Residential Support Worker – Learning Disabilities

JOB TITLE: RESIDENTIAL SUPPORT WORKER- Learning Disabilities

REPORTING TO: SENIOR RESIDENTIAL SUPPORT WORKER (Senior shift individual)

GRADE: DEPENDENT ON RELEVANT SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE

JOB SUMMARY

To maintain the development of positive childcare practice in line with the aims and objectives of the company by providing a safe, warm and supportive environment for all children and young people.  This includes physical, social and emotional care and support for programmes designed to promote the emotional well-being of the children and young people cared for.

To carry out duties in line with all Company safeguarding expectations and policies and procedures at all times.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

  1. Ensure that you adhere to the protection of children standard; ‘children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe’.
  2. Safeguarding Responsibilities
    • To commit to personal development, induction and continuous professional development.
    • To be fully aware of and understand the duties and responsibilities arising from Children’s Act 2004 and Working Together in relation to child protection and safeguarding children and young people.
    • Make yourself aware of the safeguarding policy and all other safeguarding policies and procedures during induction, training and personal development. Stay up to date with changes in procedures.
    • You are required to make yourself aware of all plans that are in place to reduce the risk of harm to any child in the care of the home and follow these plans.
    • Know who the safeguarding leads are and how to report concerns and take a responsive approach to safeguarding matters.
    • To ensure that the line manager is made aware and kept fully informed of any concerns which the worker may have in relation to safeguarding and/or child protection.
    • Comply with all training in identifying signs of harm and abuse, and in particular how to protect children who have Learning Disabilities.
    • Respond immediately to any young person to keep them safe.
    • Make yourself aware of what to do if a young person makes a disclosure and how to evidence this via different communication methods to support children with learning disabilities.
    • Discuss any actual or emerging safeguarding concerns and to participate in reflective practice through the use of supervision.
    • You will be required to attend Strategy Meeting, Child Protection Case Conference if appropriate.
    • Keep accurate, objective records of any concerns or incidents, ensure the children are consulted via the different methods of communication used with children with learning disabilities, as per company safeguarding reporting procedures.
    • Complete body maps if required and ensure relevant people are notified so a conclusion is reached.
  3. To support children and young people to achieve their personal outcomes in relation to managing their daily life. This could include support to manage money, use transport, keep their home clean, prepare meals, use community leisure facilities, visit family and friends, attend school, college or work.
  4. To maintain standards of good practice always, establishing purposeful and constructive relationships and appropriate role modelling to assist with the development of each child’s life, activities, education, social skills and personal skills and in particular transitioning as this is a challenge for children with Learning Disabilities.
  5. It is important that you take steps to find out about each young person’s preferred method of communication, demonstrating active listening and always encouraging their communication, for example through words, pictures, signing or behaviour.
  6. To maintain and produce required records and reports as necessary in line with requirements and Children’s Regulations.
  7. To promote and encourage learning by the children and young people with any educational programmes, provisions and educational activities, to be able to communicate with non-verbal children and have training in Makaton, PEC’s and Social Stories.
  8. To participate on a shift basis by rota, demonstrating a level of commitment and flexibility to enable the efficient running of the home. This includes weekdays, evenings, weekends and sleep in duties.
  9. To act as a keyworker/link-worker for individual children, with supervision, including building trust, advising and acting as an advocate when necessary.
  10. Participation and assistance with social workers or other professional persons. Where applicable, to attend to and contribute to any child’s review, case conference, planning meetings as appropriate.
  11. To ensure all visitors to the home are appropriately vetted and securely signed into the home following safer working practices.
  12. Dealing with telephone enquiries, referring to the shift leader or management if necessary.
  13. To take appropriate action in line with line management instructions, as to ensure that children’s care plans are implemented and reviewed so that child’s stay is managed, their health, social and emotional development is monitored and appropriate opportunities are made available to them regardless of their disability ensuring you promote indivuality.
  14. Reporting missing children to all relevant individuals and agency’s including police, responsible local authority and those with parental responsibility, including completing reporting missing from care reports.
  15. To be able to support children when they get upset by understanding de-escalation, as a last resort to physically intervene if a child’s behaviour is dangerous to others or to themselves, in accordance with procedural guidance of the establishment and relevant legislation.
  16. To follow and adhere to child protection policies and procedures, children’s standards and legislation.
  17. You will assist people to access mainstream and specialist services and agencies that promote their health and wellbeing.
  18. Some of your time may involve providing physical care, assistance or promoting in accordance with the individual’s care plan, respecting their dignity and preferences. This could include supporting people to wash, dress, take medication or manage continence.

TEAM WORK

  1. To be a positive member of the team and be involved in the planning and organisation of the placement and total living environment of the children and young people.
  2. To carry out shift leading, being responsible for the planning of the shift, delegation of tasks and supervising and guiding colleagues.
  3. To attend regular staff meetings as required.
  4. To promote equality and diversity with groups of diverse children and adults, and to advocate for children with learning disabilities identifying barriers that can stop children from leading fulfilling lives.
  5. To be a positive role model for colleagues, children and young people.
  6. To be able to safely risk manage and identify potential harm to children, adults and the homes location and environment, in line with company policies and procedures.
  7. To work in other homes for support as this may be required from time to time.

HOUSEHOLD DUTIES

  1. The delivery of general daily care to children and young people with learning disabilities including, providing nutritious meals, laundry, mending clothes, food shopping, attending health appointments, cleaning, supervision of activities, driving escort duties, personal care, supporting with life skills and development and the possibility of supporting the child with washing, bathing and or personal care if the child requires this.
  2. To provide and maintain high levels of cleanliness to provide the children with a homely environment.
  3. To maintain health and safety and fire regulations to ensure the home is safe for children, adults and visitors.

TRAINING

  1. This role requires a commitment to undertake training as required for full understanding of duties.
  2. To commit to achieving the Level 3 Diploma for Residential Child Care within 2 years of commencing employment.

Note: Due to the nature of the service there will be additional requirements in line with changes in relevant legislation and child/young people requirements

Attributes
Essential Criteria
Desirable Criteria
Experience
At least 2 years’ experience working with children or adults who have learning and physical disabilities, children with autism or involvement with as a paid worker, volunteer, carer or as part of a family. Experience in Care and support of children and young people who have an Education Care and Health Plan who also display challenging behaviour.
Experience in the role of a support worker and or key worker.
Knowledge
Understanding of child development and children’s physical and emotional needs Good interpersonal skills Understanding of Safeguarding
Knowledge of legislation relating to children and young people (specifically children in care)
Skills
Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing, able to present information in an understandable way. Ability to record information. Able to manage time effectively planning own workload. Good observation skills. Able to work as part of a team. Able to work with children with challenging behaviour. Understanding Autism and learning disabilities.
Report writing and recording skills able to present information in an understandable way Negotiation and de-escalation skills Risk management and planning
Personal Qualities
Commitment to work to guidelines and policies. Able to work within policy and procedures and use own judgement appropriately. Ability to communicate with other agencies and professionals e.g. education, health, police etc. Commitment to keep children safe and protect them from harm Ability to manage stress in self and others.
Able to demonstrate an understanding of children and young people’s needs and their development.
Qualifications
Maths and English level 2 or equivalent qualifications. Commitment to further relevant training and personal development.
Level 2 Learning Disabilities. Level 3 Health and Social Care Children and Young People.
Equality and Diversity
Accepting and being committed to the principles underlying equal opportunities To show good understanding of the needs of all children and staff.
Knowledge of equality and diversity.
Other
Able to commit to flexible working including weekdays, evenings and weekends. Also completing sleep in duties. Must be mobile and willing to work in other homes when needed.
Flexible working Driver.