Main Job Purpose

• To provide personal care and practical support to service users to enable them to lead as independent a lifestyle as possible within a designated area daily.  This care service will involve a personal care and household management programme that is personalised for each service user in the form of a Care Plan.  Care duties will, therefore, include assisting the service user with the following activities. In so doing, they will always observe safe working practices and respect the service user’s dignity, privacy, and independence as far as practical. 
• To help train and supervise junior staff members in all aspects of their work, delegating tasks and roles as appropriate to support their development.

Key Role Responsibilities

Provision of Care

• To support Care Workers in the practical support provided to service users.
• To read, fully understand and adhere to each Service user care plan and risk assessment.
• Assist with the physical care of service users by helping with:

• General mobility
• Dressing and undressing
• Personal care hygiene, bathing of eyes, mouth, hair and nails
• Care of skin and pressure areas
• Continence management
• Preparing, serving and assisting feeding of meals and drinks
• Escorting service users in preparation and support when doing daily activities. Walking, shopping, hairdressing appointments etc.
• Medication administration.

• To work flexibly to meet the service user’s needs, including participation in the Out of Hours Duty System.
• Relate to and interact with the service users. Receive and pass on messages and information.
• To comply with the Care Quality Commission and Company policies and procedures

Communication 

• Ensure communication suits different service user needs based on their condition.
• Ensure that care plans are followed through by all who contact the person using the service. 
• Responsible for overseeing the practice of others and may have some responsibility for managing individuals’ care budgets. 
• Liaise with health professionals and their families.
• Accurately report, record and maintain records as required and working to care plans.
• Report to Care Coordinator /Field Care Supervisor or Registered Manager on any aspects of service user care which you feel warrant investigation or urgent attention.

Health and Safety

• Promote health, safety and security. 
• Carry out risk assessments in the context of the environment, competence of other staff and the needs of individual care plans.
• Update care plans where necessary in discussion# with the Line Manager. 
• Lead on changes in practice to minimise risks in the future and train staff in these changes. 
• Work by duty of care and safeguarding of adults.
• Follow emergency procedures and escalate any issues arising immediately.
• Arrange emergency supplementary care where necessary.

Leadership and Supervision

• Be a role model for other staff, always living the Seren values.
• Participate in the induction of new staff. 
• Ensure staff are clear about their roles and responsibilities and maintain professional boundaries.
• To assess and sign off new Care Workers shadowing rotas.
• Contribute to staff development and identification of training needs of Care Workers.
• Familiarise yourself with policies and procedures and ensure correct interpretation and implementation.
• Review staff performance, providing feedback to care coordinator/field care supervisor.
• Compile and submit supervision and audit reports.
• Conduct one-on-one supervision sessions once every quarter.
• Maintain confidentiality and professionalism in all dealings with staff and service users.
• Participate in appropriate training, including NVQ3 and attend staff meetings as requested by your manager.
• Undertake audits as directed by the Registered Manager / Care Coordinators.

Principles of Care 

• Promoting effective communication and relationships. 
• Promoting anti-discriminatory practice (including policies and codes of practice).
• Maintaining confidentiality of information.
• Promoting and supporting individuals’ rights to dignity, Independence, empowerment, choice and safety.
• I am acknowledging individuals’ personal beliefs and identity and respecting diversity.
• Protecting individuals from abuse
• Providing individualised care.

Additional Responsibilities

• Undertake additional responsibilities as directed by the registered manager.  These may include but are not limited to the following tasks.
  • Care Coordination / Support
  • Field Care Supervision / Support
  • Operational Management / Support
  • Human Resource Management / Support
  • Administration Management / Support

Person Specification

• NVQ 2/3 in Health and Social Care desirable or a willingness to undertake the qualification
• Ability to manage a team and handle multiple priorities.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Good judgement, problem solving and decision-making skills.
• Commit to flexible working pattern to meet the needs of the service user.
• Ability to manage a team and handle multiple priorities.
• Ability to handle difficult situations with minimum supervision.
• Able to deal with sensitive personal care tasks.
• Able to demonstrate basic life skills (i.e., cooking, cleaning, budgeting, shopping)
• Physically capable of manual handling.
• Demonstrates an ability to effectively evaluate and make decisions.
• Demonstrates willingness to change, adaptation and innovation.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Outlook and Excel)
• Full driving licence with access to a vehicle or working towards.

This job description is not intended to be exhaustive. The post holder will be expected to adopt a flexible attitude to the duties which may be varied (after discussion), subject to the needs of the Service Users and in keeping with the general profile of the role.