Job Description

Job title:                     Support Worker

Accountable to:

Service Manager

Accountable for:

The post holder will have no direct line management
responsibilities

 Job Purpose

 To provide high quality support to individuals in their own homes / tenancies / within
Freeways & Freeways Trust buildings and accommodation or in the community on the
basis of assessed need, person centered plans, risk assessments and related support
that meet the requirements of Freeways contracts.

Key Responsibilities and Objectives

  To  promote  the  values  underpinning  the  provision  of  support  and  the
rights,  choice,  privacy,

individuality,

identity,

importance  of  promoting
independence, dignity, respect and partnership.

  To  actively  promote  equal  opportunities  and  challenge  prejudice  or
discrimination; through formal and safeguarding procedures where appropriate.

  To practice in a professional manner, including using appropriate

communication methods and confidentiality, understanding the responsibilities
and limitations of a worker’s relationship with service users, other colleagues,
families and friends of the service user and outside agencies.

  To develop and operate within a clear understanding of Freeways policies and

procedures and any relevant contractual requirements.

  To respond to the particular needs of individual service users in relation to the
nature  of  their  learning  disability  or  other  support  need  (including  mental  or
physical health).

  To act as a Link or Key Worker for named service users and to oversee the co-
ordination of their plans.  To support service users to self-advocate where they
have capacity and to follow the Mental Capacity Act where they do not.

  To complete and maintain written records as required.
  Promoting informed choice and to provide signposting support to service users

to work towards independence from the service.

  To  support  service  users  to  manage  their  money  themselves  or  work  towards

this.

  When required, support service users with personal care, to complete domestic
tasks and maintain their home.  This support may include but is not limited to:
personal  care,  shopping,  cleaning,  cooking,  making  and  attending
appointments.

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  To support service users to maintain, build and develop relationships with

others.

  To actively and positively support service user holidays and activities.
  To bring to the attention of a manager any matter of concern over the wellbeing,

safety or safeguarding of an individual we support or employ.

  When working unsupervised (including lone working) having due regard to on
call procedures, to take appropriate responsibility for the proper running of the
shift/session/activity and manage own workload.

  To be aware of the regulatory frameworks within which you work and to keep up
to date with national, organisational and local developments which affect your
work.

  Where required and authorised, to drive the vehicles used by the individuals we
support and to participate in ensuring the upkeep and maintainence of any such
vehicles.

  To work in multiple sites as required depending on business need.


In line with the Health & Safety Policy, to be responsible for matters relating to
personal health and safety and the health and safety of others.  To ensure that
current health and safety regulations are met.

  The post holder will need to develop a clear understanding of their role, in line

with the competency framework, within the organisational structure and
participate in regular supervisions and annual appraisals.

  To be responsible for your continual personal development and undertake

training as required.

  The post holder will be expected to participate in full induction and the

completion of the care certificate.  Failure to complete the care certificate may
result in the termination of employment.

 Special Notes and Conditions

Actual working hours will be as agreed by your line manager.  Your hours of work will
vary depending on operational needs and may include unsocial hours.

Within operational services weekend and evening activities are an integral part of the
service we provide.  You will be required to work during evenings and/or weekends as
the service requires.  This may include sleep-in and waking nights.

This  job  description  only  contains  the  main  duties  relating  to  this post  and  does  not
describe in detail all the tasks required to carry them out.

Post holders may be asked to undertake any task commensurate with their band.

All job descriptions will be subject to review as appropriate and may be altered in line
with the requirements of the post. Any proposed changes will be discussed with the
post holder prior to change.

Created:
Revised:

February 2017

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Person Specification – Support Worker

Shortlisting  will  be  based  on  the  criteria  listed  below,  which  are  derived  from  the  Job
Description. Applicants should therefore explain in their application how they think they
meet  each  criterion  using  relevant  examples  from  previous  work  experience  and
community/voluntary/leisure activities, as appropriate.

Criteria:

Essential/
Desirable

Assessment
Method

Qualifications:
Diploma in Health & Social Care (level 2) or equivalent

Experience:
Experience of working with client group and/or with the
community.
Relevant life experience, volunteering or work
experience

Skills and Abilities:
Good communication skills at all levels.
Basic IT skills.
Positive role model.
Good basic literacy and numeracy skills.
To work co-operatively as part of a team.
Manage own workload.
Lone work – in accordance with Freeways procedures.

Knowledge/Understanding of:
Confidentiality and how to apply this in practice.
Safeguarding and whistle-blowing.
Welfare and benefits systems.

Values:
Understanding of and committed to tackling
discrimination and inequality.
Desire to enable independence and choice.
Commitment to ensuring service users are at the
centre of support provided.

Other Factors:
Willingness and ability to travel across the
geographical area as required.

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Application

Application/
Interview
Application/
Interview

Application/
Interview &
Assessment

Application/
Interview
Interview
Interview

Application/
Interview &
Assessment

Application

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