Hoffmann Foundation for Autism

September 2015

Hoffmann Foundation for Autism

Support Worker

Job Title:Support Worker

Responsible to:Service Manager

Hours:38 hours per week

Salary:From £8.00 per hour

Based at:Various

______

Job Summary

To work as part of a team to support adults with Autism Spectrum Condition to reach their full potential both at home and in the community and provide support with personal care, as appropriate.

Service User Care & Development

1. To participate in the planning, implementation, monitoring and review of personal development plans & person centred plans, taking account of the needs of the individual
   
2. To work as part of a team formulating service user plans and be a member of a key working team
   
3. To participate in the writing service user risk assessments both at home and in the community
   
4. To help organise and plan reviews and attend meetings as a representative of HFA, ensuring adherence to professional standards
   
5. To ensure that the service meets the cultural needs of the individual user
   
6. To actively encourage service users to have contact with family and friends, where appropriate
   
7. To accompany service users in community activities, including holidays
   
8. To support service users in the management of their own personal care

1. To encourage service users to handle and plan preparation/consumption of meals and snacks and to implement strategies to manage excessive eating

1. To actively encourage service users to participate in independent living activities in line with their service user plan
   
2. To work with the psychology team to support service users in managing challenging behaviour

1. To report immediately to a line manager any incident, suspicion or sign of physical, verbal, mental, sexual or financial abuse of a service user

Record Keeping

1. To maintain all service users’ records in line with organisation policies
   
2. To ensure all records are completed as required including H&S checks, risk assessments, accidents/incidents etc.

Financial Responsibilities

1. To account for any petty cash transactions undertaken

1. To support service users with their day to day financial matters

Organisational Participation

1. To undertake domestic duties as appropriate including cleaning, cooking and shopping
   
2. To undertake shift leading after relevant training
   
3. To attend and contribute to staff meetings, workshops, training courses, conferences and seminars as and when appropriate
   
4. To attend regular supervision meetings with line manager
   
5. To undertake, on a rota basis, sleeping-in duties if required

1. To undertake any other reasonable duties required by the Service Manager
   

Policy & Procedure

1. To understand and observe the need for confidentiality
   
2. To act at all times in accordance with Hoffmann Foundation for Autism policies and procedures, especially equal opportunities & diversity, confidentiality and health and safety
   

______

Person Specification

Skills and Qualities

Ability to communicate clearly and effectively in verbal and written forms

Able to make a positive contribution to team-working

Patience, warmth and understanding

Empathetic understanding of people with learning disabilities/autism

Ability to view situations objectively and manage conflict

Ability to organise your own time

Ability to manage difficult and challenging behaviour

Ability to manage personal stress

Experience and Qualifications

Preferably 1 year’s experience of working with this service user group

Preferably NVQ Level 2 (or higher) or working towards it

Basic education to GCSE or equivalent

Clean driver’s licence (desirable)

Knowledge and Understanding

Understanding of autism and learning disabilities

Knowledge of Care Standards Act 2000

Understanding of the key working system

Page 1 of 3