We are looking to recruit a dedicated, enthusiastic and caring member of our team. Telegraph House is a small supported living service that currently provides care and support to adults with learning disabilities at two locations in Deal.

There is a full-time permanent position comprising of 35-40 hours plus 2 sleep-nights per week, as well as a part-time permanent position comprising of 16-25 hours plus 1-2 sleep nights per week.

An NVQ Level 2 in Health & Social Care (or equivalent) is essential.

A full UK Driving Licence is desirable.

If successful, you will be required to undertake an enhanced DBS check, which is funded by the company,

Telegraph House provides generous working conditions, competitive hourly rate, funded training, managerial support, supervision and annual appraisals, pension scheme, flexible holiday entitlement, paid breaks, comprehensive induction, plus more incentives.



JOB SPECIFICATION
Purpose of the Job
• Supporting adults with Learning disabilities in a supported living setting, enabling independence in all aspects of daily living. To contribute to the overall care and support of service users and assist in providing a warm homely environment in which service users can develop as individuals and achieve a good quality of life.

Administration and Finances
• To develop a full knowledge and understanding of administrative procedures pertaining to service users.
• To be aware of Care Quality Commission, its role and essential outcomes and regulations.
• To record and maintain accurate and timely information with regards to medication, care and daily events.
• To provide written reports as and when required, e.g. day books, incidents/accidents, medical appointments in line with the company’s policies.
• To ensure all information relating to the service users, or other home issues, is related in a clear and concise manner, either written or verbally.
• To fully comply with the administrative procedures of the organisation.
• To account for any expenditure relating to home funds and service user monies and ensure receipts are provided.

Service Users
• To enable service users to achieve their full potential.
• To provide a high level of dignity, respect and value to the service users in all areas of contact.
• To provide respect for the service users choices, wishes, space and possessions, and have due regard to the level of disability of all service users and respect their individuality.
• To encourage and empower service users to achieve a daily programme that satisfies their educational, recreational and social wishes.
• To participate in assessing and planning to meet the individual needs identified in their support plans.
• To interact with all service users, being proactive in making suggestions for activities and outings, and joining in if they wish.
• To communicate effectively using verbal, written, pictures and signs according to their need.
• To show a level of commitment and initiative, and forge links with community facilities to enable the service users to develop their potential in all areas.
• To accompany service users to and from outside activities. This could include using public transport, walking and driving as appropriate.
• To encourage and enable service users with the life skills they require to live as independently as possible, including undertaking tasks of a domestic nature e.g. cooking, shopping, laundry and house cleaning.
• To assist service users with the personal finances, including daily budgeting, withdrawals and paying for goods and activities.
• To enable and encourage safe keeping of monies, wallets/purses, receipts and personal items of value.
• To provide support for service users’ personal needs, including all required aspects of personal care, including bathing, washing, shaving and oral hygiene.
• To administer medication where appropriate, in line with the company’s policy of medication.
• To understand and respect the relationships which are important to service users and facilitate visits and social interaction with those in their lives.
• To ensure any concerns/complaints relating to service users or issues raised by service users are reported without delay to senior staff.
• To report to a senior member of staff any inappropriate behavior observed either towards service users by others or vice versa.
• To undertake key worker duties specific to an identified service user (see keyworker duties).
• To carry out any other duties, under direction of the manager, which may be required from time to time as that are commensurate with the post.

Management, Organisation and Outside Agencies
• To carry out duties and tasks as requested by the manager in accordance with organisational policies, procedures and codes of good practice.
• To maintain a safe working and living environment by routinely observing, checking and reporting on all areas of health and safety within the home.
• To identify any service user’s need to see GP’s, dentists, podiatrists etc., ensuring they are accompanied on these appointments where necessary.
• To participate in review meetings alongside manager/senior with the care manager and families to plan for a positive future and develop a realistic support plan.
• To develop and maintain professional relationships with service users’ relatives, outside agencies and other professionals.
• To shape the organisation by expressing your views and contributing to how it develops.

Staff Team and Personal Development
• To attend and participate in regular team meetings, training and development as identified to develop one’s own skill and abilities. These may be additional to contracted hours.
• To participate in regular supervision session and appraisals with your manager.
• To maintain a constant desire to learn and develop.
• To contribute to and participate in a team-based approach.
• To act as a role model for those around you.

Key Worker Duties
A key worker has special responsibility for a named service user. Their duties will include:
• To ensure the service user has a comfortable bedroom with furniture and entertainment equipment in good serviceable order.
• To ensure that the service user has enough toiletries and personal care equipment e.g. toothbrushes, toothpaste, hairbrushes etc.
• To monitor the service user’s personal grooming needs, including nails, hair care, clean ears, shaving, sanitary needs etc.
• To monitor clothes and that they are kept in good repair, named if necessary, laundered and ironed, appropriate for the weather with a variety of styles to meet differing activities. Shoes to be in good repair, comfortable and appropriate. The service user’s choice in their apparel is very important.
• To keep a record of family birthdays and other significant events and support the service user to acknowledge those anniversaries with at least a card but present too if the service user wishes.
• To keep a strict eye on the service users’ health reporting any findings that give cause for concern.
• To encourage and enable service users with the life skills they may require to live as independently as possible, logging their progress, identifying areas for improvement and aiming towards realistic goals.
• To assist service users with their individual person centered plans as part of their yearly review.