Re: Social Care Worker - Job Ref PEARSCW01

Thank you for your interest in the above position. I am pleased that you are interested in working for RNIB, which achieves such a tremendous amount for blind and partially sighted people.

Our application pack consists of:

·  an application form

·  a job description and person specification

·  our values and behaviours

·  an equal opportunities monitoring form

This pack can also be made available to you in large print, Grade 1 or Grade 2 braille, or on disk or tape. Please feel free to ask us if you would prefer to receive it in one of these alternative formats.

If you have a disability and would like assistance in filling in the form then please contact me at least three days before the closing date for the role and we shall be glad to help you.

We only accept CVs from applicants whose disability makes it difficult to complete an application form. All applicants however need to address the specific information we have asked for in the job advert.

Please read the guidance notes on the careers page of our website before filling in the application form as you may find this helpful when completing the form.

If you are able to, please complete and return your application form and the equal opportunities monitoring form by email to .

However we will accept braille, audio, disk, typed and handwritten applications sent to HR Administrator, RNIB, Human Resources, 105 Judd Street, London WC1H 9NE.

We want to ensure that as much of our resources as possible go towards supporting people with sight loss and therefore we do not normally contact unsuccessful applicants individually. If you have not heard from us within three weeks of the closing date, please assume that your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion. However, we would encourage you to apply for other suitable roles.

Once again, thank you for your interest in this vacancy and for working for the Royal National Institute of Blind People.

Gayle Williamson

Assistant Resourcing Business Partner

0207 391 2257

Recognising and Responding to Child Protection Concerns

1 Policy Statement

1.1 RNIB believes that the welfare of children is paramount, and that they have the right to be protected from abuse regardless of gender, ethnicity, disability, sexuality or beliefs.

1.2 This policy applies to all Employees, RNIB Group Volunteers, Trustees and Governors of RNIB.

1.3 Any behaviour that is deemed to put children as either suffering, or likely to suffer significant harm as a result of abuse or neglect at will not be tolerated and action will be taken immediately, with referral if necessary to the appropriate statutory agencies - the Police and Social Services. If the incident involves an employee internal action as outlined in the Disciplinary Policy (Policy 8b) may be taken as well.

1.4 All Employees, RNIB Group Volunteers, Trustees and Governors of RNIB will receive induction training to provide them with the basic skills and knowledge required to ensure that they are able to safeguard and promote the welfare of children, by implementing these procedures. More in-depth training will be provided to all those who work directly or have direct contact with children.

1.5 Training will be updated yearly and the Principle Safeguarding and Quality Manager will agree and monitor the content and frequency of all training delivered.

1.6 All Employees, RNIB Group Volunteers, Trustees and Governors of RNIB who are intending to be involved in the recruitment process must attend RNIB recruitment and selection training and refer to the Recruitment & Selection Policy (Policy 1) to ensure that safe procedures are followed before appointments are made.

1.7 This policy and procedural guidance will be reviewed yearly as a standard and more frequently if necessary. Once reviewed and amended it will be approved and endorsed by the RNIB Group Board of Trustees.

1.8 This policy will underpin and sit alongside any additional local policies and procedural guidance, as well as the RNIB Safeguarding Policy and Procedures, which will be clearly cross-referenced to procedural arrangements set down by the Local Safeguarding Children Board.

Frequently asked questions

1.  What are the hours of the job?

We provide a service 52 weeks of the year, 24/7.

Full time - (36 hours per week) is a shift pattern consisting of early's (7am to 2.30 or 4pm) and late's (1.30pm to 10pm) Monday to Sunday with 2 days off each week. This is a rolling 3 week roster. It does include working weekends and bank holidays (including Christmas day). You will have 1 weekend off in 3, so you would work 2 weekends and then have 1 off.

The Team leader sets your roster.

2.  Can I choose my shift pattern and hours?

No, these are pre-determined to meet the needs of the children and young people.

3.  What is the salary?

£15,921 - £24,162 pro rata per annum for full time. Care staff can achieve performance related pay increments.

4.  What does the work involve?

Based within the Children's Home, you will work as a member of a team to provide personal and social care support for children and young people with sight loss and multiple complex needs in their home.

You will work to the high standard expected by RNIB and legislative requirements. You will follow the young people's individual care plans to enable them to lead full lives and develop their independence towards adulthood.

Further information about RNIB Pears Centre can be found at www.rnib.org.uk/pearscentre

You must be able to provide a high level of supervision and care support to vulnerable young people. You need to have good awareness and be able to plan ahead.

5.  What sort of disabilities do the young people have?

The young people are all blind or partially sighted and have disabilities which include severe learning disability, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, developmental delay, autism, anxiety and limited communication skills. Some young people behave in ways which can be very challenging, including harming themselves or others. Some young people are wheelchair users and require adult support to complete all daily living tasks.

6.  Is it one to one caring?

You will be part of a team, but after training you will also be supporting young people on a one to one basis within their home. This will include meeting all of their individual intimate care needs such as having a bath and using the toilet, helping them to eat and drink, administering their medication, accessing the community, supporting them with positive behaviour management techniques and developing their social and communication skills. You will be based in one bungalow with a group of young people, but may need to work in another area of the Children's Home to meet the needs of the service as a whole.

7.  Would it be possible to look round the site?

If you are successful at interview, you will need to come and visit the Children's Home and have a look around. It can be very challenging working within the Children's Home, so you need to understand about the work you will be involved in and the young people you will support.

8.  What experience or qualifications do I need to start the job?

Experience is not essential and you do not need qualifications to join us as we will help you achieve these. Full training will be given. You will be expected to start your Diploma Level 3 in Caring for Children and Young People training after your 6 month probation period is completed. You need to demonstrate that you have the right transferable skills to meet the demands of the job.

9.  What is the annual leave entitlement?

25 days annual leave plus 8 days public / bank holidays, a total of 33 days leave per year. An additional day's annual leave will be granted on the anniversary of your start date, to a maximum of 27 days annual leave per annum (maximum 35 days leave per year).

10.  Further details

Ahead of applying for this role we would advise that you read our Statement of Purpose, which provides more details regarding Pears Centre along with our key aims and goals. This can be found on an additional web link on the advert on the RNIB's job pages.

For an informal chat to discuss any aspect of the role in more detail please contact Melanie Gibson, Administrator (Children's Home), on 02476 369553 or RNIB Job description

Job title: Social Care Worker – Full time

Job level cluster: Support / Delivery

Job level: S1

Salary: £16,080 - £17,269 per annum - Future potential up to £24,404 p.a.

Group: RNIB Places

Section: RNIB Pears Centre for Specialist Learning

Unit: Children's Home

Location: RNIB Pears Centre, Ash Green, Coventry.

Reports to: Registered Manager

Vacancy ref: PEARSCW01

Purpose of job

Working to support the teams who provide care and support for young people with sight loss and complex needs, to the high standard expected by RNIB and in line with legislative requirements.

Impact:

No line management responsibility

Financial responsibility:

No budget responsibility

Decision making responsibility:

Understands organisational practice and requirements relating to own work area and uses this to improve outcomes

Main accountabilities

1.  To support the care team to maintain the needs and welfare of the young people as the main focus of the job.

2.  Practice according to all local and RNIB policy and procedure, according to legislative regulation and requirement, whilst maintaining confidentiality as appropriate.

3.  Help maintain a homely environment and happy relaxed atmosphere within the home, ensuring that the young people have support to access age and developmentally appropriate activities.

4.  Assist young people with their daily care needs, maintaining their dignity at all times, carrying out their individual development programmes and when required supporting therapy programmes.

5.  Assist the young people in selecting a wide range of choices around mealtimes, leisure activities and clothing.

6.  Ensure highest standards of safety, hygiene and cleanliness at all times.

7.  Ensure the cultural and religious needs of the young people are met.

8.  To attend relevant training sessions when required.

9.  Report matters of concern immediately to the Senior Care Management Team. Any safeguarding concerns must be reported to a designated member of the safeguarding team.

10.  Carry out any other reasonable tasks, as may be required by senior management, from time to time.

Person Specification

All criteria are essential unless otherwise stated.

11.  Specialist knowledge, skills and experience

1.1 Experience of working or taking part effectively within a team.

1.2 Some experience of working to policy and procedure and understanding of working confidentially.

Desirable

1.3 Some knowledge or experience of working with young people.

1.4 A qualification in childcare.

12.  Problem solving and creative skills

2.1 Ability to take responsibility for own actions and contribute to decision making where appropriate.

2.2 Ability to remain calm and self-controlled under pressure.

2.3 Demonstrate willingness to commit to professional learning and development and competence assessment.

13.  Communication skills

Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, adapting style to suit the audience, and giving appropriate information only.

14.  Equal opportunities

Ability to understand and demonstrate commitment to RNIB’s Equal Opportunities Policy and to ensure all activities are consistent with the Equal Opportunities Policy. This includes all staff activities and their interface with the general public.

15.  Special conditions

5.1 Appointment is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Services Check for regulated activity

5.2 Willing to learn or able to us a computer

Behaviours

Deliver results

·  Shows Commitment to continuous personal learning and development which supports the delivery of outstanding service.

Engage customers

·  Prepared to go the extra mile to exceed customer expectations.

Engage others

·  Ability to build and sustain strong support relationships with colleagues and customers and others which engenders trust and respect and contributes to team and organisation’s profile and reputation.

Set direction

·  Demonstrates awareness of commercial and financial considerations.

·  Ability to identify opportunities for innovation and creativity which contribute to team’s goals and continued success.

·  Cooperates and is open to possibilities of change, responds positively to change and considers ways to implement and adapt to change.

Lead and inspire

·  Shows willingness to take responsibility for own action.

·  Able to remain calm and focused under pressure.

·  Displays resilience and takes a rational approach.

Personal impact

·  Experience of communicating clearly, concisely, accurately and appropriate to the audience.