SENIOR COMMUNITY SUPPORT WORKER

Main Purpose of the Job
Provide quality person centred support services to deaf people with a learning disability and/or mental health challenge in their preferred language (using their preferred method of communication).
Our service empowers people to have choice and control of their lives enabling them to live safely and as independently as possible; supporting the development of communication, independence and life skills.
As Senior Community Support Worker you will support people to develop independent living skills (both one-to-one and in a group setting) and supervise members of the delivery team. You will also act as Link Worker; coordinating support activities for the people we work with.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
·  Ensure support is delivered at the homes of the people we support and in the community in a safe, effective, caring and responsive way.
·  Provide supervision, guidance and support to those who you supervise.
·  Support the design and development of care/support plans and conduct reviews under the guidance of your line manager.
·  Implement agreed support plans (supporting the development of social, communication and life skills
·  Empower service users to live in the community as independently as possible; safely and with dignity.
·  Support communication in community and other settings (working with Interpreters where appropriate).
·  Facilitate access to social groups and events.
·  Informally advocate for the people who we support where appropriate.
·  Ensure the people who we support have access to formal advocacy services where appropriate and promote advocacy to professionals, carers and others through the course of your work.
·  Ensure that service users have equal opportunities for educational, social and other activities.
·  Informally provide deaf awareness to staff, carers and other professionals through your day to day work.
·  Provide accurate information to service users and other professionals/stakeholders in accessible format.
·  Deliver groups; life skills and community/social and keep accurate associated data/monitoring.
·  Support with hearing assessments and provide training and advice to hearing aid users and their carers (not relevant to all posts).
·  Provide accurate information to service users and other professionals/stakeholders in accessible format.
·  Attend regular supervision sessions and team meetings
·  Report immediately any safeguarding issues/concerns through RAD’s safeguarding policy/procedure.
·  Ensure RAD working practices and policies are adhered to at all times.
·  Ensure the principles of the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) are being applied to promote informed decisions.
·  Ensure your line manager is notified of any referral requirements (to other RAD services, or external services)
·  Collate and supply accurate and timely monitoring information as required by commissioners and/or RAD’s Finance and Monitoring Manager.
·  Maintain open channels of communication within the team.
·  Report immediately any concerns about the conduct of staff and/or financial irregularity to the Operations Manager (Social Care) or Service Manager, Director of Services or Chief Executive.
·  Any other reasonable duties as agreed with your line manager.
Dimensions
Staff: The post holder may supervise Community Support Workers/relevant support staff and/or volunteers
External Customers: Care Managers, Social Workers, other Professionals, Carers, Family Members and the people who we support
Internal Customers: RAD Staff, Volunteers and Directors
Reporting: The post holder reports to the Regional Team Leader
Location: Surrey (home based with travel to agreed locations)

PERSON SPECIFICATION

ESSENTIAL / DESIRABLE / HOW
MEASURE*
EDUCATION AND TRAINING
(academic and vocational / British Sign Language or Makaton qualification (or working towards) / Social Care NVQ 2 (or equivalent) / 1, 4
1, 4
EXPERIENCE AND ACHIEVEMENTS (paid/unpaid) / Interest and/or experience of working with people with learning disabilities or mental health challenges.
Deaf aware/understanding of Deaf culture and the barriers facing Deaf people
Experience of providing support to people using some form of visual communication
Enhanced responsibilities in a current or previous role; eg, Link Worker/Key Worker, rota planning, organising the activities of a person/team. / Experience of working with Deaf people or in the Deaf Community
Experience of setting up and running small groups
Supervisory experience / 1, 2, 3, 5
1, 3, 5
1, 3, 5
1, 3, 5
1, 3
1, 3
1, 3
SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL QUALITIES / Effective communication skills
Sensitivity, diplomacy and empathy
Willingness to learn and use visual forms of communication eg Makaton/Symbols and a willingness to progress British Sign Language (where required) to a minimum of Level 2
Able to work on own initiative and as part of a team
Able to respond quickly and appropriately in difficult situations (in line with training and policies/procedures)
Basic understanding of Microsoft software packages; specifically Outlook and the ability to record information accurately on the service database/system.
Ability to record information (in accessible format where required)
Good timekeeping
IT and/or database skills
A commitment to respecting the dignity of the people who we work with / Experience of working with electronic rota systems
Experience of real time monitoring systems / 1, 3, 5
1, 3
1, 3
1, 3
1, 3
1, 3
1, 3, 5
1, 3
1, 3
1, 2
1, 3
1, 3
BEHAVIOURS
(RAD’s behaviours are fundamental to all that we do.) / Ability to take ownership of own work, behaviours and actions
Proactive and prepared to take considered risks
Team player; sharing information for the benefit of our organisation and the services we deliver
Non-judgemental approach – not blaming or assumption making
A belief in continuous improvement, receptive to change and willing to learn from mistakes
Positive attitude towards work, colleagues and the organisational vision / 3
3
3
3
3
3
OTHER RELEVANT FACTORS
(eg able to work rota system
driving licence/car owner) / Must be prepared to work occasional evenings /weekends, if required – up to a maximum of 2 weekend days per month
Must undergo enhanced DBS check
Must comply with all RAD’s policies and procedures.
Flexible in approach to work
A car driver owner/driver

*Key

1. Application

2. References

3. Interview

4. Evidence

5. Testing

1

Author: Director of Services

Revised: April 2017