Job Description

Job Title:Community Support Worker

Location of Job: The Community House, Emmaus Colchester

Post holder reports to:Community Manager

Reporting To Post holder:-

Overall Purpose of the Role:

To support the welfare and development needs of Companions, to support the success of the Social Enterprise business activity & to provide effective administrative support to the Community Manager.

Main Responsibilities in the Management of the Community

  1. Assist the Community Manager in the selection & management of the Companions and in maintaining a stableCommunity.
  2. Work with the Community Manager and Business Manager in inductingand developing Companions, helping them to improve their skills, individually and collectively and enhance their personal and work related growth, both for their own benefit and that of the Community.
  3. Assist Companions in solving day-to-day problemsand resolving conflicts, bringingrelevant matters to the attention of the Community Manager.
  4. Maintainthe records we keep on Companions & report on the progress they make
  5. Ensure the Community House and annexesprovide a safe and secure environment for Companions, staff, volunteers and visitors and are well maintained.
  6. Implement policies and operating procedures to achieve positive outcomes for Companions
  7. Seek to improve our processes.
  8. Ensure compliance with relevant legislation.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

  1. Assist the Community Manager with interviewing potential new companions
  2. Complete a needs & risk assessment for each Companion as per the admissions policy
  3. As part of the Induction of Companions,complete the appropriate licenses and consents
  4. Complete Housing Benefit applications and work with the Operations and Finance Manager to ensureHB applications are approved and funds received.
  5. Maintain the Companions weekly register
  6. Liaise with the Business Manager on Companion development and training needs.
  7. Maintain appropriate systems for measuring and report necessary aspects of Companion care, training, development and achievements within agreed formats and timescales
  8. Ensure Support Plan/Outcome Stars plans are agreed by the Community Manager and then actioned, maintaining a written record to monitor each Companion’s progress.
  1. Conduct weekly room inspections, recording faults, arranging for remedial action and reporting any risk factors to the Community Manager
  2. Support Companions in developing their skills in communication, in performing domestic tasks and in dealing with social situations.
  3. Encourage Companions (1) to take responsibility for contact with agencies and individuals (e.g. benefits agencies, family members, friends, and landlords) (2) to take part in the work and leisure activities that exist within the Community.
  4. Assist Companions in registering with a local GP practice and in applying for HC2 certificates.
  5. Liaise, in conjunction with the Community Manager, with external agencies about Companions’ health and support needs.

Other responsibilities:

  1. Undertake administration, record keeping and report writing as needed
  2. Attend regular meetings with the Community staff team and provide verbal and/or written updates as required.
  3. Support colleagues, record and share information appropriately and confidentially.
  4. Adhere to Emmaus Colchester policies, protocols and procedures in accordance with the ethos of the Emmaus movement.
  5. Work with Companions towards positive move-ons.
  6. Represent Emmaus Colchester to partner agencies and develop relations with a variety of agencies for the benefit of both the Community and Companions.
  7. Support students on work placements.
  8. Perform any other tasks or duties deemed necessary by the General Manager

We expect you to carry out your job responsibilities in an environmentally aware manner.

Our aim is to ensure all resources are utilised effectively and efficiently. You will be expected to apply sound ‘value for money’ principles in undertaking purchasing or supply of goods and services.

At Emmaus Colchester, volunteers are an important resource and make a vital contribution to Emmaus Colchester’s aim to take action to help disadvantaged people. You will be expected to encourage, develop and support volunteer involvement in our work.


Person Specification

Community Support Worker – Emmaus Colchester

Essential

/

Desirable

Education / Education
Good general education to include Maths and English GSCE or equivalent. / Degree or other advanced qualification in social care related subject
Qualifications / Qualifications
Driving licence
Skills / Skills
Effective written and verbal communication skills
Effective listening skills
The ability to enable and empower
Effective administrative and organisational skills
Effective time management skills
Competent IT userincluding Microsoft Office packages, internet and email.
Conflict resolution skills
Proven ability to cope under extreme pressure / Mediation skills
Facilitation skills
Experience / Experience
Confident and competent
Experience of working with, and relating to, a diverse range of people.
Able to manage finances
Able to manage and develop a supportive Community environment
Experience in the identification, provision and/or organisation of training and/or personal development programmes / Experience of working with people with challenging behaviours
Volunteer management
Knowledge / Knowledge
Knowledgeable about and understanding of homelesspeople
Able to demonstrate of a belief in and the ability to, adopt and work within the Emmaus principles
Willing to undertake accredited training / Understanding of housing benefit
H&S – food handling and hygiene, working with violence and aggression, Risk assessments, First aid
Residential management – Catering, domestic management, property management
Basic knowledge of Data protection
Disposition / Disposition
Effective team worker
Empathetic and understanding of a wide range of needs and experiences
Aware and accepting of own limitations
Confident to take on and resolve difficult issues
Committed to environmental sustainability and social development
Able to welcome people into the community with no prejudice
Able to work unsocial hours
Able to travel regularly within the local area and often nationally throughout the UK
Willing to undertake training where appropriate

GM/KCH/May 2015