Description We provide support services for adults with a diagnosis of Learning disability from the age of 16 and above who may have varying support needs. This includes people with complex care needs, autism spectrum disorder, mental health needs, behaviour that may challenge, forensic / offending behaviour, or a combination of these. This may also involve possible transition/discharge work for people/in-patients from long stay hospital. We are looking for staff to join our team within the Housing Support and Care at Home service. This service provides support to individuals to live in and receive support from their home on a 24/7 basis. Due to the growth within the service, we have several posts across the city. You will work as part of a small team to promote individualised and person-centred support to individuals from their own homes to meet their physical, social, emotional and wellbeing needs. There is a strong focus on partnership working with professionals and key stakeholders to develop robust support plans including using positive behaviour support approaches, community engagement and future planning. The successful candidates will be required to work shifts on a planned rota system. This will include, early, mid, late and weekend shift working for which additional payments are made. Shifts will cover the period from 0700-2200. There may also be an opportunity to work sleepover shifts on a request basis for which additional payments are also made. Two consecutive days off in each seven-day period will be allocated. Stretches of work may mean that consecutive working days may exceed five days in a row over two working weeks. Appropriate training for the post will be provided, and we will invest in our staff to gain the formal qualifications required for registration with SSSC. The service provides a robust learning and development programme for all staff members ongoing personal development. This post is regulated work with children and/or protected adults under the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007. The preferred candidate will be required to join the PVG Scheme or undergo a PVG Scheme update check. Where an individual has spent a continuous period of 3 months or more out with the UK in the last 5 years, an Overseas Criminal Record Check will be required. You will be required to provide this check. An unconditional offer of employment and commencement in the post will be subject to the outcome of both these pre-employment checks being deemed satisfactory. As part of our goal to improve our organisational culture and create a great place to work together for the people of Edinburgh, we want to make sure that we’re bringing the best people into our roles, not just in their skills and experience but also in their approach to work. To help achieve this, we’re changing the way we interview and assess candidates by moving from a competency-based interview approach to a behavioural and technical (skills for the job) based approach. This new way of interviewing will allow us to assess how you think and how you would bring Our Behaviours of Respect, Integrity and Flexibility into your ways of working. We're committed to creating a workplace culture where all our people feel valued, included and able to be their best at work, and we recognise the benefits that a diverse workforce with different values, beliefs, experience, and backgrounds brings to us as an organisation. You can find out more on Our Behaviours web page Our Behaviours – The City of Edinburgh Council Follow us on Twitter at @edincounciljobs Responsibilities Purpose of Job Provide direct care and support to adults with a disability, also contribute to care planning and the overall service delivered. These services will be delivered by the postholder working in shift patterns. Major Tasks To assist the senior care and support worker and manager to develop personal plans, ensuring the health, well-being and emotional needs of service users are met and that their individual outcomes are achieved, taking a lead role and full responsibility for the development, Implementation and regular review of personal plans To support service users to develop and maintain inclusive lifestyles, within their local communities; to provide personal care, support and meet emotional needs of service users. To support the senior care and support workers in the monitoring and reviewing of individual service users personal plans and have responsibility for meeting service users’ assessed needs and agreed outcomes as part of a team approach Continuity & Smooth Running · To provide communication of any issues that need to shared from previous shifts · In the event of an emergency, and in agreement with the duty officer, undertake a sleep over as part of the service’s duty of care · log non-service user activities and events in appropriate records/logs · record deliveries and ensure these are dealt with appropriately Recording & Administration · c omplete service user case-notes · log and administer service user medication in line with unit procedures · take responsibility for handling/logging phone-calls · receive, securely store and receipt service users’ cash as required · balance all monies held in the safe Other Duties and Responsibilities · To work with the Line Manager and the other members of the team to ensure that the service is provided. · To feedback to the Line Manager both about the service to individuals and the operation of the service generally, through team meetings and supervision · To undertake one to one supervision sessions with a Line Manager · To ensure at all times that care practice is non-discriminatory and the individual’s personal beliefs and preferences are appropriately acknowledged. · To have a knowledge of and carry out departmental and section policies and procedures. · To have a knowledge of Health and Safety issues and to promote safe working practice in accordance with Department guidelines. · To have a knowledge of lone working policies · To have knowledge of Departmental guidelines on confidentiality, open access and case recording in line with Data Protection legislation. · In agreement with the line manager to undertake agreed mandatory training for disability services. · The line Manager will undertake a performance review and development (PRD) meeting with the post holder on an annual basis and agree a professional development plan for the year ahead. · The post holder is expected to work independently with service users supported by co-workers and care and support assistant managers. · Mentoring new staff, volunteers, students and agency workers with the support of line management. · Regular face to face supervision will be provided by the line manager on an individual basis Supervision and Management of People (Numbers and type of staff) Nil Creativity and Innovation · Developing approaches for managing the support and care of service users, especially in relation to their social needs. · Developing interesting and diverse activities in consultation with service users using a Person Centred approach. · Development and use of creative communication methods to actively promote and enhance service users’ abilities on an individual basis. · To think creatively in various situations in order to diffuse any potentially challenging behaviour. Environment – Work Context The nature of tasks and the people the care and support workers’ are required to work with will range across everyday routine supporting basic needs to complex and challenging needs. Knowledge and Skills · Have achieved the equivalent or be working towards the Scottish Vocational Qualification (SVQ) level 2 in Social Care · Experience in working in social care settings is desirable · Working towards Higher National Certificate (HNC) and Scottish Vocational Qualification (SVQ) level 3 in Social Care is desirable · The knowledge of care values associated with national and local policies procedures and legislation, including National Care Standards. · A good knowledge of issues and individual support needs with respect to risks and risk taking for the service users, as evidenced through SVQ2 training · Demonstrate good social care practice in working with new staff, volunteers, students and agency workers. · A good knowledge of culture, diversity, ethical, professional and legal frameworks to support service users and carers · A knowledge of care services provision by the Local Authority, Lothian Health and the Voluntary Sector. · Specialised training such as epilepsy, autism awareness, dementia, peg feeding, mental health issues, bereavement, Counselling, CALM, diabetes may be required. · Knowledge of disability and the issues that can be raised · Working with people with a disability whether they be physical and/or learning disability. · The ability to use a wide range of communication techniques and listening skills · Good observational and interpersonal skills · Decision making · An knowledge of Health and Safety requirements · Researching, gathering and contributing information · Report writing (Personal Plans) in accordance with National Care Standards · Monitoring information · Team working · Incident reports · Stress Management, in relation to your health · Intimate personal care which may include the use of Hoists/ Aids · Dealing with medicines under the managing medicines policy Understanding of diversity, equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory practice. · De-escalating and managing challenging situations · Driving licence is desirable · Administrative skills including knowledge of using PC’s for word processing and email, use of My HR and the Orb · Planning for yourself and service users, use of SMART objectives, contingency planning · Experience of work in a community setting with people who have a disability and a range of complex needs is essential. · A professional approach with the ability to respond to unplanned situations in a calm flexible way is essential. Experience ESSENTIAL Experience of caring for and supporting individuals. DESIRABLE Experience of caring and supporting for individuals with a wide range of complex needs, particularly people with a learning disability. Experience in working collaboratively with a range of people who may be involved with the service user, including families and professionals. Experience of writing reports. Experience of developing care plans. Experience of working independently in a relatively isolated situation. Experience of working as a named worker. Experience in planning, organising, sourcing and delivering activities on an individual or group basis. Knowledge, skills and understanding Ability to provide direct personal/domestic care and support in accordance with the service user’s assessed need. Ability to observe, record and share as appropriate, information relevant to a service user’s care. Ability to contribute to and develop support plans and risk assessments for service users. Ability to work effectively, as a lone worker and as part of a team. Ability to recognise and respond in a challenging or emergency situations. Ability to identify any risks on a daily basis for both service users and staff and respond accordingly. A commitment to personal development and engagement in professional learning and development. An understanding of the Health and Social Care Standards, SSSC Codes of Practice for Social Service Workers and Employers and how these inform and guide practice. Ability to communicate in any other language in addition to English (e.g. foreign language or signing) Qualifications and training Have achieved the equivalent or be working towards SVQ level 2 in Social Care. If you do not hold this qualification you must have the ability to work towards it, as this is the SSSC registration requirement for the post. Working towards Higher National Certificate (HNC) and Scottish Vocational Qualification (SVQ) level 3 in Social Care Job specific requirements Work in a way which is non-discriminatory and respects and promotes the rights and choices of others. Awareness of basic health and safety requirements and able to promote safe working practices. For shift based contracts - requirement to carry out shift work including evenings and weekends, and occasional sleep-in duties. Current driving licence. Access to a vehicle for work duties.