Relief Practitioner | Wernham House

Job title: Relief Support Practitioner | Wernham House

Responsible to: Independent Living Service Manager

Responsible for: Volunteers

Hours of work: This role offers flexible working, including mornings, evenings and weekends

Salary: £13.46 per hour plus annual leave allowance

Vacancies : 4

SSSC registration level: Practitioner

Required qualifications: A qualification of N/SVQ3 in Care, or equivalent or the willingness and ability to attain this within five years.

Main Responsibilities: Lead and participate in the provision of a high standard of person-led care and support for service users in their own homes, in line with individual care plans and risk assessments, organisational policies, national standards, codes of practice and legislation.

Communicate effectively with service users, families and multi-disciplinary teams, record appropriate care notes and create a safe, positive and enabling environment.

Job activities

• Work shifts as required, including evenings/weekends/night hours, working effectively as part of a team
• Form, develop, sustain and maintain relationships with Service Users through person-centred, trauma informed emotional and practical care and support
• Assess and review Service Users' strengths and needs through accurate & appropriate information gathering, professional recording and case management
• Ensure that the basic humanistic needs of Service Users are addressed and met and where required assist Service Users with medication and personal care (food, prompt bathing, continence etc) 
• Support Service Users with alcohol and substance use/mental health issues using harm minimisation approach and recovery models
• Intervene in a crisis to effectively pre-empt and/or de-escalate accidents and incidents
• Engage in partnership working by liaising/working in compliance with Confidentiality and GDPR with a wide range of agencies on behalf of the Service User, including but not limited to Social Work, Housing, Health and Social Care, Police, Courts, Department for Work & Pensions, utility companies, debt agencies, statutory authorities, and other third sector agencies
• Assist in the protection of Service Users from risk of harm and work with other agencies to ensure appropriate Safeguarding
• Ensure that Service Users' views remain paramount, provide agreed advocacy on Service Users' behalf and generally assist with communication issues and ensure that potential obstacles such as literacy & numeracy are assessed and addressed
• Work with Service Users to tackle debts, budget and maximise their income
• Plan/participate and assist Service User involvement in quality social activities on a one-to-one and group basis.
• Assist with the day-to-day issues relating to the building from where the service is delivered (health & safety, cleaning, other maintenance, etc)
• Carry out other relevant work commensurate with the post as required

Systems

• Professional recording and maintenance of records in relation to Service User case management- PASS
• Online Learning Management System- organisation and service-specific training
• Day-to-day operation of service -appointments, planners, meetings
• Microsoft Office: Word, Email, SharePoint, Teams

Aims, values and behaviours 

• To be respectful of and work in accordance with the core values and behaviours of the organisation including a commitment to work with those with the most challenging needs to ensure that they have every opportunity to avoid further exclusion
• To respect and work in accordance with our Equality and Diversity Policy and ensure its promotion in the course of your daily work
• Have a duty to take care of your own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by your actions at work
• Co-operate with employers and co-workers to help everyone meet their legal requirements
• Raise any specific queries or concerns you have regarding your workplace with your line manager or health and safety representative

Essential Role Requirements and Quality Standards

• A qualification of N/SVQ3 in Care, or equivalent or the willingness and ability to attain this within five years.
• Experience in a social care, trauma informed environment in a voluntary or paid
• Have an understanding of current social justice issues i.e homelessness, mental health, substance misuse. social isolation
• Literacy, numeracy and IT skills at a level to maintain all appropriate records, professional communication, care plans and provide budgeting guidance
• Maintain professional confidentiality and boundaries at all times
• Be willing to develop skills used when supporting people through reflective practice, personal and professional development and supervision
• Register with the Scottish Social Services Council and work to all appropriate legislation, standards and contractual and regulatory requirements including Health and Social Care, Care Inspectorate, Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator and Environmental Health

Key Capabilities

• Interpersonal understanding - listens and understands expressed feelings; demonstrates concern for others; encourages others to express themselves
• Emotional awareness - manages strong emotions and responds constructively; keeps own feelings in check; deals with stress
• Flexibility - adapts easily to changes at work; modifies behaviour in response to a situation; sees the merits of differing viewpoints
• Initiative - takes responsibility; looks ahead and anticipates what needs to be done; is able to assess and manage risks
• Team working - contributes fully to teamwork; establishes positive relationships with the team
• Working within Professional Boundaries - Demonstrates professional curiosity; accepts responsibility for own work; seeks and uses professional support; understands the principle of confidentiality
• Developing others - case management responsibility for developing service users' skills; encourages initiatives in problem solving and making informed choices