Senior Support Worker (Positive Behaviour Support)
Location: Rosewood -Cornford Lane, Pembury, Kent
Hours of Work: Full-Time (40 hours per week)
Rolling 2 weekly rota of early and late shifts plus alternate weekends.
Hourly Rate: £15.16 per hour.
https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/positive-behaviour-support-pbs
MUST BE A DRIVER AND HOLD A UK DRIVING LICENCE
Equal Opportunity/Accessibility and Accommodations Statement:
As a Disability Confident employer, Aspens Charities is committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for individuals with disabilities. We actively promote the recruitment, retention, and career development of people with disabilities, recognising the invaluable contributions they make to our organisation. We are dedicated to ensuring an accessible recruitment process for all candidates. If you require any accommodations during the application or interview process, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Aspens’ mission is to provide high-quality care and support to individuals on the autism spectrum and with learning disabilities; meeting their needs and aspirations and empowering them to learn and grow through an integrated network of services across the South-East.
We provide support and care to children, families and adults across Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex, Brighton and Hove, Surrey and the London Borough of Bexley. Our services include registered care homes; supported living; community outreach; day services, including pathways to employment; children and young people’s groups and support; specialist support; and free online support for families and carers across the South-East.
About the role:
Rosewood is one of our supported living- Positive Behaviour Support Services for individuals that require a higher level of specialised support. Rosewood accommodates 4 individuals who all have challenging behaviour and need at least 1-1 support 24 hours a day.
We support a number of individuals with varying needs including autism, learning disabilities, Tourette’s, FND, and ADHD. Sometimes the people we support find it difficult to communicate effectively so our staff need to be prepared to deal with complex and distressed behaviours on occasion; this might include physically supporting them to keep themselves and others safe from harm.
Quality of life is always our main focus so we actively encourage our staff to build up rapport with the people we support through shared fun activities. We have found that when people have a common interest, they are more likely to build trusting and enjoyable relationships. Out Specialist PBS Team will support with the development of goals and behaviour plans, always focusing on the strength of the individuals and progressing towards independence.
You will be working closely with service users who may be both verbal and non-verbal, whom will need additional support throughout their daily life.
As a senior you will be working closely to one individual. They are non-verbal and have challenging behaviours that can result in self-harm or harm to others. Any behaviour is a way of communication and can cause distress for the service user and those around them - it is key that you allow time to get to know them understand each other and great a lovely bond.
You would also support service users in the highs of their days; engage in activities that they love, such as spending time with animals, going swimming, listening to music and reading magazines!
The qualities that are important to the people we support are:
· Being consistent and maintaining boundaries
· Having a sense of humour and being able to take a joke
· Being confident and able to motivate
· Being good at de-escalating moments of stress
· Being fit and active
· Happy to participate with community activities such as badminton, swimming, football and going to the gym.
· Be able to communicate and have a positive attitude
The qualities that the team, professionals and families think are important:
· Confidence in maintaining agreed boundaries
· Being able to follow behaviour support plans and contracts
· Experience in de-fusing and de-escalating more difficult moments whilst keeping calm and relaxed
· Having a good sense of humour
· Being a clear and concise communicator
· Complete comprehensive daily notes and reports
· Being proactive in supporting independence and quality of life
· Being able to work in a low-arousal way, minimising any overwhelming sensory input
· An understanding of how to support someone with complex needs in a way that promotes independent and autonomy
· Excellent communication skills including using Makaton signing and Picture Exchange Communication systems (training will be given)
· Having a fun and sensitive approach
· Willingness to complete activities that the people we support enjoy
· Sourcing new activities
· Maintain a budget
· Be organised and able to prioritise workload
· Be able to work within a diverse team
· To supervise and mentor PBS support staff
This is a unique opportunity for ambitious and experienced support workers and would particularly suit anyone with an interest in Positive Behaviour Support and transforming people’s lives. You will be provided with full training and support in order to make a success of the role.
We are looking for people who are energetic, hard-working, and passionate about supporting others; you will have extensive experience of supporting people with complex needs and experience in PBS; however, we will support the right candidates to develop these skills if necessary. We welcome applications from people who have experience in adult social care and PBS, but also from anyone with a background in psychology or therapeutic interventions; we will provide additional training and accredited qualifications to develop the team’s skills.
Essential Requirements
- NVQ L3 in Health and Social Care or Positive Behaviour Support, or willingness to work towards this qualification. If you do not already hold a Positive Behaviour Support Qualification, you will be required to complete one (up to L5) as part of this role.
- Medication competency.
- Experience supporting people with learning disabilities, autism, associated health needs, and behaviours of concern.
- Experience in a residential, supported living, or similar care environment.
- Previous experience leading or supervising a team.
- Knowledge of safeguarding and whistleblowing procedures.
- Caring, calm and empathetic approach with strong communication, problem-solving and teamwork skills.
- Good English, maths and IT skills.
What We Offer:
- Comprehensive paid training and excellent career progression opportunities, including recognised qualifications in health and social care
- Paid DBS check
- Flexible work arrangements, with the option to take on additional bank shifts
- Generous annual leave (pro rata based on hours), with entitlement increasing with length of service
- Nest Pension and Death in Service benefit
- Access to a dedicated Employee Assistance Programme and Mental Health First Aiders
- Blue Light Card discounts
- 20% discount at Aspens High Street Stores for all staff
- Discounted staff menu available at the Bluebell Café (Pembury)
- Refer a Friend scheme - earn up to £250 for every successful referral
- Employee recognition programmes, including ‘Employee of the Month’
We’re looking for passionate individuals to help us ensure that every person we support lives a fulfilling life with dignity and independence.
Apply now and one of our team members will reach out to discuss the role further.
If shortlisted, we will contact you directly to schedule an interview. We strive to respond to all applicants; however, if you have not received a response within a reasonable timeframe, please feel free to contact us for a status update or feedback (where available). After the interview, you will be notified of the outcome. If successful, you’ll receive a formal offer in writing. Upon acceptance, we’ll guide you through the onboarding process, providing you with all the details you need.
Please note, any offer of employment will be subject to Disclosure and Barring checks (which we will arrange on your behalf if you don’t already have one) and satisfactory employment references.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: £15.16 per hour
Benefits:
- Company events
- Company pension
- Discounted or free food
- Employee discount
- Free parking
- On-site parking
- Paid training
- Referral programme
- Store discount
Application question(s):
- You hold a UK driving Licence ?
- Are you currently in a position of PBS Senior Support worker and working towards a level 4 or 5 PBS qualification?
Experience:
- working with Behaviours that challenge : 1 year (required)
Work authorisation:
- United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person
