Job Title:
Driver / Support worker / Service: Places
Post Number: / Division: Community Services
Grade: 4 / Business Unit/Section:
Transport
Overall Purpose of Job:
To drive transport vehicles for the specialist safe and well service. To safely drive adults with complex and / or challenging needs between their homes and community wellbeing hub / community venue. To drive vehicles as required throughout the day and to support the specialist safe and well support staff in the delivery of inclusive and person centred opportunities within community well being hubs and other community settings.
Main Responsibilities
1. / Collect the vehicle from the designated location and carry out vehicle checks
before commencing assigned duties. Return the vehicle in a clean condition with adequate fuel, to its designated parking location, secured and the keys returned to their overnight place.
2. / Assist other support staff to ensure that adults with complex and / or challenging needs receive the support they need to travel safely. Ensure policies and procedures are followed at all times relating to safety including the safe transport of medication and money. Completerisk assessments as appropriate ensuring all relevant documentation is completed.
3. / Ensure that passengers enter and exit vehicles safely and be responsible for the operation of the passenger lift or ramp as necessary. Fit wheelchairs restraints (clamps or 4 point webbing) in accordance with equipment operating instructions, ensuring that it is safely secured and ready for transit.
4. / Adhere to the planned passenger list and departure times for each route, unless specifically instructed.
5. / Report any accidents or incidents involving adults with complex and / or challenging needs to the Senior Support Worker and also to the Transport Office at the earliest opportunity, where appropriate action can be taken and contact with family carers made. Accidents or incidents relating to the vehicle or transport staff should be reported to the Transport Office.
6. / Maintain vehicles in a clean condition both internally and externally
7. / Complete and return vehicle defect sheets, Vehicle Log Sheets and Employee Time Sheets on a weekly basis.
8. / To work with adults with complex and/ or challenging needs supporting them to engage in individual and group activities under the supervision of the Senior Support Officer.
9. / Contribute to ongoing assessment and evaluation with regard to individual support plans .
10. / Maintain effective records and personal information as required adhering to data protection and caldicott principles.
11. / Work closely with adults with complex and /or challenging needs and their circle of support to promote and implement their individual choice and control and respect diversity.
12 / Provide a full range of personal care support for adults with complex needs as and when required using specialist equipment as necessary.
13. / Contribute tothe implementation, monitoring and review of individual support plans, including providing information to other professionals and circle of support.
14. / Under the supervision of the Senior Support Officer and in conjunction with others, adhere to risk assessments which support community inclusion and personal development, independence and enablement .
15. / Support other staff in ensuring that vulnerable adults with complex and / or challenging needs develop the full range of independence skills, confidence building, and communication skills including money management and reablement.
16. / Adhere to North Lincolnshire Council’s policies and procedures including Managing Critical Incidents, Moving and handling, health and safety and safeguarding adults
17 / Safely support the changing needs of adults with complex and / or challenging needs by maintaining the necessary vigilance, awareness and supervision of groups and individuals within the group.
Knowledge, Skill and Experience Required:
  1. Familiarity with driving medium sized passenger vehicles
  2. Current Driving Licence with Cat D1
  3. Basic vehicle maintenance
  4. Ability to work with adults with complex and / or challenging needs respecting diversity and individual choice and decision making
  5. Competent in compiling information and using a variety of information system
  6. Under supervision, be able to support appropriate risk taking by devising and adhering to robust risk assessments including Lone Working.
  7. Evidence of learning and experience of health and social care
  8. Ability to effectively engage with adults with complex and / or challenging needs using preferred communication styles.
  9. Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
  10. Ability to prioritise workload and adapt to changing needs when necessary.
  11. To participate fully in supervision and staff development taking responsibility for own continuous development.
  12. Ability to problem solve with support using a variety of techniques.

Creativity and Innovation:
  1. Interpersonal skills – ability to use different communication styles to engage with adults with complex and / or challenging needs
  2. Under supervision, find creative and innovative methods of supporting adults with complex and / or challenging needs to access a range of activities, to promote independence and respect diversity.
  3. In consultation with Transport Manager, devise contingency plans in relation to emergency situations when undertaking driving role. Share information with appropriate person and record decision.
  4. Ability to reassure adults with complex and / or challenging needs in emergency situations e.g. vehicle breakdowns

Decision Making:
  1. Routine decisions concerning vehicle operation within established guidelines
  2. Within established guidelines determine that vehicle is roadworthy and safe for passenger transport.
  3. Responsible for the safety and welfare of all passengers travelling on the vehicle. May need to make decisions outside routine practice which require judgement and assessment of risk and may impact on routine of passengers e.g adverse weather conditions
  4. Work schedules are predetermined, driver may be asked to contribute to changes in routine and feed back information on running times etc
  5. Report any concerns or changes relating to adults with complex and / or challenging needs to the lead worker, Senior Support Officer or Transport Manager as appropriate.
  6. To clearly understand and adhere to reporting mechanisms and line management structure.
  7. To make routine decisions when lone working
  8. To work within established policies and procedures, seeking further advice from manager if necessary.
  9. In consultation with the Senior Support Officer and other staff contribute to decisions in the best interest of adults with complex and / or challenging needs ensuring full reports are made.

Contacts and Relationships:
  1. Adults with complex and / or challenging needs and their circle of support – on a daily basis to support to engage in person centred opportunities and to ensure safe travel to and from home and to community venues
  2. Team members in Community Wellbeing Hubs and other community venues – on a daily basis to participate in appropriate partnership working
  3. To work with a range of Health and Social Care professionals and other partners internal and external to contribute to the delivery of person centred support plans.
  4. Members of the public on a daily basis when supporting adults with complex and / or challenging needs to promote community inclusion.
  5. Senior support Officer / Transport Manager – for supervision, team meetings and employee development
  6. Fleet Management – contact with mechanics within the fleet service to report defects / ensure safe maintenance of vehicle
  7. Transport Office – daily contact to give and receive information.

Responsibility for Resources: (to include approximate value, sole or shared responsibility and for what percentage of their working hours away from their designated base)
  1. Responsible for the safe use and safe keeping of the vehicle
  2. Shared/sole responsibility of mobile phones.
  3. Service Users property while on the vehicle - including responsibility to hand over personal property, including medication and money to Specialist Support Worker / Senior Support Officer as required
  4. Safe use and storage of aids and equipment while on the vehicle and within community wellbeing hubs and other community venues.
  5. Handle service users money on their behalf up to 10.00 per day per person.
  6. Shared responsibility for cameras / DVD players / portable televisions
  7. 90% of their time away from designated bases

WORK ENVIRONMENT
Work Demands:
  • Expected to work flexibly, and across localities as required, to meet the needs of adults with complex and / or challenging needs and the needs of the service..
  • Responds to changing support needs of adults with complex and / or challenging needs which can be at short notice.
  • Responds to changes in routines e.g due to illness, traffic conditions and vehicle breakdowns
  • Work routine is subject to interruption due to unpredictable workload

Physical Demands:
  • To under take Managing Critical Incidents Training and moving and handling training.
  • Occasional use of Physical Behavioural Interventions.
  • Regular moving and handling of adults i.e. Onto the floor, wheelchairs, assisting adults with mobility and up and down steps etc
  • Driving.
  • Working in potentially difficult environments, e.g. Public Swimming pools and. Community settings.
  • Will need to lift equipment and carry between community venues

Working Conditions:
  • To work in community venues, outdoors and in the homes of adults with complex and / or challenging needs that may be unhealthy environments
  • To work in all weathers.

Work Context:
  1. Risk arising from working with adults with complex and / or challenging needs.
  2. Lone working is a requirement of this post.
  3. Some risk to health and safety when using hazardous products e.g. glue, cleaning materials
  4. Work environment can be unpredictable and challenging both physically and emotionally


Position in Organisation:
Indicate how many staff the post is directly accountable for:

Does the postholder manage the posts: Yes No

OR
Does the postholder supervise the posts: Yes No
Are posts in more than one location? Yes No
Is the supervision/management shared with another post in the structure? Yes No
Please indicate which post(s) ______

Note:

Post holders will be expected to be flexible in undertaking the duties and responsibilities attached to their post and may be asked to perform other duties, which reasonably correspond to the general character of the post and are commensurate with its level of responsibility. This job description is provided for guidance only and does not form part of the contract of employment.

Date of Job Description…………………………….

Date copy sent to Post holder…………………………….

Corporate Services Cabinet Member 12 November 2003