JOB DESCRIPTION

Brain Injury Support Worker

Location

Within family home, Cheam Village, Sutton, Greater London

Reporting to

Client’s mother and Case Manager

Background Information

Our client is a sociable young man born in 1989, who has Cerebral Palsy, affecting all four limbs. He has an excellent sense of humour and enjoys the company of others.He is very close to his family who he lives with and has a large, supportive extended family. He is always busy during the week and is rarely at home during the day. He enjoys going to the gym, football and cycling. He also attends several social groups and likes to cook. He enjoys going out in the evening and regularly goes to the pub, although he does not drink alcohol. The role of the Support Worker includes assisting our client with personal care, domestic tasks, transfers as well as helping him to access leisure and learning opportunities.

Job Purpose

  • To support our clientto maximise his independence with all activities of daily living
  • To support the existing care team to maximise the client’s independence.
  • To enable and promote him in pursuing leisure and learning activities.

Main responsibilities

This post will involve....

  • Assisting with all aspects of personal care, including toileting, showering and grooming.
  • Following advice and recommendations on all aspects of client’s care.
  • Liaising with the client’s Mother and Case Manager and communicating any problems and concerns.
  • Workingwithin the family home as well supporting activities in the community.
  • Supporting our client to help him access, participate and enjoy home, education andleisure activities will often involve a physical element. This may be physically assisting or supporting him with some activities, participating in therapy sessions or using specialist equipment to move our client or a combination of any of these. These transfers will require a high level of expertise, competence, confidence and fitness.
  • To assist with general household tasks when required including shopping, cooking, cleaning.
  • On occasions, accompany him on holidays.

The post holder will be required to...

  • Participate in additional training appropriate to the needs of our client.
  • To work effectively as part of a team.
  • To maintain accurate records. This will include making brief notes on all activities carried out with the client.
  • To keep own record of hours worked, i.e., daily/weekly timesheets.
  • To attend team meetings and supervision sessions as required.
  • To provide cover for colleagues during holidays and periods of absence/sickness.

Conduct:

  • All discussions regarding the client and their family are to remain confidential at all times. The ability to respect the privacy of our client and their family is fundamental to this position. As a part of this employment is to occur in the client’s home, it is inevitable that on occasion the Support Worker will become privy to certain matters relating to the personal life and business of our client and their family; these should always be treated with the utmost confidence.
  • Be aware of and follow any Health and Safety policies which minimise risk to both you and the client.
  • To conduct all activities in a professional manner at all times and adhere to the Code of Conduct for Healthcare Support Workers.

Person Specification

  • Previous experience of working with adults with disability is preferable but not essential.
  • Confident about working in the home environment and sensitive to the needs and wishes of his family.
  • Reliable and trustworthy with a responsible attitude.
  • Flexible and able to use own initiative.
  • *Physically fit - Even with specialist equipment in place and appropriate training, it is important that you are physically fit. A Handling Management Plan designed to reduce the risk of handling injuries may require you to bend, kneel, squat or lunge to ensure good posture during handling tasks.
  • Able and willing to undertake training in order to update existing skills and learn new skills.
  • A sense of humour.
  • Proactive and encouraging approach.
  • Patient.
  • A good communicator with the ability to maintain effective working relationships.
  • Good time keeper.
  • Able to demonstrate an understanding of the importance of maintaining confidentiality and to respect the clients and his families need for privacy.
  • Car driver essential (endorsements to be disclosed). Willing and able to travel within the locality using the clients own vehicle(fuel provided).
  • Non Smoker

*The Employer claims exemption under the Equality Act 2010

Job Description – Support Worker – LP November 2014