Senior Support Worker - Pembrokeshire

Dear Applicant

Senior Support Worker - Pembrokeshire

Esgyn provide a range of support services to people experiencing physical and mental ill health. We work across Swansea, Neath Port Talbot, Carmarthenshire, Blaenau Gwent and Pembrokeshire enabling people to live independently in their own homes and in the community.

Thank you for your interest in working for Esgyn. Please find enclosed within this pack the following:

• Information on Esgyn and the post you have applied for
• Job Description, Person Specification and Competency Framework
• Application Form
• Equal Opportunities Form

The closing date for receipt of your application is 9am Tuesday 5th May 2015. Please do ensure you return your application by this date and time. Esgyn cannot be held responsible for any applications received late and any applications that arrive after the deadline will not be considered.

Interviews will be held on Wednesday 15th May 2015.

Applications will be considered against the person specification and shortlisted candidates invited to interview.

Shortlisting will take place on Thursday 7th May 2015. We will contact you as soon as possible after shortlisting to inform you of the outcome.

Once again, thank you for your interest in Esgyn and we look forward to receiving your application.

Yours sincerely,

Jo Thomas

HR Officer

About Esgyn

Esgyn support people who have mental health issues and other difficulties to live independently. We have been supporting people for over 37 years so they can live the life they choose. We help people to create opportunities, make choices and build on their strengths.

We work across Swansea, Neath Port Talbot, Carmarthenshire, Blaenau Gwent and Pembrokeshire, providing a range of support services to enable people to live independently in the community and in their own homes.

Our Mission

Working with people to be all that they want to be – and more

Our Vision for people who use our services

The people who use our services will enjoy…

• High quality enabling support, shaping their own goals and making progress in their lives
• Support that celebrates their progress and adapts to different levels of need
• Flexible and creative forms of 24/7 support
• Open two-way communication and knowing their voices have an influence
• A sense of stability and clear purpose
• A broader range of services across a wider geographical area, some delivered in partnerships with other organisations
• Working with staff who are enthusiastic about what Esgyn is doing

Our Vision for our staff

Our staff will be motivated by…

• New challenges, a diversity of projects and delivering quality outcomes
• Flexible working, personal development opportunities and attractive career development paths
• Feeling genuinely valued, respected, involved and listened to
• Working within a centre of excellence and active campaigner for mental health with a glowing reputation
• Working towards a clear vision and sense of purpose, supported by the right values and a sound financial base
• The confidence of an organisation that is the architect of its own future

Esgyn

Senior Support Worker Pembrokeshire – Care and Support

Location:Based in Pembrokeshire, with the requirement to travel to the Swansea office, and occasionally within South Wales

Pay rate:£17,161 per annum [plus sleep-in and on-call payment]

Hours:35 per week to include evenings and weekends

Holidays:26 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Holidays increase by 1 day for each year of service up to a maximum of 30 days.

Other Benefits:Pension

Opportunities for flexible working

Training and personal development opportunities

Our Services:

Esgyn offers a wide variety of support and care services for adults and young people suffering from mental health issues and associated needs. Its specialisms include:

• Mental Health issues
• Alcohol and substance use
• Acquired brain injury
• Complex needs
• Dementia
• Learning disabilities
• Parkinson’s Disease
• Physical disabilities

Esgyn works in partnership with local authorities and health boards to provide individual care and support, supported and shared housing, on demand support and respite care.

Services are provided to people with longer term mental and physical health needs which prevent them from living independently. Support is tailored to the individual to include personal care, assistance with daily living skills, advocacy and emotional support amongst many others. The aim is to enable users of this service to live as independently as possible to live the life they want.

Projects include:

• 24 x 7 Individual 2 to 1 Care and Support
• 24 x 7 Individual 1 to 1 Care and Support
• 24 x 7 Individual Shared Living
• Floating Support Services, ranging from 98 hours p/w to 2 hours p/w
• On demand Support – as and when the person requires the support
• Respite Care

Esgyn

Role Expectations

Post: Senior Support Worker

Service:Pembrokeshire Projects

Reporting to: Team Leader

Responsible for:Support Workers

Office Base:Based in Pembrokeshire, with the requirement to travel to the Swansea office, and occasionally within South Wales

Date:April 2015

Job Purpose:

• To co-ordinate team activities in provision of the service to individuals
• To provide person centred support to individuals to help them live the life they choose
• To provide supervision and support to Support Workers
• To work as part of a support team, within a multi-agency framework to ensure that the aims and objectives of the services are met
• To comply with and maintain all necessary administrative and reporting systems

Role Expectations:

Co-ordination of service:

1. To manage referrals into the service.
2. To work with the Team Leader and team to develop and implement good working practices.
3. To draw up rotas for the project to ensure the required levels of cover at all times
4. To participate in an on call service on a rotational basis
5. To promote and encourage user involvement in all aspects of service delivery

Support to Individuals

1. To lead on assessment of needs of individuals referred to the projects, obtaining additional information as necessary.
2. Alongside the Team Leader, to take a lead support role in completing support needs assessments and the production of individual support plans within organisational timescales.
3. To take a lead role in delivering support in line with individual support plans
4. To take a lead role within the support team in assessing and managing risk
5. To provide practical, emotional and flexible care and support geared to the needs and goals identified within the support plan
6. To provide information which enables individuals to make informed choices.
7. To inform the Team Leader of any identified changes in support needs, concerns about the safety of an individual or other issues relating to support delivery
8. To undertake sleep in and wakeful night shifts when required by the project
9. In line with individual support plans:

• Assist individuals with the development of budgeting, household management and money management skills
• Ensure that individuals receive information, help and support to access other resources and facilities in their community, including education and learning, employment, leisure and personal interests
• Support people to build relationships, and make friends of their choosing within their community
• Provide accurate information and advice which enables individuals to make informed choices in relation to housing, support and other issues
• Provide assistance for claims for Housing Benefits, DWP Benefits and support, advice and assistance to ensure that individuals are maximising their benefit entitlement
• Provide all other necessary personal care and support identified by the individual and within the support plan

Supervision of Support Workers

1. To motivate and inspire staff to achieve the goals of the organisation.
2. To ensure accountabilities and responsibilities are clear for all line reports.
3. In liaison with the Team Leader, to provide induction, supervision and annual appraisal to Support Workers, ensuring they work within set guidelines and meet objectives.
4. To ensure proper implementation of relevant policy, procedure and systems across the area of responsibility.
5. To ensure compliance with all legal and regulatory requirements.
6. To manage staff and services within a performance management framework, referring difficult or complex staffing issues to the Team Leader

Working within a multi-agency framework

1.To liaise with the appropriate agencies over matters relating to individual tenancies as necessary, including rent and rent arrears, complaints and neighbour disputes, repairs and maintenance, and any breach of the tenancy agreement by either party.

2. To participate in joint meetings and case reviews ensuring collaboration and effective support planning

3.To ensure all relevant information is shared with colleagues and other services as appropriate.

4. To work to meet the compliance requirements of adult social care organisations in an ever-changing regulatory landscape led by the Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales (CSSIW)

Administrative Requirements

1. To ensure that risk assessments, support plans and reviews are maintained up to date.
2. To ensure all project communication methods are used appropriate and effectively.
3. To ensure that IT systems are used effectively and in line with organisational procedures – eg. Use of e-mail and database systems.
4. To provide all relevant information to head office and external organisations as required.
5. To maintain an understanding of the financial requirements within the projects

Organisation Expectations

To carry out all duties in a manner that reflects Esgyn’s Aspirations:

1. Work with integrity and dignity.
2. Inspire and support people to exceed their expectations.
3. Develop a culture that is embracing and respectful of difference.
4. Communicate honestly and openly.
5. Be an organisation that is ambitious, creative and determined.
6. Create environments that are collaborative, supportive and empowering.
7. Be respected for our knowledge and expertise.

Esgyn

Person Specification

Post: Senior Support Worker

Applicants for the post of Senior Support Worker will be required to demonstrate evidence of competency at levels 1 and 2 with evidence of developing into 3; please refer to the Competency Framework below.

Competency Framework

Esgyn aspires to: Work with integrity and dignity

Level 1: Demonstrate integrity and dignity in all interactions with others

• Maintain appropriate personal boundaries in all interactions with service users, colleagues and external contacts
• Express opinions genuinely and honestly, while being mindful of the impact on others
• Take responsibility for reflecting on own behaviours
• Maintain confidentiality and be trustworthy in relationships with service users and colleagues
• Bring to the attention of line managers, any situations where standards of integrity or dignity are believed to have been breached.
• Make every effort to deliver on commitments made.

Level 2: Role Model behaviours of integrity and dignity to other team members

• Give feedback to colleagues where behaviours are noticed which do not demonstrate integrity or dignity
• Help others to understand their responsibilities to act with integrity and dignity
• Actively seek feedback to understand own personal impact on others, and use personal insights.

Level 3: Be an Ambassador for Esgyn by upholding standards of integrity and dignity both outside and inside the organisation

• Take ownership for ensuring the team understand their individual and collective responsibilities to treat all service users and colleagues with integrity and dignity
• Create a team culture where people are able to give and receive feedback constructively and take ownership for their personal development
• Be vigilant and responsive to colleagues who need to express concerns
• Ensure that new team members thoroughly understand their responsibilities with regards to integrity and dignity and can clearly describe the standards which they need to maintain
• Seek for self and others to continually do the right thing, and support colleagues where this may be difficult for them
• Maintain the integrity of our values, even when there is pressure from outside forces

Esgyn aspires to: Inspire and support people to exceed their expectations

Level 1: Support colleagues to deliver at their best

• Role model positive and constructive behaviours to service users and colleagues
• Share knowledge, skills and learning to help others to be at their best.
• Work in a way that supports and promotes the wellbeing of others.
• Participate openly and constructively in team meetings
• Work co-operatively with others, supporting colleagues to deliver their best to service users
• Actively engage in own supervision and appraisal, preparing and participating fully
• Maintain high quality standards in file and record keeping
• Notice and acknowledge great contribution from others

Level 2: Support the team to deliver at its best

• Demonstrate flexibility and adaptability to change
• Support colleagues in managing the emotional impact of their work
• Actively seek out information to share, which will help the team in its work
• Take a role in mentoring team members who need help or support
• Actively suggest ideas for improvement for the team
• Bring the great contribution of colleagues to the attention of others

Level 3: Enable people to set and achieve high standards for their own performance

• Recognise, celebrate and appreciate great contribution at team and organisational level

• Hold supervision and appraisal meetings which help individuals to develop and make progress with their performance
• Encourage the team to work to goals which are realistic, but stretching
• Take steps outside own comfort zone, to take forward own development, and support others to do so
• Develop a team culture where people feel they can talk about and learn from their mistakes, with support and openness
• Effectively use management information to understand where quality can be improved
• Face into difficult conversations with individuals where necessary, to help them improve their performance and contribution to the team

Esgyn aspires to: Develop a culture that is embracing and respectful of difference

Level 1: Demonstrate respect of difference in all interaction with others

• Have a reputation for being a great listener
• Demonstrate a commitment to the value of equality and respect for diversity
• Show an awareness of the different needs of people from different backgrounds, cultures and life experiences
• Seek to understand the perspective of service users through genuine interest and questioning
• Demonstrate an open mind with people who may have a different viewpoint.
• Use language which is positive and non-judgmental towards others

Level 2: Role model behaviours underpinned by respect of difference

• Give support to others where they may be finding it difficult to deal with issues of equality or difference
• Share experiences and knowledge which can help others embrace difference in their work and lives, and take every opportunity to learn more about equality issues
• Challenge behaviour which does not demonstrate a respect of difference
• Work to resolve conflict where it is observed

Level 3: Be an ambassador for Esgyn by upholding standards of respect of difference both outside and inside the Organisation

• Demonstrate a consistent approach to managing people, based on fairness and maintaining appropriate boundaries
• Demonstrate how difference is a strength in teams, and manage conflict which arises in the team setting
• Continuously check to ensure that all team members have a genuine commitment to equality
• Encourage different ways of thinking and problem solving within teams, ensuring that all colleagues have a voice

Esgyn aspires to: Communicate honestly and openly

Level 1: Communicate in a clear and concise way

• See communication as a two way process, actively seeking out communication, as well as actively listening to the message delivered.
• Use a communication style which is appropriate to the listener
• Use words appropriately, communicating in language which matches the organisation’s values.
• Using observation, be able to judge the listener’s response and adapt communication accordingly.
• Use written and IT based communication to explain key points clearly and effectively, and in appropriate detail.
• Role model honesty and openness in communication with others, using genuine care in the delivery of messages and challenging colleagues to do the same.

Level 2: Adapt communication to the audience