JOB DETAILS JOB TITLE: SUPPORT WORKER HOURS: 22.5 HOURS PER WEEK OVER 3 DAYS (Working days to be discussed at interview) TERM: PERMANENT LOCATION: STAKEFORD NURSERIES RESPONSIBLE TO: HORTICULTURAL SERVICES MANAGER JOB PURPOSE: To work as part of a team producing vegetables and plants for sale and assisting in the supervision of clients within the Horticulture Department, delivering training programmes and maintaining production and sales in line with agreed targets. AREA OF INVOLVEMENT: Working within a small community horticultural project growing a variety of plants and vegetables for wholesale and retail customers. Providing support and training to enable adults who may have mental health needs or have special educational needs to gain skills, knowledge and confidence, with a focus on our retail outlet. To promote their independence and well-being, supporting them to obtain or regain the skills to continue on to work should they choose. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED: Relevant Horticultural skills and experience preferable Social care experience preferable Full driving licence preferable Customer Service and money handling skills in a customer facing environment with working knowledge of modern EPOS systems preferable Category D1 (entitlement to drive a minibus) on driving licence preferable The ability to complete inventory and audit trail paperwork To be able to formulate and implement action plans To be able to complement the skills of the current team To be able to work either alone or in a team A commitment to undertake appropriate training is essential A non-judgemental approach to working with people who may experience mental distress To be able to support and encourage others to develop their own skills WORKING RELATIONSHIP/COMMUNICATION: To work within an already established team To work in collaboration with other professionals ensuring good lines of communication, both written and verbal, thus ensuring a multi-professional concept of care is delivered To communicate effectively with users and carers in promoting an awareness of their individualised action plans To communicate with and serve members of the public as appropriate KEY RESULT AREAS: To work with the Horticultural Team to produce vegetables and plants for sale To support the Horticultural Team in providing advice, guidance and support to people who experience mental ill health, who attend Stakeford Nurseries as either a day service or an employment training placement Participate in planning and review meetings with Care Managers or other official representatives of funding agencies Deal appropriately with customers and members of the public Be flexible with working hours as you may be expected to work weekends during the summer months. Participate in the maintenance of the Nursery site Take responsibility for the health and safety of areas in which you work and the activities that are carried out in them Participate in the planning and development of services and activities in Stakeford Nurseries Participate as appropriate in the wider activities of Blyth Star Enterprises Always act as an ambassador for Stakeford Nurseries and Blyth Star Enterprises Undertake training as indicated by Supervisors or the Management Team Ability to practically demonstrate horticultural and customer service skills to the clients in the Horticulture and retail departments To keep within the agreed delegated financial budget and targets Safe/correct use of equipment within the department and the relevant maintenance procedures Assist in the on-going planning and development of the Nurseries, being responsible for the contribution and dissemination of information to individuals and organisations Adhere to all statutory requirements e.g. Health & Safety, COSHH and policies of Blyth Star Enterprises Participation in a formal appraisal system To take accountability for the department in the absence of the Senior Supervisor or Horticultural Service Manager. Any other appropriate duties under the direction of your Line Manager MOST CHALLENGING PART OF YOUR JOB: Being responsible for delivering a progressive service that is unique in its approach to meeting the needs of people with enduring mental health problems Maintain the balance between support/training and production Maintaining a positive approach and acting as a role model at all times Adapting to a constantly changing working environment Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme Disability Confident About Disability Confident A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to Disability Confident .