Job description and person specification
Support WorkerSalary band / Level 1b / Job reference number
Area / department / Wales/UK Ops / Division / Independent Living
Work location / Swansea / Reports to / Team Leader
Role duration / Fixed Term until 31/03/2017 / Last updated / 13/10/2016
Scale and scope of role
Direct reports / 0 / Indirect reports / 0Budgetary responsibility / accountability / £0 / Accountability for other resources / 0
Reach and impact / Provision of support to vulnerable people accessing hospital services across the Swansea Morgannwg Locality in Wales.
Context
The British Red Cross helps people in crisis, whoever and wherever they are. We are part of a global voluntary network, responding to conflicts, natural disasters and individual emergencies. We enable vulnerable people in the UK and abroad to prepare for and withstand emergencies in their own communities. And when the crisis is over, we help them to recover and move on with their lives. Within the UK, the British Red Cross operates through about 3500 staff and over 30,000 volunteers. Geographically, the UK is organised into 8 Areas.
Swansea Morgannwg Locality covers the local authorities of the City and County of Swansea, Neath Port Talbot Borough Council and Bridgend Borough Council. We have several commissioned services in each of these authorities, and work across health, social care housing.
Overall purpose of the role
The overall aim of this role is to help reduce the number of regular inappropriate and unnecessary attendances at Morriston Hospital Emergency Department (ED). The support worker will manage a small caseload of vulnerable individuals with complex needs and help to facilitate access to appropriate community based health and social care services to ensure that care is given at the right time, by the right agency and for the right health/ social care need.
Main responsibilities and duties
§ The provision of direct support to service users:
To work jointly with the team leader to assess and understand the support needs of service users referred into the project.
To provide practical and emotional support to vulnerable people in their own homes following the assessment of need and risk assessment.
To work with service users in a holistic and empowering manner to ensure that the service user is central to all care and support provided.
With the team leader, produce a care and support plan for individuals that reflect their expressed needs.
Take a problem solving approach in supporting service users to set their own personal goals and targets and to work collaboratively with the service user to help them achieve their goals.
To provide practical and emotional support to service users and help build personal resilience and coping strategies specifically in relation to personal ‘crisis’ situations.
To assist service users to develop appropriate life skills that would enable them to build confidence and self-esteem.
To assist the service user to plan, and manage their budget if appropriate.
To provide information and advice on a range of community based support services and to act as a ‘care navigator’ to facilitate access to relevant services, attending appointments with service users when needed.
To help the service user to access professional help and the support of others who can contribute to their sense of well-being and independence.
Being proactive and continuously monitoring the needs of service users and making adjustments to support plans where necessary.
To work in a way that is user focussed, compassionate, caring and sensitive, whilst maintaining clear professional boundaries.
To encourage service users to participate in local community activities that will assist in reducing their sense of isolation and increase social integration.
To gently and respectfully challenge existing behaviour patterns in individuals in a professional manner and promote alternative positive behaviours and solutions.
To report any incidents or concerns to the team leader and/or ILSM and to consult about any changes in the service user’s condition or circumstances.
To deploy the necessary skills and knowledge in relation to safeguarding.
To take appropriate action in the event of any accident, incident and emergency and to notify the team leader and/or ILSM promptly of any problems that arise in the delivery of the agreed support.
§ To complete any required documentation:
To keep up-to-date accurate records of support provided to service users.
To complete all service user documentation in a timely manner.
To assist in the compilation of statistical information, welfare reports, service outcomes and service and evaluation.
§ To work within all local and national BRC policies and procedures and best practice as highlighted by the team leader and/or ILSM and contract standards.
§ To undertake any training relevant or advantageous to the post and to continually seek to enhance self-development through preparation for and participation in supervision, appraisal and training.
§ To apply your learning from training and other professional development experiences to improve your practice and the service.
§ To uphold the Fundamental Principles of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and to work within and promote the Society’s Equal Opportunities policy.
§ To act in accordance with the policies and procedures of the organisation.
§ As appropriate to respond to an emergency call out by the British Red Cross.
§ To participate in fundraising events.
§ To undertake any other relevant duties within the overall scope of this post as may be required by the team leader and/or ILSM, which are reasonable and consistent with the grade of support worker.
Person specification
/Requirements
Skills
/ Good ICT skills across use of the internet, emailing, word processingGood verbal communication skills; the ability to speak clearly about an issue**
Good active listening skills**; the ability to listen, reflect on what is said and respect the speaker
Good customer service skills**
Good written communication skills to GCSE level**
Good numeracy skills; ability to carry out basic calculations and interpret the results
Good reading and comprehension skills to GCSE level.
Conflict resolution skills
Team working skills**; the ability to support others, work co-operatively, achieve a shared outcome and have regard for team mates
Problem solving skills; the ability to tackle a problem systematically and work steadily towards its solution
Ability to act on initiative in an effective way related to your role**
Ability to manage own workload, complete tasks effectively and meet deadlines
Ability to work alone and unsupervised effectively**
Knowledge (including education and training)
/ Understanding of key health and safety issues such as lone working and risk management**Understanding of key safeguarding issues such as POVA**
Understanding of the challenges involved in supporting vulnerable people
Experience
/ Educated to at least O level or equivalent by experience**QCF in health and social care or achievement of this within a 18 month period **
Experience of working with vulnerable individuals who have complex needs; e.g. mental health, learning disability, substance dependency, etc.
Competencies
/ Enthusiasm and highly motivatedPositive in attitude
A compassionate approach to your work
Dependable, reliable and honest
Takes a professional and confidential approach to all work
Is flexible and personally resilient
Enjoys working in an environment of continuous improvement, including continuous self-improvement**
Recognise the implications of working within a charity and an organisation that delivers services through volunteers
Additional requirements
/ Uphold the Fundamental Principles and act with integrity, in accordance with the Society’s obligations and values (inclusive, compassionate, courageous, and dynamic). **Ensure anti-discriminatory practice and promote diversity. **
A willingness to work flexibly in response to service needs**
Full UK driving license and car owner/have access to a vehicle**
Able to respond to emergency situations**
NB All disabled candidates who meet the minimum criteria, denoted by **, will be short-listed for interview in line with our commitment under the two-tick symbol scheme.
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