Support Worker / HCA - Children & Young people

Role Purpose

As a Support Worker/HCA for Children and Young People (CYP), you will be required to contribute to their holistic assessment and support to ensure their general wellbeing needs are identified, met and maintained and also provide high-quality care and support to CYP to ensure their safety, promote their well-being, and assist in their social, emotional, physical, behavioural, intellectual and moral development. 

Role Context

The CYP Support Worker/HCA will work across a range of care settings as allocated and directed by the Team Lead and may include residential homes, foster care, CYP own homes, work placements for both ongoing support and care or to provide respite support.

This will include the requirement to drive to and between the place of work covering a varied range of shift patterns depending on the needs of the business and the CYP which may include waking or sleep-in night cover.  The role will require the individual to work unsupervised without direct supervision whilst access to remote advice and/or support will be available.   

Where qualified to do so, the post holder may be required to cover shifts for adult clients of Care Hub subject to agreement and contractual obligations.

MAIN DUTIES

The post holder will be required to undertake the following: 

1.     CYP Support Worker/HCA Care

1.      Apply training, experience, and proven competence to meet the demands of the service required.

2.      Be fully aware and adhere to the seven principles of the Code of Practice for Health and Social Care Support Workers in Jersey, upholding those principles whilst within and outside of work.  

3.      Follow an agreed individualised plan of care and adjust only where there is evidence of competence to do so or refer to a senior member of the team for advice and/or direction.

4.      Provide day to day care including assistance with personal hygiene, meals and appropriate activities in accordance with the CYP’s individual care plan and the standards required determined by the area of care.

5.      Where qualified and competent to do so, undertake a range of specific tasks following assessment and delegation by a Registered Nurse to be outlined within the CYP’s individual plan of care e.g., administration of medication, PEG feeds, blood glucose monitoring.

6.      Support CYP with educational and recreational activities, both inside and outside the home 

7.      Support CYP to plan for an attend any appointments, meetings and other commitments which may be scheduled. appointments, helping to establish routines and develop self-reliance.

8.      Maintain clear and accurate records of all support and/or care provided via the electronic care planning system.

9.      Communicate and liaise in a collaborative way with multiple disciplinary and multi-agency colleagues and CYP parents/guardians and families.

10.      Report and escalate and concerns or incidents in a timely fashion to the Team Lead or relevant manager on call.

2. Emotional and Social Development Support

1.      Build positive, trusting relationships with CYP whilst creating a safe, nurturing and stimulating environment for them 

2.      Facilitate an open culture where CYP are provided with access to information regarding their rights and responsibilities (including complaints procedures) and that their thoughts and feelings will be valued.

3.      Encourage CYP to develop positive social interactions and friendships offering them emotional support and guidance to assist in their development of coping skills, resilience and helpful choices.

4.      Follow the agreed plan of care and support and implement appropriate behaviour management strategies.

5.      Apply effective interpersonal skills to confront and deal promptly with inappropriate language or behaviours, including bullying, harassment or discrimination.

6.       Where relevant, appropriately apply knowledge and understanding of Attachment Theory to work in partnership in change boundary construction with CYP who display a range of behaviours.

7.      Support CYP in developing positive behaviour and self-discipline and address any behavioral issues in a calm and constructive manner.

8.      Act as an appropriate role model for CYP in own discussion and actions including use of and awareness of impact of social media on the professional and or therapeutic relationship.

 

3. Safety and Governance 

1.      Ensure the safety of the CYP by application of effective infection and prevention control measures to maintain a clean and hygienic environment 

2.      Adhere to and promote high standards of infection prevention and control at all times including effective hand and surface cleansing to appropriate use of and disposal of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

3.      Assess risk on a shift-by-shift basis using observational skills, training and good judgement recording appropriately and escalating where there are any concerns. 

4.      Adhere to and comply with all company policies and procedures e.g. Appearance, Data Protection, Record Keeping, Use of Social-Media. 

4. Learning and Development

1.        Be proactive in his/her approach to own learning and development by identifying opportunities to further develop knowledge and skills to support the annual appraisal process. 

2.        Remain current and informed in CYP best practice and safeguarding knowledge and awareness 

3.         Attend and undertake any training as directed by the company and in accordance with policies and procedures both mandatory and any identified at annual appraisal. 

4.         CYP Support Workers/HCAs will be required to contribute to the learning and development of newly recruited staff or other learners via provision of a shadowing or supervision function where this would be appropriate to do so. 

5.         Attend both one to one and group supervision sessions as a means of development and support for service improvement. 

6.         Maintain a health and social care related vocational portfolio of evidence which demonstrates the continuing acquisition of skills, knowledge, attitudes, understanding and achievement.

5. Financial Awareness

1.         Demonstrate and awareness of costs in terms of supplies, equipment and anything within a  CYP’s own home requiring use to deliver care. 

2.         Work safely whilst being aware of need to avoid waste which may impact on the CYP/ or the company.

3.         Ensure accuracy and timeliness of document submission such as mileage claims or timesheets annual leave requests to facilitate effective administration, financial and allocation processes. 

4.         Where the requirement to drive is an essential element of the role, ensure routes taken are as direct as possible. 

NB: The above does not represent an exhaustive list of duties required of the post holder. The duties may be revised at any time to reflect changing service or individual CYP needs.