Senior Residential Support Worker

JOB TITLE: SENIOR RESIDENTIAL SUPPORT WORKER (Learning Disabilities)

REPORTING TO: REGISTERED MANGER/DEPUTY MANAGER

GRADE: SRSW

GRADE: RESIDENTIAL SUPPORT WORKERS

JOB SUMMARY

Learning disabilities jobs can be among the most rewarding of careers in support work. You will be expected to maintain the development of positive childcare practice for children with Learning disabilities 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. We expect you to be patient and able to support young people when upset using de-escalation.

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

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Ensure that you adhere to the protection of children standard; ‘children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe’.
Safeguarding Responsibilities
- To promote the responsive safeguarding culture during shifts.
- 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, in the absence of the Deputy Manager and the Registered Manager you will be responsible for reporting Safeguarding matters.
- 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. To be able to produce factual and clear records to your line manager.
- 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, as a senior you may be expected to produce a report.
- 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.
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.
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.
Taking responsibility for a young person and being the key person for that individual including liaising with social workers, schools and outside agencies where appropriate in line with the individuals care plan.
To maintain standards of good practice always, establishing purposeful and constructive relationships and appropriate role modelling to support workers and 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.
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. As a senior you are expected to oversee that support workers are ensuring they meet the communication needs of the young people.
Assistance with the induction and settling in of new children to the home and be aware of the admissions policy.
Taking a key role in the development of programmes that support the young people both individually and collectedly.
Undertake on a regular basis a specific area of administrative work as required.
Ensure that the company’s communications channels are used effectively for the dissemination of information, instruction and reporting back within the home and that staff are fully conversant with their duties, levels of responsibilities and rights.
Ensure that the care and wellbeing of the young people is maintained at the highest level at all times and that this care reflects the needs and is appropriate for the young people of both sexes and if necessary, young people of varied ethnic origins, by monitoring that all staff undertaking their duties in a responsible manner and by taking appropriate action to remedy any unsatisfactory performance, including the identification of any further staff training needs.
Seek to maintain the maximum level of individuality and independence of the children and young people. Encourage communication and interaction within the home in order to broaden and stimulate interests.
Ensure all young people have access to the required health care appropriate to their needs and that their health care needs are kept under regular planned review.
Contribute towards reports to statutory and case reviews as required.
Establish and maintain good relationships with the local community and encourage the help of volunteers with the home for the benefit of the young people, always liaising with the appropriated company manager over the approval and use of volunteers.
Encourage, stimulate and participate in social activities for the benefit of the young people. Take responsibility for the relevant administration of the home’ and entertainment and travel allowance.
Comply with the statutory legislation requirements, i.e. Care Standards, Children’s Homes Regulations 2015 and Ofsted.
Always comply with the requirements of the Company’s Standard Operating Procedures and all supplementary instructions or amendments, ensure all staff comply with the Standard Operating Procedures as they apply to them.
Assist the Deputy Manager and Registered Manager with administration tasks.
Ensure that due attention is given by all staff to the fire, health and safety and welfare matters throughout the home.
Always co-operate with social workers and other relevant professionals in carrying out their duties and responsibilities in so far as they effect the home and the company.
Seek advice from senior staff as appropriate on all matters where the proper course of action is unclear, and guidance is required.
Attend company meetings and training as required.
To contribute to good practice standards within the company by identifying and highlighting service shortfalls and planning methods of development to improve services though company policies and procedures.
Always represent the company in a responsible professional manner.
To undertake such other duties as may be required or become necessary from time to time for the effective management and running of the home.

TEAM WORK

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.
To carry out shift leading, being responsible for the planning of the shift, delegation of tasks and supervising and guiding colleagues.
To promote equality and diversity with groups of diverse children and adults.
To be a positive role model for colleagues, children and young people.
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.
To work in other homes for support as this may be required from time to time.

HOUSEHOLD DUTIES

The delivery of general daily care to children and young people including, providing nutritious meals, laundry, mending clothes, food shopping, attending health appointments, cleaning, supervision of activities, driving escort duties, 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.
To provide and maintain high levels of cleanliness to provide the children with a homely environment.
To maintain health and safety and fire regulations to ensure the home is safe for children, adults and visitors.

TRAINING

This role requires a commitment to undertake training as required for full understanding of duties.
To commit to personal development, induction and continuous professional development.

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, and or autism or involvement with as a paid worker, volunteer, carer or as part of a family Experience in Care and control of children and young people who have an Education Care and Health Plan who also display challenging	Experience in the role of a support worker and or key worker with children or adults learning disabilities
Knowledge	Understanding of child development and children’s physical and emotional needs Good interpersonal skills	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	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 Commitment to further relevant training and personal development Able to demonstrate an understanding of children and young people’s needs and their development.	Can demonstrate personal emotional resilience
Qualifications	Diploma or working towards Level 3 Health & Social Care Children and Young People. Maths and English. Autism Awareness.	Related professional qualifications and formal qualifications in respect to social care and residential work with children and or other
Equality and Diversity	Accepting and being commitment 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.