Post title: Senior Support Worker
Salary: £14.25P/H
Working Hours: 37 hours
Responsible to: Area Registered Manager
Accountable to: Directors
Base: Available: Louth
Job Summary:
The Senior Support Worker is responsible for leading and supporting a team of staff within the service(s) they are responsible for. They will oversee the day-to-day delivery of person-centred support, ensuring individuals are empowered to live as independently as possible while maintaining their safety, dignity, and wellbeing.
The role involves leading and mentoring staff, coordinating shifts and ensuring compliance with organisational policies and regulatory requirements. The Senior Support Worker supports the implementation of care plans, risk assessments, safeguarding procedures, and medication management, while promoting best practice and positive outcomes for service users.
Working closely with individuals, families, the Senior Management Team, healthcare professionals, and other external agencies, the Senior Support Worker helps ensure that each person receives tailored support that reflects their needs, preferences, and aspirations. They act as a role model for the team, fostering a positive and inclusive environment that encourages independence, choice, community participation, and continuous improvement in service delivery.
Key Responsibilities:
- Leadership and Team Management
- Lead, motivate, and support a team of Support Workers to deliver high-quality person-centred care.
- Act as a role model, demonstrating best practice and promoting positive values.
- Provide day-to-day informal supervision, guidance, and mentoring to staff.
- Allocate duties and coordinate staffing to ensure service users' needs are met.
- Conduct staff handovers and team meetings.
- Support the induction, training, and development of new and existing staff.
- Monitor staff performance and address practice issues appropriately.
- Promote teamwork, professionalism, and a positive working environment.
- Person-Centred Support
- Ensure individuals receive support that is tailored to their needs, preferences, and goals.
- Support people to develop independence, life skills, and community participation.
- Promote choice, dignity, privacy, and respect at all times.
- Encourage service users to make informed decisions about their lives.
- Assist individuals to achieve personal outcomes identified in their support plans.
- Advocate for the rights and wellbeing of people supported.
Care Planning and Reviews
- Oversee the implementation of support plans, risk assessments, and positive behaviour support plans.
- Regularly review support documentation to ensure it remains accurate and person-centred.
- Participate in service user reviews and multidisciplinary meetings.
- Monitor progress towards individual goals and outcomes.
- Identify changing needs and escalate concerns appropriately.
- Ensure compliance with safeguarding policies and procedures.
- Recognise and report concerns relating to abuse, neglect, exploitation, or poor practice.
- Promote safe working practices throughout the service.
- Ensure all incidents, accidents, and near misses are reported and recorded accurately.
- Support investigations relating to safeguarding or complaints when required.
- Maintain a safe environment for service users, visitors, and staff.
Medication Management
- Administer, record, and monitor medication in accordance with company policy and regulatory requirements.
- Conduct weekly medication audits and stock checks.
- Ensure staff are competent and appropriately trained in medication administration.
- Report medication errors and implement learning from incidents.
- Liaise with healthcare professionals regarding medication changes.
Health and Wellbeing Support
- Support individuals to access healthcare services and appointments.
- Monitor and report changes in physical health, mental health, and emotional wellbeing.
- Promote healthy lifestyles, nutrition, exercise, and personal care.
- Work collaboratively with healthcare professionals and external agencies
Positive Behaviour Support
- Support staff in implementing Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) strategies.
- Promote proactive approaches to managing behaviours that challenge.
- Ensure incidents are recorded and reviewed appropriately.
- Help staff understand communication needs and behavioural triggers.
- Encourage least restrictive practices in line with legislation and best practice.
Quality Assurance and Compliance
- Assist in maintaining compliance with CQC standards, organisational policies, and relevant legislation.
- Complete weekly medication and finance audits.
- Monitor and improve standards of care and support.
- Ensure accurate and timely record keeping.
- Contribute to service improvement plans and quality initiatives
Administration and Documentation
- Ensure clear, accurate, and confidential records are maintained for all people receiving support.
- Ensure all necessary paperwork is completed for the people receiving support e.g. daily notes, incident reports, communication logs, monitoring forms etc.
- Prepare reports for management and external professionals when required.
- Ensure service user files are up to date and compliant.
Communication and Partnership Working
- Liaise with families, advocates, social workers, healthcare professionals, and other stakeholders.
- Build positive working relationships with internal and external partners.
- Ensure effective communication between shifts and team members.
- Operational Responsibilities
- Rota management and staffing arrangements, ensuring the rota meets the needs of the people receiving support.
- Manage emergencies and respond appropriately to incidents.
- Support recruitment activities, including interviews and probation reviews where delegated.
- Professional Responsibilities
- Maintain confidentiality and comply with GDPR requirements.
- Work in accordance with the Health and Social Care Act, Mental Capacity Act, Equality Act, and other relevant legislation.
- Undertake mandatory training and continuing professional development.
- Demonstrate commitment to equality, diversity, inclusion, and person-centred values.
Qualifications/Training:
- Essential Qualifications
- Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care (or equivalent).
- Desirable Qualifications:
- NVQ/QCF Level 4 or 5 in Health and Social Care Leadership and Management.
Experience:
Essential
- Experience supporting people with additional support needs in a supported living, residential, or community setting.
- Experience of leading, supervising, or mentoring staff.
- Experience of developing and implementing person-centred support plans.
- Experience of medication administration and record keeping.
- Experience of safeguarding vulnerable people and reporting concerns appropriately.
- Experience working in partnership with families, healthcare professionals, and external agencies.
Desirable
- Experience acting as a shift leader or senior support worker
- Experience supporting individuals with complex needs, autism, mental health conditions, or behaviours that challenge.
- Experience participating in audits, quality assurance processes, or service improvement initiatives.
- Knowledge
Essential
- Understanding of person-centred approaches and outcome-focused support.
- Knowledge of safeguarding procedures and responsibilities.
- Understanding of the Mental Capacity Act and best-interest decision making.
- Knowledge of health and safety requirements within care services.
- Understanding of equality, diversity, inclusion, and human rights principles.
- Knowledge of medication administration and safe handling procedures.
- Awareness of CQC standards and regulatory requirements.
- Understanding of the ‘Right Care, Right Support, Right Culture’ guidance.
- Desirable
- Knowledge of Positive Behaviour Support and trauma-informed care.
- Knowledge of least restrictive practices legislation and best practice.
Understanding of supported living models and community-based support services.
Skills and Competencies:
- Strong leadership and team-working skills.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to motivate, support, and develop staff.
- Effective problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
- Ability to prioritise workload and manage competing demands.
- Competent in maintaining accurate and confidential records.
- Ability to build positive relationships with service users, families, and professionals.
- Ability to respond calmly and effectively in challenging situations.
- Good IT skills, including the use of electronic care records and Microsoft Office applications.
Additional Requirements:
- Full UK Driving Licence and access to a vehicle.
- Willingness to travel between company locations to attend meetings or other appointments etc.
- Satisfactory Enhanced DBS check.
- Commitment to equality, diversity, inclusion, and person-centred care.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: £14.25 per hour
Work Location: In person
