Social Care Support Worker (Level 1)
Job Description and Person Specification
JOB TITLE
Social Care Support Worker (Level 1)
RESPONSIBLE TO
Team Leader / Registered Manager
SALARY BAND
LOCATION
Applications to HR
Interviews
Social Care Support Worker appointed to
new post by/start date
Mission
To provide innovative and Person Centred solutions for people with Autistic
Spectrum Disorder and other disabilities irrespective of where and how they live,
to improve their quality of life and to extend and exercise their rights to access
more control over their lives.
Organisation
Autism Plus is a charity committed to improving the life of people with Autistic
Spectrum Disorder and other disabilities. The charity was formed in 1986 by a
group of parents of autistic children. Autism Plus offers a range of services,
including Residential, Supporting Living, Respite, Adult Learning/Day Service,
Community Support and Domiciliary Care.
Autism Plus is a member of The Adsetts Partnership (TAP), which offers
collaboration opportunities with like-minded voluntary sector agencies on a wide
range of initiatives, from major government contracts through to local projects
which will provide a ‘one-stop-shop’ range of services. Autism Plus also works
closely with Jobsteps Employment Services Ltd (a member of TAP), which
specialises in helping individuals with disabilities and complex barriers to work
find and sustain meaningful paid employment.
Job summary
To work within the Mission, Vision and Values of Autism Plus and the aims and
objectives of the service.
To provide high quality services either at a service user’s home or within the
community that offers enabling person centred support to promote health and
wellbeing, social inclusion and the development of life skills in social, domestic,
work or educational settings.
To work individually and as part of the team within the Supported Living and
Community Outreach Services for people who have an Autistic Spectrum
Condition, associated disabilities and/or mental health issues.
To respect the service users right to privacy, to ensure that their dignity is
respected and to work within the principles of equal opportunity at all times.
To positively represent Autism Plus and be responsible for upholding high
standards.
To foster an atmosphere of support and encouragement with service users, their
families and colleagues.
Key responsibilities
Support to service users

To enable service users to become as independent as possible and to grow
in confidence, ability and personal effectiveness in the following areas;
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Social skills/relationships
Personal care and hygiene
Daily living skills
Using community resources and facilities
Social, leisure and work activities
Self organization/motivation and coping abilities
Personal safety
To achieve this through support, practical assistance, teaching, advice, role
modeling, encouragement and positive feedback.

Promote non-discriminatory practices and respect and promote the rights
of people with ASC, learning difficulties, complex needs and mental health
issues.

To ensure that the highest levels of performance and standards of work
are achieved, in line with CQC outcomes and Autism Plus policies and
procedures.

Working within the framework of Person Centred Planning and BILD
ensure that service users receive the support to enable them to develop a
valued and socially meaningful lifestyle which includes a wide variety of
culturally and age appropriate experiences building on the aspirations,
strengths and needs of the service user.

Safeguarding knowledge awareness and understanding of the
Safeguarding policies and procedures. Attend training including Mental
Capacity and Best Interest

Ensure that adequate records are kept for each service user in line with
Autism Plus policies and procedures. Protect the confidentiality of personal
information and ensure that the information is only disclosed to those who
have a right and need to know.

To encourage and support service users in expressing their needs, views
and concerns. To enable service users make choices and decisions and
participate as fully as possible in planning and decision making processes.
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
Learn and use appropriate methods of communication e.g. Makaton.
TEACCH.

Ensure that the personal belongings of service users are treated with
respect.

Ensure the needs of the service users are considered at all times, taking
into consideration their autism and any other sensory, physical, learning
disabilities or mental health needs. (This includes personal care).

Develop meaningful and trusting relationships with service users to
enhance their confidence, self esteem, personal development and general
sense of wellbeing.

Ensure service users receive the advice, care and health checks they need
to ensure they remain healthy and well both physically and emotionally.
To promote a healthy lifestyle at all times including exercise, relaxation
and nutrition.

Together with service users and members of the staff team, assess, plan,
implement and evaluate individual support/care plans in order to enhance
and maximise the capabilities and independence of the service users.

In line with statutory requirements and following good practice, contribute
both verbally and written to service user reviews, support planning and
person centred planning meetings as required.

To support people who use challenging behaviour as a way to
communicate their needs and frustrations by using agreed strategies and
interventions as outlined within the framework of their care plan. To
contribute to the planning and implementation of these interventions and
to strive to understand the underlying reasons for this behaviour.

Maintain records
appropriately.

Enable service users to maintain relationships with their family and friends
as appropriate and encourage new relationships to develop from accessing
community based activities

Participate in key worker responsibilities as delegated.
of
untoward
incidents
and
accidents
and
report
Administration

To assist service users in their home and community settings and to
assess their skills and needs.

To support individuals to reach their goals and aspirations in line with their
person centred plan and be responsive and flexible to the ever changing
needs of a service user.

To enable service users to participate within their communities and the
wider world as fully as possible.

To ensure that medication is administered and recorded as prescribed. To
organise safe procedures for the collection, storage and administration of
medication within Autism Plus guidelines and Sheffield Domiciliary
Medication Policy.
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
To monitor the health and well-being of the service users in liaison with
other relevant professionals.

To ensure safe and appropriate assistance with service user’s personal
finances.

To carry out and record all financial transactions involving service users or
Autism Plus money according to procedures laid down by Autism Plus.

To keep appropriate records on all matters relating to the support
provided and keep up to date on changes to care plans, risk assessments
and any other relevant documents.

To protect confidentiality of personal information and ensure that the
information is only disclosed to those who have a right and need to know.

To promote non-discriminatory practices.

To provide verbal and written reports to colleagues and others.
Support to people with their own tenancy

Support service users in maintaining the safety, security and comfort of
their own homes.

Support with duties such as laundry, shopping, cleaning and cooking as
required.

Support the service users to become as independent as possible with
respect to managing their household, including management of household
finances and maintenance.
Teamwork

Participate in promoting a team approach at all times, encouraging
positive and constructive working relationships for the benefit of the
service user.

Be polite, courteous and supportive to all team members.

Be flexible in accordance with the needs of the weekly rota.

Be available to cover leave (sickness, annual, etc).

Assist in the induction of new staff.

Work in accordance with training and agreed policies, practices and
procedures.

Participate in and contribute to staff and service user meetings.
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
Support colleagues in difficult or potentially difficult situations within the
workplace.

Ensure issues of concern are elevated to a more knowledgeable member
of staff if the situation requires specific expertise.
Personal Development

Attend supervision and appraisal meetings and have a willingness to be
accountable and develop as a valued team member.

To undertake training as required. This may include attending training
courses outside your place of work.
General

Work to agreed standards in line with Autism Plus policies and procedures.

Have a flexible attitude to working arrangements and hours of work
including early mornings, evening, weekends, nights and bank holidays.

Any other duties as reasonably requested, relative to the objectives of the
post.
This is an outline of the post-holder’s duties and responsibilities but it is not an
exhaustive list and may change from time to time to meet the changing needs of
the Charity.
PERSON SPECIFICATION – Social Care Support Worker
ESSENTIAL
DESIRABLE
EVIDENCE
x
Application
Form
x
Application
Form/Interview
Application
Form
Qualifications
NVQ level II in Health &
Social Care
Experience
Experience of challenging
behaviour
Relevant experience
working in the care/support
field
Full, clean, current driving
licence.
x
x
‘’
Skills & Knowledge
Basic understanding and
insight into the needs of
people with Autism
Spectrum Conditions,
Learning Disabilities and
Mental Health issues.
Knowledge of the range of
services available to meet
individual needs
Awareness of local
voluntary services and
resources available to
benefit the service users.
Knowledge of TEACCH
system and other aids to
communication
Application
Form/Interview
x
x
‘’
x
‘’
x
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‘’
Knowledge of individual
support and person centred
planning
Knowledge of supportive
housing
Good written & oral
communication skills
including the ability to
communicate with people
who do not talk
Good organisational skills
Have an acceptable
standard of basic arithmetic
Have an appreciation and
awareness of human rights
Ability to organise and
initiate leisure and
extracurricular activities
Ability to work effectively
with service users,
families/carers, advocates,
staff and professionals
Ability to support individuals
to maintain their tenancy
Ability to work in a
supportive, calm and nonjudgemental way with
people who may be
challenging.
‘’
x
x
‘’
x
‘’
x
x
‘’
Application
Form
‘’
x
x
‘’
x
‘’
x
Application
Form
‘’
x
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Personal Qualities
Good interpersonal skills
x
To be reliable, honest,
flexible, motivated and to
have a person centred
approach to working with
individuals.
To be able to work
effectively within a team
and on your own
To be able to work without
direct supervision in service
user’s own homes and show
a mature approach to
working alone
To be able to work
constructively, respectfully
and sensitively with
families, professionals and
the general community and
to maintain appropriate
boundaries.
x
Application
Form/Interview
‘’
x
‘’
x
x
‘’
Other
Willingness to work flexible
hours according to needs of
the Charity and service
users
Willingness to attend
training courses and events
Willingness to accept
feedback and guidance and
to be accountable to
colleagues and managers
x
Interview
x
‘’
x
‘’
The Charity reserves the right to conduct internal testing of candidates who are
unable to show proficiency in any of the above
The post holder will be expected to undertake occasional travel to other offices for
work duties and meetings
Approval/Acknowledgement
Please sign below to indicate that you have read and acknowledge the functions
associated with the position
Employee Signature
Date
Print Name
Management Signature
Date
Print Name
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