Job Description
Job Title
Reports to
Hours
Based from
Support Worker – day / Support Worker - night
Team Leader, Service Coordinator or manager dependant on service
Various shifts covering a 24 hour, 7 days per week.
Residential Care Home / Supported Living / Outreach
Purpose of the Role
Support Workers are responsible for enabling service users to live a rewarding and fulfilling life. They must help
individuals to achieve their goals and aspirations and to access the community in a meaningful way. Ensuring that
they work in a person-centred way and inline with our competencies and values at all times.
Primary Responsibilities
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Person-centred
approach to support
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Autism &
Challenging
Behaviour
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Ensure all support plans and behaviour management guidelines are followed at all
times, discussing with manager any adaptations you believe are required
Ensure effective use of augmented communication techniques with service users,
tailoring communication method to the needs of the individual service user, using
assistive technology where suitable
Enable and support service users to make choices
Be flexible and adaptable in providing a sensitive caring approach allowing the service
users to develop all aspects of their life
Design, implement, monitor and evaluate individual support plans via operation of key
worker systems, reporting significant matters affecting an individual’s quality of life
Assist the management team in providing a constructive pattern of activities
commensurate with the individual skills, abilities and potential of the service users
Provide activities to support the development of service users within their home
environment and in social / leisure activities by ensuring the activities are stimulating
and interesting to the individual
If required, provide appropriate levels of physical care and support with washing,
dressing, bathing and assistance with hygiene needs
Assist with the preparation and cooking of meals and snacks, laundry, household tasks
and day time activities with the service users as required
Be actively involved in the planning of and participation in holidays for the service users
Liaise with professionals, family members & friends of service users to ensure high
quality support
Attend and participate in regular review procedures concerning service users and
prepare written reports prior to the meeting
Communicate with professionals, family and friends ensuring that their wishes, advice
etc are taken into account and respect and confidentiality is maintained
Relate to professional agencies, family, friends, further education tutors etc with
appropriate diplomacy and tact whilst ensuring that confidentiality is maintained
Follow & promote all policies and procedures at all times
Appropriately manage any challenging behaviour, inline with the ethos and training of
Autism West Midlands
Ensure records of incidents are completed straight away and accurately
Talk through incidents with manager to ensure you are adequately supported, that the
incident was correctly managed and that the correct documentation was completed
Understand how the service users autism effects them, personally, and respond to their
individual needs, including the use of appropriate technics for dealing with any
challenging behaviours
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Quality,
Safeguarding & CQC
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Essential Record
Keeping
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Medication &
Finances
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Health & Safety
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Actively contribute
to the service team
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Confidentiality
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Understand and respond to the needs and preferences of each of the service users by
communicating with them effectively and making use of records/experience of
colleagues/family members/other professionals
Acquire and utilise information with regard to understanding the needs of the service
users, interpreting and communicating with them effectively and in their best interests
Positively promote and raise the profile of people with autism and Autism West
Midlands
Ensure that each service users rights are protected and respected including, for
example, their rights to:
o Privacy
o Choice
o Decision making
o Expression of cultural identity
o Protection of property
o Maintaining links with family and friends
Report to management if you are concerned that these or any other rights are being
violated
Fully under the safeguarding policy and procedure, understanding the signs of any
potential abuse and report any concerns to the Registered Care Manager promptly,
including any concerns with regards to colleagues
If working on ‘Waking Nights’ sleeping is not acceptable
Ensure all information relating to service users is accurate and up-to-date
Maintain accurate records of progress towards the achievement of agreed goals for
service users
Follow & promote all policies and procedures at all times
Administer medication following the written guidelines set out in the Drugs
Administration Policy and with directions from medical practitioners
Administer Finances following service users guide / relevant policy
Ensure correct checks are carried out
Report any discrepancies, non-signing etc to manager straight away
Follow & promote all policies and procedures at all times
Ensure the general health and welfare of service users including food, warmth, clothing,
monies and other goods are available, advising the management team of specific
requirement
Follow & promote all policies and procedures at all times
Ensure that Health & Safety regulations are met and that Fire regulations, risk
assessment and behaviour management procedures are adhered to at all times
Liaise and communicate with other employees and external professionals appropriately
to ensure a coordinated approach to programme planning is in place.
Attend and contribute to team meetings
Advise the management team of any concerns, changes or supplementary services
needed
Be supportive and respectful to colleagues and management
Confidentiality is of the utmost importance and must be maintained at all times
Whilst working as a Support Worker you must respect that you are working in the
service users home
Person Specification
Support Worker
Essential
Role Experience
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Experience of working in a role where confidentiality is of the upmost
importance
Knowledge
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How to work in a person-centred way
How to support people in line with their values
How to give them a fulfilling life through the way you support them
An understanding and commitment to equality of opportunity
Willingness to work with service users to live a full and rewarding life,
achieving their personal goals
Proven effective written and verbal communication skills
Ability to work with tolerance and patience with those you support
Willingness to take part in leisure activities e.g. swimming; supporting
with personal care and essential daily living skills e.g. cleaning and
cooking
Enthusiastic and a positive outlook
Flexible approach to work
Team player with a good sense of humour
Ability to work on own initiative
Other Skills
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Desirable
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Previous experience of working in a care environment either within a
residential service, supported living or outreach
 Experience of working under pressure in difficult circumstances
 Of working with people with disabilities, particularly those on the
autistic spectrum
 How autism impacts on daily living and how individuals needs can be
supported
 Full, clean driving license
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Qualifications
NVQ Level 2 in Care or Promoting Independence (or equivalent) or a
willingness to work towards it
Core Behaviours – Autism West Midlands Behavioural Competencies: Step A
Builds Relationships
Results Driven
Leadership & Team Work
Problem Solving &
Decision Making
Planning & Organising
Resilience
The ability to identify and initiate working relationships and to develop and maintain them in a way that is of equal benefit to yourself, the other party
and the organisation.
Ensures a full understanding of the needs and priorities of service users, the service, Autism West Midlands, and external stakeholders and can be
counted on to exceed goals by consistently pushing self and others to be accountable and responsible for results.
The ability to achieve results and improve the lives of service users through effectively working together.
Takes a methodical and analytical approach to problem solving and decision making. Is adventurous and embraces change and continually seeks
improvement through collaborating with others and taking risks.
Identifies and prioritises what needs to be done. Develops action plans and reviews progress to ensure the best outcomes for service users, the
service and the organisation are achieved; using the resources available to deliver goals. Has the attitude that anything is possible and works to
ensure that all plans and actions have the needs and aspirations of the service users and Autism West Midlands at their centre.
Able to bounce back from tough times and triumph in the face of adversity; to display tenacity, but not at the expense of reason. Has the courage to
stand by their beliefs and is excited about challenges.