Support Worker - Part Time

Information

At Rankeillor in Edinburgh, work closely with those experiencing homelessness, including those in recovery from substance use.  We provide temporary accommodation in shared flats and our Support Workers work in partnership with clients in order to help them determine and pursue longer term goals.

 

Our Support Workers are invested in ensuring positive outcomes are obtained for each and every one of our clients and this is done by building trust and respect.  This can often be challenging due to the complex needs of some clients but there are always opportunities to learn and develop.  Key working duties will include setting and communicating expectations clearly as to policies, behaviours and boundaries and facilitating ongoing open and honest discussions as to barriers or successes.

The successful applicant will believe in getting the best out of people by working in collaboration with clients and third party organisations in order to problem solve, empowering and support meaningful journeys.  They should be an excellent communicator, have an ability to build meaningful relationships and be able to show empathy in everything that they do.

You don’t need to have had previous Support Work experience before, as we’ll give you all the tools and techniques you’ll need to do your role and provide you with various frameworks and theory to support this.  An understanding of the complex needs of the sector would be advantageous however.

The team is also highly supportive and adopts a culture of promoting self-awareness, reflective feedback, learning and continued personal development.

Hours of work are flexible – 24 hours to be worked between the core hours of Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm.  Salary is pro rata of 38.5 hours per week.

If you would like to talk to someone about the types of opportunities we have, or have any other questions, please contact recruitment.team@crossreach.org.uk.

Main Function

To work as a team member providing a high level of support and care appropriate to the needs of the client within a residential or day care setting.  The general tasks required of Support Worker shall be as follows but variations in emphasis may occur in particular services.

Main Duties

1. Involvement in the general day to day support and care of the clients as determined by the Service Manager and Senior Addiction Workers.
2. Seek to acquire appropriate working knowledge of the needs of clients and make contributions on this basis.
3. Assist clients to settle into the service, introducing them to facilities and procedures, and ensuring they are aware of their rights and responsibilities.
4. Be aware of implications of all clients’ risk assessments
5. Ensuring clients are registered with local health services and any health needs addressed.
6. Contribute to the setting up of care/support plans in respect of each client through careful observation, assessment and writing up of care plans and implementation of same under the management of a senior staff member.  This involves fulfilment of the role of a key worker.
7. Assist with therapeutic group work, and if trained, to facilitate group work
8. Contribute to case conferences, reviews and other meetings, and the compiling of appropriate reports for all such meetings.
9. Involvement in such other professional duties as determined by the Service Manager and senior staff team.
10. Undertake any training essential to your professional development in fulfilling the role of a Support Worker as determined by senior staff.
11. Participate in regular supervision with senior staff.
12. Participation in staff meetings as determined by CrossReach.
13. Assisting clients with educational development including literacy or numeracy issues
14. Assisting clients, according to the wishes of each individual, to maintain or develop the spiritual side of life.
15. Ensuring that client’s property and possessions are properly cared for. 
16. Encouraging clients to take responsibility for tasks, including household duties and to develop daily living skills, including both catering and cleaning.
17. Assist clients to have a high quality of life and facilitate them to have choices.
18. Encouraging clients to participate in all aspects of the programme and community life. This may involve leading or accompanying outings and assisting with transportation of clients.
19. Support clients to build up a network of supports, in preparation for moving on. These would specifically include appropriate levels of support for any addiction issues.
20. Assist clients with any external accommodation issues.
21. Support clients to access development activities such as training, volunteering or employment.
22. Ensure that clients have a well organised and supported transition when leaving the service, and that all procedures relating to this are completed.
23. The post holder will be expected to undertake other relevant and reasonable duties as required by senior management.
24. Have respect for all aspects of Christian worship
25. Facilitate Service Users to attend Christian worship (or worship of choice as required by the role).

Qualifications

Essential: A recognised Social Care Qualification (minimum SVQ L2 or equivalent) and must be willing to complete SVQ L3 within 1 year if not yet qualified.

Desirable: Addictions Qualification, Certificate in Counselling Skills.

Personal

As we do our work in Christ’s name you must be respectful of our Christian Ethos and be able to work within it.

This post requires you to be a member of the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme and undertake the necessary vetting checks.

This post requires you to be registered with SSSC and it is your professional responsibility to ensure that you meet the standards and criteria for registration.

Skills and Abilities

Essential: Postholder must possess basic computer literacy skills including use of Microsoft Office and the internet.

Desirable: Previous experience in the social care field, ideally in addictions.