Post:Family Support Worker

Job Purpose:To develop and deliver social and recreational support for adults with an acquired brain injury (survivors) and for their carers, across the region of the Southern Health and Social Care Trust (SHSCT).

Responsible to:Service Development Manager(SDM)

Hours:22.5 per wk (4 days per week, days to be agreed)

Salary:£14,976 (£9,360) Pro rata

Duration:Temporary for 1 year with potential for extension

Location:Newry

Closing Date:Wednesday 3rd January 2018 at midday

Interview date: Interviews will be held on Tuesday 9th January 2018

General Information:

Head Injury Support is a charity that provides activity and social opportunities; support and advice for adults with acquired brain injuries, their carers and family members.

Head Injury Support Newry (HIS) has been commissioned by the SHSCT to design and deliver social and recreational support programmes for adult survivors of an acquired brain injury and also for their carers across the geographical area of the Southern Trust.

Key Responsibilities:

To connect and link with referred survivors with an acquired brain injury along with their family members to establish their individual needs and their family's carer needs.

To organise, plan, co-ordinate and deliver activities and social support for our survivor groups and carer groups in Dromore, Craigavon, Armagh and Aughnacloy.

Tasks:

  • Carry out home visits to meet with the families carers and survivors across the Trust area including those who attend Head Injury Support’s centre in Newry
  • Research, plan, develop and deliver a continuous programme of arts, crafts and other activity workshops based on service user interests and learning to date, in conjunction with HIS Newry centre’s Art’s and Activities Officer
  • Provide practical assistance and the appropriate level of support and guidance to survivors who attend the groups to promote their engagement in crafts and other activities
  • Research, plan and lead safe groups outings for carers and separate social outings for survivors
  • Maintain records as required including feedback from survivors and carers and liase with the manager to address any areas of focus
  • Support the SDM in the monitoring the programme outcomes and targets
  • Work with the SDM in raising awareness and the profile of the HIS Outreach Service through highlighting good news stories through local media eg. papers and radio

Customer Services

  • Demonstrate through your daily interactions, support and communication with survivors and carers,the values, culture, attitude and ethos of Head Injury Support of respect, dignity, sensitivity and understandingwhich enables people to reach their full potential
  • Provide a friendly, courteous and professional service/approach at all times
  • Assist with maintaining communications with HIS survivors/families and other stakeholders
  • Work as part of a wider team to ensure that the best service possible is provided at all times

Health & Safety

  • Adhere to Head Injury Support’s health and safety policy
  • Comply with HIS’ Health and Safety management systems and carry out any necessary risk assessments (RA) as required and alert others to potential risks and feedback to the SDM

Other Duties

  • Ensure compliance with Head Injury Support’s policies and procedures at all times
  • Undertake training and development deemed necessary to provide effective support including First Aid
  • Maintain all data in a confidential manner in line with Head Injury Support procedures

The above is not an exhaustive list of duties and you will be expected to perform different tasks as the role develops.

Person Specification

Knowledge, experience and qualifications to fulfil this role effectively
Essential
  • Can demonstrate at least 6 months practical experience of providing supportive assistance to adult/s who require additional support to meet their needs
  • Can demonstrate experience of delivering art or craft based group activities to individuals or groups
  • Can demonstrate experience of providing support to carers in a paid or voluntary capacity
  • Be able to follow direction but deliver support autonomously
  • Have a full driving licence and access to a car to be able to travel extensively across the whole of the trust area to visit people where they live an to the group sessions (groups are delivered in Dromore, Craigavon, Armagh and Aughnacloy)
Desirable
  • Experience of working with people with acquired brain injuries or other disabilities
  • Experience of being involved in a creative project

Personal Qualities/Skills
Essential
  • Excellent communication skills
  • A self-starter capable of creating new ideas and implementing them
  • Ability to be flexible in your approach
  • Excellent interpersonal skills including sensitivity and patience
  • Have a good sense of humour and fun
  • Ability to plan and meet deadlines
  • A commitment to equal opportunities
  • Excellent team working
  • Commitment to confidentiality and discretion and recognition of it’s paramount important in this setting