HOHEPA HAWKES BAY

JOB DESCRIPTION

POSITION TITLE:Curative Education Support Worker:

Children’s Community

NATURE OF POSITION:Full Time

LOCATION: PoraitiChildren’s Community

RESPONSIBLE TO:School Principal and Residential Manager (Children’s

Community): when at work you are supervised by a

classroom teacher or House Manager/senior staff

FUNCTIONALOther Teachers, House Managers and support staff;

RELATIONSHIP TO:Therapists; members of Property Services, Admin and Leadership teams; external professionals (health, education, behaviour support); families and advocates of children

RESPONSIBLE FOR:Support, development and enablement of intellectually

disabled children in residential and educational settings

SCOPE OF RESPONSIBILITIES:

Hohepa Hawkes Bay provides 24 hour / 7 days a week care and support for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, based on Anthroposophical Principles, Social Therapy and Curative Education (Dr. Rudolf Steiner). Support workers are required to accept and respect this basis, and to apply appropriate practices in their work sphere.

A key role of the Curative Education Support Worker is to be a role model for other staff members and mentor them in Rudolf Steiner principles and practices, including curative education and anthroposophy. All support staff work to create a warm home-like environment in the house, in which children/young people can feel secure, nurtured, supported and enabled to reach their potential; and support the education of young people in the school, working under the direction of Teachers.

Support Workers live and work alongside the residents in their care, in a situation that is more a way of life than a 'job' in the usual sense. The Curative Education Support Worker will participate in or assist with other Hohepa community activities, especially festivals and Sunday Services where possible.

KEY TASKS & RESPONSIBILITIES:

1Supporting service users to develop their independence and capacity to participate in their personal care, the Hohepa community and the community beyond Hohepa.

  1. Supporting and valuing service users’ capacity to make choices.
  2. Promoting the welfare and interests of all service users.
  3. Being informed about therapy plans and programmes, and supporting the therapy work for service users.

2Provide mentoring and advice for residential and school staff in the principles and practices of curative education.

3Assist with the development and implementation of Individual Development Plans (IDPs) and Individual Education Plans (IEPs) for each service user.

4Participate in the general running and activities of the school and the home, which will involve a wide variety of tasks and duties, working alongside and enabling young people to be as independent as possible.

5Be involved in the greater community life of Hohepa.

  1. Supporting the principles and practices of Hohepa.
  2. Participating in festivals and events as part of community life.

6Maintain own personal development and training.

The Curative Education Support Worker’s duties include the following; this is not an exhaustive list and you may be required to carry out any other responsibilities involved in supporting the education and development of service users, and running the home:

1.Supporting Service Users at home and school

a.Support service users in accordance with the therapeutic principles - Social Therapy and Curative Education - of Rudolf Steiner. This includes attention to personal and hygiene habits, clothing and life skills, and the promotion of healthy social skills and the development of each individual. You will work in a manner that reflects the principles of Best Practice and Duty of Care. [1]

b.Support reviews of service users’ health, meeting (when appropriate) with the Anthroposophic Nurse or other nominated health professional, and ensure that service users receive medication or medical care as prescribed. Records of sickness, accidents or incidents are to be maintained using systems provided for this purpose.

c.Support the service users in all aspects of the school day, in the classroom and in other settings; this will involve a range of crafts and practical lessons (including weaving, spinning, outdoor work such as gardening).

d.Support service users in meal choice and preparation. Assist in the preparation of meals that provide a balanced diet in accordance with the principles of nutrition and nutritional guidelines provided. It is required that you actively encourage participation in meal preparation and choice of meals for all service users. Support students during meal times at school and in the home.

e.Supportservice users in carrying a share of household tasks are carried out adequately, including cleaning, laundry, preparation of breakfast and teas, daily bread-baking, making yogurt, biscuits etc. You will also be required to do household tasks where service users are not able to be part of the process.

f.Support service users in being involved in the community beyond Hohepa by participating in outings,activities, shopping trips as required.

2.Mentor and train Residential and school staff

a.Provide mentoring and coaching for residential staff within a house, many of whom will not have worked in a Rudolf Steiner community and have no connection to anthroposophy, curative education and social therapy.

b.Participate in formal training and development sessions as required, drawing on your skills and experience in curative education and social therapy.

3.Contributing to individual plans for service user development

a.Key Worker role: This means being designated to specifically monitor the needs and care of one service user and ensuring the Individual Development Plan (IDP) goals are kept in focus, as well as providing monthly progress reports etc.

b.Keep all information pertaining to Hohepa Homes and/or service users, that is or may be of a confidential nature, strictly confidential as per the Privacy Act and any amendments. You are to adhere to the Policies and Procedures of Hohepa Hawke’s Bay.

4.Assisting with House and School Operations

a.Assist with the maintenance of the overall appearance and upkeep of the premises, furnishings and appliances, so that Hohepa sites can function effectively and look as beautiful as possible, in keeping with therapeutic principles.

b.Assist with gardening to ensure that gardens and lawns are kept tidy, enhance the environment, and provide suitable recreation space for service user.

c.Work within the agreed rosters and timetables, to assist with the smooth running of the facility.

d.Attend regular staff meetings, to answer questions, discuss and solve problems, and ensure the efficient and harmonious running of the team.

e.Work as part of a team, particularly assisting new team members in building understanding of Hohepa.

f.Consistently comply with Health and Safety procedures; be proactive in identification and effectively dealing with hazards.

5.Being a member of the Hohepa Community

a.Attend meetings essential for effective communication within the community, especially Staff Meetings, Child Studies, Clinics and other information meetings as required.

b.Attend and encourage other Support Workers to take advantage of the artistic activities offered from time to time. These offer refreshment as well as an insight into some of the important features of Curative Education as it is practiced at Hohepa.

c.Participate in Hohepa festivals, and enhance festival celebrations by participating in appropriate seasonal and festive decorations in the school and home.

d.Enhance the cultural life of service users wherever possible: through music, singing, games, drama, artistic and crafts activities, visits to local library, to concerts, and recreational outings.

6.Personal Development

a.Participate in ongoing agreed Training for Support Workers.

b.Participate in and contribute to your own performance appraisal and training and development needs process.

KEY RESPONSIBLITY AREAS

Key Performance Areas: / Key Performance Indicators:
Supports service user: /
  • Maintains a positive and respectful ‘can do’ attitude.
  • Is accredited with First Aid, SPELL, Team Teach and Medication Competency.
  • Is informed and proactive with service users’ wellbeing.
  • Is a good steward of service users and their belongings.
  • Provides relevant care and support as outlined in the Job Description.

Planning: /
  • Demonstrates an understanding of the development, support needs and interests of the service user.
  • Contributes in an informed way at all required planning meetings and reviews of Individual Development Plans (IDP).
  • Co-achieves objectives set in the service user’s plans.
  • Provides clear and meaningful progress reports on-time.

House Operations: /
  • Effectively carries out duties set out in the job description.
  • Has an effective working relationship with all parties. Effectively supports colleagues and provides cover as required.
  • Shows initiative by identifying and completing tasks without instruction.
  • Provides reports on-time and to an agreed quality

Hohepa Community Membership: /
  • Demonstrates support for and embraces the Social Therapy principles of Hohepa.
  • Participates in special events and learning opportunities provided to increase understanding of the special character, social therapy and curative educational aspects of Hohepa.

Personal Development Goals: /
  • Takes opportunities for training and development available.
  • Demonstrates transfer of learning back into the workplace.
  • Demonstrates commitment to own development.
  • Learns about meaningful self reflection.

Personal Effectiveness: /
  • Effective communication and consultation to all parties.
  • Demonstrates initiative.
  • Seeks opportunities for continuous improvement.
  • Demonstrates responsibility at all times.
  • Is compliance oriented.
  • Maintains confidentiality and trust in all matters pertaining to this position.

GENERAL
Key Performance Areas: Key Performance Indicators:
Policies & Procedures: /
  • Constantly complies and can demonstrate best practice

Health & Safety: /
  • Consistently complies with procedures and is proactive in identification and effectively dealing with hazards

PERSON SPECIFICATION

The following skills, attributes and qualities are required for successful performance in this role:

Experience

  • Experience of working with people with an intellectual disability and/or autism spectrum disorder issues, or similar
  • Background/experience from a community based on the principles of Dr Rudolf Steiner (eg Steiner school, Camphill community) is essential; relevant experience of at least one year would meet this requirement
  • Experience of working with students with special learning needs, and supporting people with challenging behaviour
  • Some knowledge and experience of crafts (eg spinning, weaving) and practical work (such as gardening, outdoors work)

Qualifications and Training

  • Ideally will hold a qualification relevant to the work (eg in health, disability, psychology, education, childcare) at Level 4 or above
  • Holds a current First Aid Certificate, or willingness to undertake training and complete the course successfully within the first 3 months of employment
  • Knowledge and training in behaviour management and positive behaviour support
  • Willingness to develop self and undertake further training relevant to the role

Communication

  • Ability to communicate clearly and appropriately, through body language, verbally and in writing, adjusting style to suit the needs of the other person

Team Player

  • Contributes as a member of the team, through working in a supportive and flexible way
  • Resolves differences by seeking mutually agreeable solutions

Ethical

  • Conducts all work with integrity, complies with legal and policy requirements
  • Treats others with respect
  • Trustworthy in using confidential or sensitive information
  • Demonstrates high standards of behaviourand integrity; is a role model for both co-workers and service users

Personal qualities

  • Demonstrates interest in and respect for the educational and therapeutic principles indicated by Rudolf Steiner, on which the work at Hohepa is based
  • In good health, and able to meet the physical demands of the role: this includes manual work (eg cleaning), providing support for service users (eg helping them with personal care, dressing etc), lifting (of people and objects); in the children’s community the role can include keeping up with active and fast young people!
  • Willingness to declare any existing criminal or psychiatric record, driving convictions, any medications etc: also willing to disclose any further issues during employment
  • Must be able to demonstrate reliability and ability to attend work consistently
  • Must be able to attend work free of any adverse effects of alcohol or drugs (including illegal drugs and similar substances) – in accordance with the Hohepa Drugs and Alcohol Policy

General Conditions of Employment

This is a waged position; you are required to complete electronic time sheets to confirm the hours worked. Payment is made fortnightly, by direct credit to a bank account.

If you are offered the position your appointment will be subject to a 90-day Trial Period to assess and confirm your suitability for the position. During the trial period employment may be terminated with one week’s notice. You may not bring a personal grievance or other legal proceedings in respect of a dismissal made due to you being assessed as unsuitable for employment during the trial period. A Performance Review will take place at the end of the trial period.(Performance Reviews will be an ongoing integral part of your employment).

Any offer of employment will be subject to a satisfactory Police Clearance. Hohepa takes up a police vetting report on all employees at the start of employment and then every two years. If you have convictions this does not mean we will not employ you; we would discuss the circumstances with you. It is important that you answer questions about convictions on the application form honestly; all information will be treated in confidence.

You must have the right to work in New Zealand, and will be asked to provide documentary proof (eg through a birth certificate or passport) if an offer of employment is made.

Smoking, Drugs and Alcohol:

Hohepa is a fully non-smoking environment, and if you accept employment with us you guarantee that you will not smoke (even during break times) during work hours.

This is a safety-sensitive role. You must agree to attend work free of any adverse effects of alcohol or drugs (including illegal drugs and similar substances); the way this is assessed is that a drug test would be negative. You must consent to pre-employment testing, then random testing if you are employed.

Hours of work:

Monday to Sunday: 5 days on, 2 days off. Full time employment is 33 hours per week; overtime is available but not guaranteed.

January 2016

[1] ‘Best Practice’ is described as a superior method or innovative practice that contributes to the improved performance of an organisation.

‘Duty of Care’ is defined as a legal obligation requiring you to adhere to a standard of reasonable care while performing your duties as a Residential Support Worker.