Senior Support Worker
Reports to: Service Coordinator
Staff reporting to position: Nil
Job purpose
A Senior Support Worker works as part of a team providing support to a group of Spectrum Care
residences, supporting people with disabilities.
The focus of this role is:
- to provide the right level of support according to each service user’s ability, needs, wants, expectations and desires and
- to provide the highest level of CSW expertise, across a range of homes/support settings, at all times optimally demonstrating and promoting Spectrum Care policies, procedures and values; a leader by way of example.
The key objective is supporting people with a disability to live in the community in a setting which promotes self-confidence, independence and choice.
This will involve:
- Assisting people to achieve opportunities and involvement in a lifestyle supported by family, friends and the community
- Assisting people supported within the home and within the community to achieve and maintain an optimum state of wellness, safety and community inclusion
Other key objectives are:
- Providing Spectrum Care with versatile and intelligent support by working across houses and staffing teams, covering leave and staffing gaps as and where required to meet the needs of regional houses
- Role-modelling in a constructive and empathetic manner, enabling others to perform at greater capacity
Reporting to the Service Coordinator (and in partnership with other staff working in the home), the Senior Support Worker will assist Spectrum Care in the achievement of the Vision and Values which are:
Vision:
People with disabilities living great lives
Values: Person-centred, Innovation, Commitment and Passion, Partnership, Excellence
Principal accountabilities
Support individualised
personal Outcome plannnig for people with disabilities
- Support the
development and implementation
of Personal
Outcomes
Measures in
partnership
with service
users in
order to
increase the
range of
opportunities
and choices
available to
support a
great life
- Evaluate and report outcome progress
as may be required
Assist people with disabilities to develop skills and independence
Encourage the people supported in the home to build increased levels of independence through responsive and
individualised (person-centred) planning processes that include:
- Support and encouragement to make informed choices, be involved in decisions and have control over their lives
- Support to develop new skills through active support
- Support to manage service users’ emotional and behavioural needs
- Support to build and extend relationships and to develop networks in the community
- Support to be part of the community and use a range of community facilities
- Support to explore and develop spiritual and cultural needs
- Support to carry out daily/weekly program of activities including accompanying and supporting people at
work or in education
- Support to have a lifestyle valued by themselves and society
- Support to have opportunities to develop experience and competence
- Support to actively participate in a wide range of constructive activities
- Support to ensure people are treated with respect and dignity and that each individuals rights are adhered to
- Support to maintain/build a network of relationships with family and friends
- Support people to always feel included and valued
Support the
development and
implementation of individualised wellness plans with and for each person
- Provide personal health cares as determined by the wellness plan and liaise with doctors and other health
professionals to anticipate and where possible prevent the onset of illness or further impact of disability
- Administer and document medication correctly. Understand the medication’s purpose and any side effects
- Monitor and document health indicators daily. Complete monthly health reviews
- Review health plans every 12 months or as individually needed
Assist people with disabilities to maintain their physical and emotional wellbeing
- Assist people supported by the home with individual cares to ensure good personal hygiene, nutrition and
physical appearance
- Participate in the development and implementation of behavioural strategies where required, including all
recording and reporting requirements
- Assist people to be involved in community activities and to achieve their outcome goals
Assist in the
daily operation of the
service
- To provide relief cover for various houses as and where the need arises
- Ensure that records associated with the above activities are accurate and up-to-date
- Maintain a healthy, safe service by:
- Identifying hazards, and working to eliminate, minimise, and isolate them
- Raising issues about home maintenance as soon as they become necessary
- Adequate planning for out of home activities to ensure safety of all
Contribute to positive team functioning
- Build constructive partnerships with others involved in the provision and improvement of services
- Share workload with, and support and respect other team members
- Participate in organisational forums, such as training and quality improvement (CQI) groups
- Use organisational policies and procedures to inform day by day activities
- Support the House Leader and Service Coordinator by role-modelling the
values, actively supporting team and organisational objectives and change
initiatives, sharing best practice
- Support house teams experiencing short term challenges
- Communicate important issues using appropriate forms of written documentation
Minimum appointment criteria
- A full current class 1 drivers licence essential and the candidate must be able to drive a
manual car and/or van. However, should the prospective employee have genuine special needs due to a particular
disability, Spectrum will take all reasonable steps to accommodate this in the provision of appropriate vehicle
and/or vehicle modifications.
- Must be able to work shift-work including weekends
- Must be prepared to attend Spectrum Care training programmes
- Satisfactory criminal and traffic infringements record
Formal qualification/education level
- A Level Three Certificate in Human Services (or equivalent)
- A commitment to participate and succeed in study towards a CSW Level
Four qualification (or
equivalent)
Work experience
- Previous experience in supporting people with high and complex needs
- Able to demonstrate proven ability in Principal Accountabilities
- Successful experience in the field or a related field
Values-based competencies
- Person-centred. Has a genuine desire to work with and support people with an intellectual disability
and is committed to the provision of individualised services and support
- Commitment and Passion. Highly motivated and energetic. Takes a high level of personal responsibility,
relishes a challenge and remains enthusiastic despite setbacks
- Innovation. Embraces change and contributes new ideas
- Excellence. Constantly strives to be the best. Goal oriented, seeking opportunities to improve personal
and team performance
- Partnership. Readily shares knowledge and skill. Possesses the interpersonal skills to create rapport and
work effectively with other individuals and groups to achieve objectives
Role-specific competencies
- Able to provide personal cares such as bathing, dressing, toileting
- Domestic skills. Can prepare nutritious meals, maintain a clean and tidy environment, and make
cost-effective purchase decisions
- Numeracy and literacy. Can maintain documentation and perform basic budgeting and accounting
- Computer skills. Can operate a computer, produce a word document, email and navigate websites
- Physically fit to undertake a moderately active role
Person-specific competencies
- Emotional maturity. Displays good decision-making skills, even in difficult situations. Has a relaxed, even temperament and is resilient in the face of obstacles and set- backs.
- Communication skills. Is able to express themselves in English, both orally and in writing, in a clear and understandable manner. Uses valuing language.
- Self-management and organisation. Ability to prioritise. Ensures tasks are carried out in a planned and methodical manner. Displays good time management.
- Assertive. Can influence and direct others in a positive and constructive manner. Offers constructive feedback to staff and managers in a diplomatic and professional manner.
- Capacity to grasp new ideas, respond to change, forge paths and meet resistance in a tolerant and resilient manner, achieving appropriate goals and expectations.
Email: jobs@spectrumcare.org.nz
Download current vacancies: Job Board – August 2009
Download an Employment Application Form
Job descriptions
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