GARVALD EDINBURGH
JOB DESCRIPTION
RELIEF WORKER
Background
The aim of Garvald Edinburgh is to support people with learning disabilities through
training, therapy, continuing education, work and community building in accordance
with the principles of Rudolf Steiner. The work is challenging and needs a high
degree of commitment.
Garvald Edinburgh’s Supported Living service currently has one community house
and a number of flats in the Slateford Green, Westfield Avenue and Merchiston
Avenue areas where tenants are supported to develop greater independence and
social skills. We also support a number of individuals in the community.
At Garvald Workshops, 454/1 Gorgie Road; Orwell Arts, 17 Orwell Place and at
Waterside Workshops, 492 Gorgie Road, a range of day activities are offered to over
100 Members on a part-time or full-time basis. Garvald’s workshops include:
Bakery, Confectionery, Canteens, Joineries, Pottery, Stained Glass, Puppetry,
Painting, Weaving, Tools refurbishment and Furniture restoration. Education is
offered individually and in a group. Our new day service at Mayfield House, Dalkeith
is now also up and running.
The members of Garvald’s day services are adults with learning disability who have
a wide range of gifts and abilities. Some individuals also have emotional and
behavioural issues, which can include challenging behaviour. Members work in
Garvald’s own workshops and may also participate in various therapies. Many take
part in a diverse range of activities in the wider community including college courses,
voluntary work, community education classes and paid employment.
Application Process for Relief Workers
Applicants should state whether they are applying for Day or Supported Living
work – NOT both. After a period of working there may be an opportunity to
work for both areas of the Service following a second interview.
Any person interested in relief work at Garvald needs to complete an application
form and provide two references. In accordance with Disclosure Scotland
procedures successful applicants for the relief register will be required to apply for
membership of the PVG Scheme. This process is designed to minimise the risk of
harm to members and tenants using services provided by Garvald Edinburgh. We
are committed to the Code of Practice overseen by Disclosure Scotland and will
provide a copy of the Code to any job applicant who requests one. Applicants are
required to pay half of the cost of PVG membership at the time of completing the
PVG form.
No-one should commence relief work at Garvald Edinburgh until they have joined the
PVG Scheme and been approved to work.
Relief Work in the Supported Living Service
A Supported Living service relief worker would join our register of people who are
available to step in when holidays, illness, training etc create absences which must
be covered. Houses and flats operate a shift system with typical shifts being 7 am 4 pm and 4 pm - 11 pm. [Handover times can vary between 3.00 and 4.00 pm]. A
list of tasks is available at each accommodation project and would typically include
helping prepare meals; cleaning and other domestic chores; outings and creative
working (e.g. painting, drawing) with tenants. Sleepovers, which mean staying
overnight in a staff bedroom (single room), are also occasionally required and
sleepover staff arrive at the project at 11 pm and can leave anytime after 7 am when
the day staff come on duty.
Sleepovers are paid at a flat rate of £28.00 per night and shift work is paid at a rate
of £8.00 hourly, including 5.2 weeks paid holiday entitlement. Timesheets are
available from the office and payment is made on the last Thursday of each month.
Timesheets must be submitted two weeks before pay date, and failure to submit
hours would mean them being paid the following month. Pay entitlement for hours
not claimed within 3 months will be lost.
Relief Work in the Day Services
A workshop relief worker would be expected to have a specialist knowledge of the
craft workshop in which they will work, although relief workers who are familiar with
our workshops over a period of time might be asked to step in and take over a
workshop in an emergency. We would call on workshop relief staff when holidays,
illness, training etc create an absence which must be covered. Normal working hours
within the workshops are 9 am - 4 pm Monday to Thursday and 9 am - 3 pm on
Fridays.
Relief work within our workshops is paid at a rate of £8.00 per hour, including 5.2
weeks paid holiday entitlement.
Timesheets are available from the office and
payment is made on the last Thursday of each month. Timesheets must be
submitted two weeks before pay date, and failure to submit hours would mean them
being paid the following month. Pay entitlement for hours not claimed within 3
months will be lost.
Relief worker evaluation
After a relief worker has been employed for three months they will be asked to
meet with an appropriate manager for a review of their work to date. This will be an
opportunity to discuss training and support needs.
Any relief worker who has not worked for a period of six months or more will be
required to re-apply to join the relief register.
Updated October 2014
GARVALD EDINBURGH
PERSON SPECIFICATION
RELIEF WORKER
The following are essential requirements for the role of relief worker:
Values & Attributes
Skills & Abilities
Commitment to providing quality support to people with a
learning disability
A commitment to pursuing the principles of social therapy
and the application of them in the work setting
Able to respond with empathy to the diverse needs of service
users
Able to relate to individuals in a manner which is sensitive
and respectful of personal dignity
Able to communicate effectively with service users and with
colleagues
Able to use initiative and work responsibly within agreed
guidelines
Able to function effectively in situations of stress or conflict
Able and willing to consult appropriately and seek advice
from more experienced and permanent member of staff
For those applicants interested in relief work within the day services a satisfactory
level of competence in the relevant workshop activities must be demonstrated. Skills
across the full range of crafts are not expected but experience and interest in
creative work will be an asset.
Experience of working in a social care setting is desirable. A positive interest in
working together with people with a learning disability is essential.
Please refer to the above when you complete your statement in support of your
application.
In accordance with Disclosure Scotland any person applying to join the relief register
will be required to join the PVG Scheme. This process is intended to minimise the
risk of harm to members and tenants using the services provided by Garvald
Edinburgh.
October 2014