JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title:Personal Assistant
Salary£8.00 per Hour
Job Purpose:
Personal Assistants are employed to work with clients to provide care and support as detailed specifically in the service user plan provided for each client. All clients are individuals who will have a person-centred holistic assessment of their needs which forms the basis of their service user plan. The role of the Personal Assistant is to meet their clients’ needs and to ensure they are supported as detailed in their service user plan ensuring at all times that their privacy, dignity and independence are maintained. This will include not only assisting with the client’s personal care needs but also their social welfare. The role may include prompting or administering medication, shopping, cooking and will include light housekeeping duties. Personal Assistant must work as directed by the Manager and detailed in the individual service user plan.
The aim of Individual Support is to enable clients to remain in their homes with as much independence as possible, carrying out the tasks in a professional, discreet and caring manner whilst respecting the clients’ dignity, privacy, property and confidentiality and to provide a supportive and enabling environment for vulnerable people living in the community.
General Responsibilities:
1. To ensure that all duties directed by the Registered Manager and detailed in the service user Plan are carried out in full, providing high quality personal care to the client.
2. To inform the Manager immediately in regards to any emergency situations, or if the client experiences a noticeable change in their behaviour or care needs.
3. To work supportively and pro-actively alongside GP’s, nurses, physiotherapists and any other professionalsinvolved in the care and wellbeing of the client.
4. Maintain awareness of your role in providing assistance, guidance and support to the client, allowing them to remain as independent as possible.
5. To inform the Manager if there is any suspicion of abuse from anyone towards the client.
7. Demonstrate a commitment to equality and diversity and respect for the rights of service users to privacy, dignity and confidentiality.
8. To work with other providers to ensure a consistent, quality service with the needs of the client as paramount
Standard Duties:
  1. Physical Care
Support and assist the client in maintaining a high standard of cleanliness and personal hygiene at all times and in a respectful and dignified manner.
This could include supporting with personal and intimate care. washing, dressing, dietary needs, personal hygiene and mobility according to their need. To administer medication as directed by GP or consultant and in line with company policy and procedure.
To ensure safe storage and keep accurate records in line with the medication policy and in accordance with agreed care plans, and liaise with the appropriate medical professionals as necessary.
Ensure the client is always comfortable, particularly if they require manual handling.
Ensure the client’s home is always clean and tidy and that household chores such as
cleaning, laundry, vacuuming, dusting etc are done in accordance with the Service User
plan.
Enable mobility; tasks might include pushing wheelchair, checking of specialist equipment,
driving client’s vehicle, etc.
2.Individual Development:
To assist and encourage individual development with regard to domestic and social and recreational skills. In order to achieve set goals and to have involvement in the Person Centred Planning. To maintain records of patterns of care and observations.
3.Recording Skills:
To maintain detailed written records of patterns of care and observations of service users.
Maintain necessary records as required, stating the tasks that have been undertaken and
any other relevant information.
4. Housekeeping:
To undertake or to assist in matters of household management which include cleaning, shopping, menu planning, cooking, budgeting and safety/security issues.
Prepare meals and refreshments in accordance to the requests and dietary needs of the
Client.
5. Finances:To be responsible for service users’ finances where necessary and recording of any transactions in accordance with financial procedures, reporting any discrepancies to lead or manager.
6. Health & Safety:To follow Health & Safety Guidelines in accordance with policies and procedures including safeguarding.
Ensure the health and safety of self and service user whilst working, reporting any concerns
immediately to the Manager.
7. Liaison:
To liaise with parents/carers, friends of people supported, internal and external providers, other professionals. To report regularly to commissioner on progress and to notify them of any areas of concern, change etc. To attend and participate in staff/team meetings, supervision, appraisal, staff briefings and review meetings for service users as required.
8. Confidentiality:
To adhere to national, corporate and departmental policies and procedures on confidentiality and the management and sharing of information.
Adhere to all statutory and company policies and procedures, including those relating to
Quality, Confidentiality, and Health & Safety.
9. DBS:
Must have a current and up to date DBS and renew this every three years.
Must declare any cautions or convictions immediately to line manager.
10. Hours of work:
To work a range of shifts on a 24/7 basis including evenings, weekends and Bank Holidays as required in accordance with service user needs.
11. Training & Development:
To arrange and Undertake current, relevent training as appropriate to the post and to meet individual needs of service users.
(including training / qualifications required to comply with the National Care Standards).
13 Equal Opportunities
At all times behave in a manner which reflects the company's equal opportunities statement.
14 Any Other Duties
Undertake any other reasonable task as directed by the Care Arranger or Registered
Manager/Team Leader.
Contacts: Clients, carers, social care staff, professionals working in other statutory services and members of the public.
Relationship To Other Posts In The Department:
Responsible to: Registered Manager and Line Management
Responsible for: N/A
Special Conditions:
DBS disclosure required - enhanced
DATE / NAME / POST TITLE
Prepared / 15/10/13 / Sue Marcroft
Emma Williams / Operations Business Development Manager
Resource Manager
Reviewed / 16.5.14 / Glenn Harrison / OCS
Reviewed

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Job Title: Personal Assistant

Selection criteria
(Essential) / Selection criteria
(Desirable) / How Assessed
Education & Qualifications / No formal qualifications are required, however candidates should have good literacy skills and be able to speak clearly and understand English. Basic to good Numeracy skills are also required. / NVQ 2 (or higher) in Health & Social Care
Grade C or higher GCSE (or equivalent) in Maths and English.
Training and qualifications in related subjects such as adult protection, health and safety, moving and handling, dementia. / AF / I / AC
AF / I / AC
AF / I / AC
Experience / Experience of working with or caring for adults with vulnerable adults and children (either paid or unpaid work experience or family caring responsibilities).
Ability to carry out personal care tasks whilst maintaining dignity of the customer.
Experience of providing good customer service.
Experience of using a range of paperwork within the workplace.
Experience of working within a framework of regulation, including following policies and procedures. / Experience of working with those who have learning disabilities, autism, dementia, a physical disability or mental health issue
Experience of undertaking risk assessments / customer reviews. / AF / I / AC
AF / I / AC
AF / I / AC
AF / I / AC
AF / I / AC
Skills & Abilities / Ability to communicate effectively and clearly, both verbally and in writing.
Ability to follow verbal and written instructions clearly and accurately.
Able to listen effectively to customer needs and wishes.
Works in a patient, compassionate and caring way, ensuring that customer needs and wishes are respected.
Good interpersonal skills, ability to form and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues and customers.
Works with integrity and honesty.
Works using own initiative and able to remain calm under pressure, making good decisions at short notice and in emergency situations.
Works with diligence and a positive attitude.
Ability to maintain confidentiality
Ability to undertake moving and handling tasks / Experience of adapting communication style to
meet a variety of different circumstances.
Evidenced examples from previous job roles.
Evidenced examples from previous job roles.
Evidenced examples from previous job roles.
Evidenced examples from previous job roles. / AF / I / AC
AF / I / AC
AF / I / AC
AF / I / AC
AF / I / AC
AF / I / AC
AF / I / AC
AF / I / AC
Knowledge / Knowledge of best practices in terms of caring for vunerable adults and children. / Evidenced examples from previous job roles / AF / I / AC
Work Circumstances / The post holder should be prepared to undertake training as required and be willing to learn and develop new skills relevant to the role.
Current valid driving licence
Will be required to work on a rota basis which covers 24/7 period
including evening/weekends and bank holidays / AF / I / AC

NB. - Any candidate with a disability who meets the essential criteria will be guaranteed an interview.