relevant knowledge and skills across the team.
  4. Fulfil the role of Co-Key Worker as per the duties outlined in section A. Customer & Client Focus.
  5. Proactively seek out opportunities to reach out to the community for the benefit of Service Users.

6. Project a positive image and reputation of Inspire in your dealings with others and ensure, by your actions, the on-going confidence of the public.

  1. Personal Development, Performance, Professionalism
  1. Demonstrate a willingness to learn and implement new skills and knowledge to competently fulfil the requirements of the post.
  2. Take ownership of your continuous personal development to maximise your potential and contribution, including maintaining your supervision file, Individual Development Plan/Performance Improvement Plan and completed training records/records of evidence.
  3. Work with your Line Manager to identify personal strengths and areas for development and set clear and challenging operational, developmental objectives and performance indicators as part of the Performance Management System.
  4. Applying your best endeavours to achieve your agreed operational & developmental objectives.
  5. Undertake, and participate positively in, essential and appropriate training (internal and external) as scheduled.
  6. Participate in, and contribute positively to, supervision and performance management reviews with your Line Manager in an open and receptive manner.
  7. Be open to giving and receiving feedback.
  8. Understand and use appropriate computer systems and programmes as required.
  9. Conduct yourself in a professional, caring, respectful, helpful & courteous manner at all times.
  10. Maintain the highest levels of confidentiality at all times, both during and after employment.
  11. Register with the Northern Ireland Social Care Council (NISCC) as a social care worker and maintain Post Registration and Learning (PTRL) requirements.

E.Continuous Improvement & Results Delivery

  1. Demonstrate initiative, innovation and contribution to the climate of continuous improvement (eg. self, systems, practices, processes, service delivery, efficiencies).
  2. Contribute effectively to a cost conscious and value for money culture.
  3. Suggest and present ideas for improvement and be actively involved in their implementation.
  4. Plan and organise own work to achieve results that are aligned with personal objectives.
  5. Demonstrate the highest standards of commitment, personal accountability & conscientiousness.
  6. Seek and give help as required to achieve objectives/overcome barriers.
  7. Manage your own time effectively to achieve deadlines.

F.Strategic Focus

  1. Be aware of, and understand, Inspire and Inspire Mental Health’s strategic objectives and how your role and personal objectives contribute to their achievement.

G.Internal Policies & Procedures

1.Ensure that all relevant policies and procedures, as outlined in Inspire and/or Inspire Mental Health manuals, are read, understood and adhered to at all times, to include;

  • Induction Manual
/
  • Inspire Mental Health Policies & Procedures Manual
/
  • Financial Procedures Manual

  • Staff Handbook
/
  • Health & Safety Manual
/
  • Scheme specific reference documents.

  1. In particular you are required to adhere to the principles of Inspire’s Equal Opportunities Policy throughout the course of your employment.

H.Additional Duties and/or Special Responsibilities

H1.Support Worker (Floating Support) – with appropriate support from line management

  • To fulfil the role of a key-worker.
  • Work on your own initiative and manage your own case load without direct daily supervision.
  • Register with the Northern Ireland Social Care Council (NISCC) as a social care worker and maintain Post Registration Training Learning (PRTL) requirements.

H2. Support Worker (Day Support)

  • Register with the Northern Ireland Social Care Council (NISCC) as a social care worker and maintain Post Registration Training Learning (PRTL) requirements.

H3. Support Worker (Supported Housing)

  • Register with the Northern Ireland Social Care Council (NISCC) as a social care worker and maintain Post Registration Training Learning (PRTL) requirements.
  • Support Service Users to adjust to living in Supported Housing.
  • Complete Housing management Support Tasks as required
  • Ensure the safety and security of Service Users during the night time hours
  • Administer medication to Service Users at night if required
  • Ensure all buildings are secure by ensuring doors and windows are locked and fire doors closed.
  • The rotawill be worked as agreed and will include day cover, nightshift, late night, evening and weekend work.

I. Health & Safety

  • Take care of your own health and safety and that of people who may be affected by what you do (or do not do)
  • Co-operate with others on health and safety, and not interfere with, or misuse, anything provided for your health, safety or welfare.
  • Follow the training you have received when using any work items your employer has given you.

This job description is neither exhaustive nor exclusive and may be reviewed and amended in the future to include any other reasonable duties, projects or tasks as may be requested by management from time to time and to all buildings are secure reflect changing organisational requirements, changing staffing levels, etc.

Last reviewed: April 2017