POSITION DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE: Community Support Worker

REPORTS TO: Service Coordinator

STAFF REPORTING TO POSITION: Nil

A Community Support Worker works as part of a team providing support to a group of people with an intellectual disability living in or supported by one of Spectrum Care’s community homes.

The focus of this role is t o assist people with an intellectual disability to live in the community in a setting which promotes self-confidence, independence and choice.

This will involve:

• Assisting people supported by the home to achieve and maintain an optimum state of wellness and safety
• Assisting people to achieve opportunities and involvement in a lifestyle shared by family, friends and the community

Reporting to the Service Coordinator and in partnership with other staff working in the home, the Community Support Worker will assist Spectrum Care in the achievement of the Vision, Mission and Values which are:

Vision: People with disabilities living great lives.

Mission: To create the opportunity for the best possible quality of life and choice for people with an intellectual disability

Values: Person-Centred, Innovation, Commitment and Passion, Partnership, Excellence

DEVELOP INDIVIDUALISED LIFESTYLE PLANS FOR PEOPLE WITH A DISABILITY

• Identify and implement Personal Outcomes Measures in partnership with service users in order to increase the range of opportunities and choices available to them
• Develop, document, and evaluate life plans with each person and their friends, families and support networks

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 choices
• Support to develop new skills
• Support to manage their emotional and behavioural needs
• Support to build and extend relationships and to develop networks in the community
• 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

DEVELOP INDIVIDUALISED HEALTH / WELLNESS PLANS WITH AND FOR EACH PERSON

• Provide personal health cares as determined by the health plan and liase with doctors and other health professionals
• 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 A DISABILITY TO MAINTAIN THEIR PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL WELL BEING

• Assist people supported by the home with individual cares to ensure good personal hygiene, nutrition and physical appearence
• Participate in the development and implementation of behavioural strategies where required, including all recording and reporting requirements

ASSIST IN THE DAILY OPERATION OF THE HOME

• Assist in household management. This will include cooking, cleaning, gardening, shopping, and paying accounts etc.
• Ensure that records associated with the above activities are accurate and up-to-date
• Maintain a healthy, safe home 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
• Communicate important issues using appropriate forms of written documentation

• Generally, 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 / EDUCATIONAL LEVEL

• A certificate in Human Services (or equivalent) is an advantage

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Previous experience in supporting people with disabilities is preferred.

VALUES-BASED COMPETENCIES

• Person-centred. Has a genuine desire to work with and support people with an intellectual disabilty 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

• Emotional maturity. Displays maturity by making good decisions 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, both orally and in writing, in a clear and understandable manner. Uses valuing language.
• Self-organisation. Well organised. 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 mannner. Direct deals with colleagues to effectively resolve situations. Gives feedback.
• 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
• Basic numeracy and literacy. Can maintain documentation and perform basic budgeting and accounting.
• Physically fit to undertake a moderately active role