Job overview
Do you have an interest in problem solving and data analysis? Would you like to support people with learning disabilities by utilising and implementing behavioural strategies?
If so, the is the place for you. We specialise in supporting adults and children with a learning disability, who may present with complex, distressed behaviour. We are recruiting for a Behaviour Assistant to join our team based in Oxford.
You'll work with people in the community, support with data collection and analysis, and develop evidence that will directly influence the support a person receives. You'll be contributing to the assessment of behaviour functions and the application of behaviour interventions, under the supervision of registered clinicians.
The role is a mix of admin work and community visits, with the flexibility of being able to manage your own calendar within core working hours of the team. You'll have the opportunity to build skills and knowledge in Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) and Applied Behaviour Analysis.
You'll work with a range of professionals such as Nurses, Occupational Therapists, Speech and Language Therapists, Clinical Psychologists and Behaviour Specialists as well as Consultant Psychiatrists, Teachers, Social Workers, and Support Workers.
If you are keen to learn and be fully involved in working with people with a learning disability, we would encourage you to read on and apply for the position. We look forward to hearing from you!
Main duties of the job
1. Assist in the implementation and evaluation of positive behavioural interventions, utilising a range of resources in order to achieve positive outcomes.
2. Be responsible for building a rapport with service users, which will entail working with them in community settings (e.g., the person’s home, day service, work environment, hospital).
3. Provide regular and practical support to service users and their carers in developing and managing independence and maintaining dignity and self-respect, under the direction of senior team members. This may include support with tasks for daily living and home management. e.g., cooking, personal care.
4. Monitor clients’ progress, taking account of their environment and through supervision adjust own clinical interventions accordingly
5. Develop skills and awareness in Applied Behaviour Analysis and Positive Behaviour Support to compliment interventions and the work of the Intensive Support Team.
6. Attend all clinical team meetings and representing the Intensive Support Team at other meetings/activities
Your role will involve client visits all over Oxfordshire therefore the ability to travel independently between sites within the Trust is essential for this role. The Intensive Support Team supports hybrid working from the home and the office, with the team meeting once a week in the office at a minimum. Due to the nature of work, some visits may start earlier and/or finish later than core business hours.
Working for our organisation
Oxford Health is a great place to work and to be able to showcase the best of yourself when making an application please read the “candidate guide to making an application” and ensure your supporting statement is tailored to the role you are applying for and addresses any essential criteria.
As a Trust we provide physical, mental health and social care for people of all ages across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Swindon, Wiltshire, Bath and Northeast Somerset. Our services are delivered at community bases, hospitals, clinics and people’s homes, delivering care as close to home as possible. Our vision is that no matter who you are or where you are, you will tell us that you receive: “Outstanding care delivered by an outstanding team”
Our values are: “Caring, safe and excellent”
We offer a wide range of benefits designed to support your career and wellbeing. These include:
• Excellent opportunities for career progression
• Access to tailored individual and Trust wide learning and development
• 27 days annual leave, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days with continuous service
• NHS Discount across a wide range of shops, restaurants and retailers
• Competitive pension scheme
• Lease car scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Mental Health First Aiders
• Staff accommodation (please note waiting lists apply)
• Staff networking and support groups hosted by our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion team
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
We hope that the advert has given you a clear understanding of the skills we are seeking and the opportunity at hand. You will need to use the “supporting statement” element of your application form to demonstrate your suitability for this role and you should refer to the job description, person specification and the guidance notes attached to this role to help you tailor your application.
The essential and desirable criteria will be used to shortlist for interview and you should ensure that you refer to these within your application to increase your chances of being selected for interview.
Applicants must have a full valid driving licence and have access to a vehicle for work. Adjustments can be considered in line with the Equality Act 2010 where required.
Person specification
Knowledge Requirements
Essential criteria
7. Able to provide high standards of care
8. Experience of working within a community setting
9. Positive Behaviour Support knowledge and experience
10. Detail oriented observational and reporting skills
Desirable criteria
11. Applied Behaviour Analysis
12. Person Centred Active Support
Personal Qualities
Essential criteria
13. To be able to work closely with all team members and follow advice/instruction as necessary
14. Self-reflecting with regards to personal and professional development
15. Approachable and facilitative and holistic person-centred approach
16. Ability to engage with colleagues at all levels across agencies
17. Enthusiastic and motivated
18. Cheerful/pleasant disposition, able to deal with patient contact which may occasionally be emotionally upsetting or stressful
Desirable criteria
19. Willingness to be involved in supporting practice placements for students
Experience
Essential criteria
20. Practical experience in health care setting either before, during or after education development to prepare for this role.
21. Experience of contributing to the training others in the implementation of positive support approaches
22. Experience of communicating with families, carers, staff, users in various settings
23. Evidence of supporting people with a learning disability and/or autism
Desirable criteria
24. Experience of working in a setting using Positive Behaviour Support
Qualifications
Essential criteria
25. NVQ 3 or equivalent
26. Good general education
Desirable criteria
27. Experience of working within a health service
28. All new starters have a thorough induction process, both local and Trust wide, which aims to create a positive supportive working environment allowing new employees to learn key elements of their role over a reasonable timescale.
29. Appointment to this post is subject to the trust receiving satisfactory references covering 3 years of employment or study. Please ask your referees to respond promptly to reference requests.
30. We’re advocates of flexible working and many of our roles offer a range of employment options to help you balance your work and personal life.
31. Employees are expected to undertake mandatory and statutory training related to their role.
32. We are ambitious in our pursuit of excellence, driven by the belief that a fair, just and fully inclusive organisational culture enables our teams to deliver the best quality of care and services possible and we work hard to ensure that our diverse workforce reflects the communities that we serve.
33. We welcome applications from all sections of the community, are an Equal Opportunities employer with a number of internal networking groups to support our employees and where possible will always look to make reasonable adjustments in order that you can fulfil the role to recognise your full potential. All our employees are committed to demonstrating through their behaviour our core values – safe, caring and excellent.
34. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, we expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
35. Oxford is a world-renowned centre of excellence for research. Oxford Health works closely with the University of Oxford department of Psychiatry and the Department of Primary care, has a Biomedical Research Centre dedicated to improving mental health and the NIHR Clinical Research Facility at the Warneford site. The Trust also hosts the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) which carries out applied research that directly impacts patient health and wellbeing