Title:Project Worker

JOB DESCRIPTION

Title:Project Worker

Department: Beacon

Reports t0: Home Manager

Main function:To assist the team in providing the highest possible standard of support to Service Users by actively promoting and supporting the recovery of hope and ambition for flourishing mental health, in line with Niamh’s / Beacon’s strategy and theBeacon Social Care Model.

Please note that sections A to G are relevant to ALL Project Worker positions within Niamh. Section H details additional duties relevant to specific Project Worker roles and section I details additional duties relevant to Peripatetic Project Workers.

Main duties and responsibilities are to:

1. Customer & Client Focus

1. Develop & maintain a trusting & professional relationship with Service Users and act in a supportive empathetic manner towards them.
2. Contribute to & help maintain a harmonious and therapeutic environment.
3. Support Service Users to manage their physical health, mental health and wellbeing through the development, implementation and monitoring of individual support plans.
4. Actively encourage the involvement of Service Users in all aspects of decision making, be sensitive and seek solutions to difficulties encountered by Service Users.
5. Implement adhere to Beacon’s Referral & Attendance/Living In Procedures, involving Service Users at all times.
6. Deliver care & support within the context of a social inclusion and recovery approach which is designed to work with people to find and maintain hope, re-establish a positive identity, build a meaningful life and take responsibility and control.
7. Provide care and support by motivating and mentoring Service Users in the following areas:
8. Forming effective relationships and liaising with external agencies as required;

• For Housing related services the emphasis is on setting up and maintaining tenancies/licence to occupy.
• For Housing related services the Project Worker will support the Service User with all aspects of financial planning and responsibilities in relation to their tenancies/licence to occupy.
• For other Project Worker roles the emphasis may be on signposting or referral to other relevant agencies.
• Plan, develop, risk assess, deliver, and evaluate individual or group work activities (including those of a therapeutic nature),both within the Scheme and in the community.
• Co-ordinate, support and accompany Service Userson outreach activities as required.
• Housekeeping duties as required eg. domestic/cleaning skills, meal preparation, shopping and budgeting.
• Build, promote and maintain contacts in the community and enable Service Users to work towards independent living.
• Maintaining standards of hygiene and support in relation to infection control.
• Provide and facilitate advice and support for personal safety and security.
• Promote positive health choices and healthy life styles.
• Actively promote Service User involvement.
• Work towards reducing the stigma experienced by those with mental health needs.
• Advocate for Service Users as required.

1. Be flexible and work such hours to meet the needs of the Scheme as are required for the post which can involve evening, overnights and weekend work on a shift/rota basis.
2. Travel to, and work at, other Beacon locations as required.

1. Communicating Effectively

1. Maintain clear, accurate, timely and complete written records/ documentation.
2. Support junior staff, liaise with colleagues and managers/other professional personnel to report and record progress or difficulties and in particular any issues of concern, unusual behaviour or deterioration in health and ensure compliance with Incident Reporting procedures as required.
3. Inform Statutory Workers and/or significant others on pertinent matters in a timely and professional manner.
4. Complete general administration and/ or communication as required; sending e-mails, completing computerised reports and answering/making telephone calls.
5. Demonstrate effective listening skills and understanding when engaged by others, having the most appropriate method and forum of communication.
6. Attend, contribute to, and actively participate in handovers and team meetings and facilitate the meeting when directed by the Scheme Manager.

1. Team & Partnership Working

1. Be an integral member of, and work in close co-operation with, all members of the Beacon Support Team and representatives of relevant statutory, voluntary and regulatory bodies to achieve the aims of the Beacon Social Care Model.
2. Have a clear understanding of the critical role of internal and external relationships.
3. Acknowledge, recognise and respect the expertise and contribution of others.
4. Share knowledge, skills, training and learning across the team.
5. Fulfil the role of Key Worker and provide support and mentoring to Co-Key Workers.
6. Assist the Manager in the smooth running of the Scheme and assume responsibility when requested by the Scheme Manager.
7. Proactively seek out opportunities in the community for the benefit of Service Users.
8. Project a positive image and reputation of Niamh in your dealings with others and ensure, by your actions, the on-going confidence of the public.

1. Personal Development, Performance & Professionalism

1. Demonstrate a willingness to learn and implement new skills and knowledge to competently fulfil the requirements of the post.
2. Take ownership of your continuous personal development to maximise your potential and contribution, including maintaining your supervision file, Individual Development Plan/Performance Improvement Plan and completed training records/records of evidence.
3. Complete the Induction and Foundation Framework (FF) within probationary period.
4. Work with your Line Manager to identify personal strengths and areas for development and set clear and challenging operational/developmental objectives and performance indicators.
5. Applying your best endeavours to achieve your agreed operational and developmental objectives.
6. Undertake, and participate positively in, essential and appropriate (internal and external) training as scheduled.
7. Participate in, and contribute positively to, supervision and performance management reviews with your Line Manager in an open and receptive manner.
8. Be open to giving and receiving feedback.
9. Deliver information talks and training packages to external agencies as required.
10. Understand and use appropriate computer systems and programmes.
11. Conduct yourself in a professional, caring, respectful, helpful and courteous manner at all times.
12. Maintain the highest levels of confidentiality at all times, both during and after employment.
13. Register with the Northern Ireland Social Care Council (NISCC) as a social care worker and maintain Post Registration and Learning (PTRL) requirements.
14. Induct, supervise and support Volunteers as directed by your Line Manager.
15. Develop an area of special interest as agreed with your Line Manager.

1. Continuous Improvement & Results Delivery

1. Demonstrate initiative, innovation and contribution to the climate of continuous improvement (eg. self, systems, practices, processes, service delivery, efficiencies).
2. Contribute effectively to a cost conscious and value for money culture including awareness of, and adherence to, the Scheme’s budget.
3. Suggest and present ideas for improvement and be actively involved in their planning, implementation and evaluation.
4. Plan and organise own work to achieve results that are aligned to personal objectives.
5. Demonstrate the highest standards of commitment, responsibility, accountability and present as a positive role model at all times.
6. Support the Scheme in meeting quality, governance, legislative and regulatory requirements.
7. Seek and give help as required to achieve objectives/overcome barriers.
8. Manage your own time effectively to achieve deadlines.

1. Strategic Focus

1. Have knowledge and understanding of, and contribute to, Niamh and Beacon’s strategic objectives and how your role and personal objectives contribute to their achievement.

G.Internal Policies & Procedures

1.Ensure that all relevant policies and procedures, as outlined in Niamh and/or Beacon manuals, are read, understood and adhered to at all times, to include;

• Induction Manual
• Staff Handbook
• Beacon Policies and Procedures Manual
• Health & Safety Manual
• Financial Procedures Manual
• Scheme specific reference documents.

1. In particular you are required to adhere to the principles of Niamh’s Equal Opportunities Policy throughout the course of your employment.

------

H.Additional Duties and/or Special Responsibilities

H1.Project Worker (Housing Support)

• Project Workers will adhere to the Safe Handling, Administration, Storage and Control of Medication as relevant to your particular Scheme, subject to training and assessment of competence.

• Accompany Service Users to external appointments as required.

H2.Project Worker (Day Support)

• Train and facilitate those participating in Service User led activities, including health and safety awareness and emergency procedures.

H3.Project Worker (Beacon Support Services)

• To support the Service Users to manage their prescribed medication, where appropriate.

H4.Project Worker (Floating Support)

• To support the Service Users to manage their prescribed medication, where appropriate.
• Being able to work on your own initiative without direct daily supervision.
• Manage your own case load with appropriate support from line management.

1. Additional Duties for Peripatetic Project Worker
2. Peripatetic Project Workerswill be expected to work across the full range of Niamh services within your designated geographical area.
3. Peripatetic Project Workersmust have knowledge of all parts of the Project Worker Job Description ie. A – H.

This job description is neither exhaustive nor exclusive and may be reviewed and amended in the future to include any other reasonable duties, projects or tasks as may be requested from time to time and to reflect changing organisational requirements, changing staffing levels, etc.

Last reviewed: Sept 2011