Support Worker required in Felixstowe
- 4-8 hours available per week (usually at weekends)
- £12.71 per hour
- Job Ref: 5317
Job description
Although this job description is correct at present, it may change from time to time after negotiation with the post holder.
Must have the right to work in the UK to apply for this role, sponsorship not available.
Job purpose
I am looking for a support worker for 4 hours per week to help take me out into the community to complete a variety of different activities. I can struggle to access community settings due to having autism and a learning disability, I would like someone who I can trust to support me to do this safely.
About me
I live in Felixstowe with my Mum. My Dad lives in Ipswich, and I spend 3 nights per week there.
I am a cheerful cheeky chap!
I am autistic and have global developmental delay, interior ventricular haemorrhage and left moderate hearing loss. I have Exotropia and Nystagmus, I am prescribed glasses, but I don’t wear them, I would prefer to spin or break them.
I am a visual learner and love sensory input.
I go to a specialist school in Ipswich and have an Education, Health, Care Plan (EHCP).
We have two cats at home called Jeffery and Lara.
Things I like:
· Trampoline, Peanut ball, Egg spinning chair
· Being pushed in my buggy
· Spinning things in my hands by rolling them.
· Hitting things on my head or onto surfaces to get sensory feedback.
· Quiet time and space, I will take myself to my safe space or sensory cupboard and be shut in there.
· Going to the park, particularly the slide currently.
· Going to the beach (I would run into the sea)
· I love swimming in the sea or a swimming pool. I love water play and the hot tub.
· Crunchy foods such as biscuits and crisps.
Things I don’t like:
· People touching me, my toys or sensory equipment.
· People being in my space when I don’t want it.
· Going into busy/noisy environments can make me go hyper and more excited for a period of time. I will almost always then become dysregulated and grumpy.
How I communicate:
I will take your hand and guide you to what I want. I started doing PECS phase 1 at nursery. I understand some single word commands such as bedtime, bath time, food and let’s go. I do Intensive interaction at home and in school, and we use objects of reference such as nappy = pad change, bottle = drink, clothes = going out. I may give you a random object to show I want something but may not be the right object, you need to then try and guess what I want! I know the word “ta” to give you something I have. I will make loud, high-pitched sounds when I am happy but may sound angry.
Main Duties and Responsibilities:
· To help with personal care tasks such as washing/ dressing and toileting
· To support me to access a variety of different community settings.
· To promote a total communication approach utilising a variety of different verbal and nonverbal communications technics to interact with me.
· Engage in intensive interactions and support my development through play.
· Support my emotional wellbeing and help me to maintain regulation.
· Be aware of my sensory needs and how to support me to calm down if I do become dysregulated.
· To support safe moving and handling whilst out in the community.
· To keep me safe.
Personal Specification
(refer to these when submitting your application)
Essential Criteria
· Care certificate must be achieved within the first 12 weeks of employment.
· Ability to work without direct supervision and able to use own initiative.
· Good interpersonal and communication skills.
· Good verbal and written skills.
· Good observation and reporting skills.
· Good level of self-awareness and interest in self-development. Able to undertake Breakaway and Personal Intervention Training.
· Motivational skills for self and others and enthusiastic.
· Previous experience in a care/support role.
· Awareness of professional boundaries in relation to client care.
· Understanding of issues surrounding confidentiality.
· Awareness and understanding of equality and diversity issues.
· Able to travel independently.
· Flexible and adaptable.
· Respectful of the service user’s individual needs and requirements within their own environment.
Desirable Criteria
· Lived or work experience of people with learning disabilities, autism and brain injury.
Summary terms and conditions
· Hours, days and times of work: Hours will vary dependent on need and are to be worked usually at weekends, but this may vary during school holidays. Days and times to be agreed with the employee at least 1 month in advance.
· Pay rate: £12.71 per hour
· Annual leave: The annual holiday entitlement for this position will be equivalent to the work normally done during 5.6 weeks (statutory entitlement).
· Expenses: You will be reimbursed for prior agreed expenses incurred as part of the role.
· Sick pay: I do not operate a private sick pay scheme but provided you meet the eligibility criteria, you may be entitled to Statutory Sick Pay (SSP).
· Pension: I do not operate a private pension scheme but I will fulfil my statutory obligations via the NEST pension scheme.
The post is subject to the following
· Background check: A satisfactory Enhanced with Barred List Disclosure and Barring Service check is required for this position.
o If you have been convicted of a criminal offence, please send these details to SIL in a separate email or in a sealed envelope together with a stamped addressed envelope. This will not be shared unless you are shortlisted for the post.
References: If successful, you will be required to provide details of two referees, one of which must be your current or most recent employer, or character references if you have not been employed (this cannot be a family member).
· Trial period: This post is subject to a probationary period of 6 months.
How to apply
If you wish to apply for this position, please complete an application form and return it to SIL, quoting the job reference number 5317.
Please refer to the job description.
Online form: https://www.suffolkindependentliving.org.uk/application-form-1
Email: [email protected] Telephone: 01473 603876
Post - Address: SIL, Unit 21, IP City Centre, 1 Bath Street, Ipswich, IP2 8SD
Pay: £12.71 per hour
Experience:
- working in a carer/support role: 1 year (required)
- working with people with learning disabilities: 1 year (preferred)
- working with people with a brain injury: 1 year (preferred)
Work Location: In person
