Community Support Worker

Salary: £25,312.56
Hours: 38 hours per week
Weeks: 52 weeks

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if a high volume of suitable applications is received.

To be part of a team of staff supporting young people with disabilities live as independently as possible in the community and to provide person centred support based on the needs and wishes of each individual client.
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Key Responsibilities & Safeguarding

Promote the aims and ethos of the QACs Community Services in all aspects of their work

Understand and respect individual client’s right, choices, personal dignity, privacy and aspirations.

To support clients to undertake activities which are a priority to them including leisure, household, developmental, vocational, volunteering, social and health related activities and in all aspects of these maximise clients’ opportunities to be as independent as possible

To provide support to clients to undertake shopping activities including support with money management as agreed

To provide support to plan, prepare and cook meals as agreed

To provide support to undertake activities of daily living within the home including household organisation and chores as agreed

To provide support with managing post, correspondence and bills as required

To provide support to attend appointments including medical / healthcare appointments, benefits related appointments and similar as required

Support clients with identifying, planning and taking part in leisure activities.

Encourage integration and inclusion into the wider social community including by facilitating contact with key individuals in the clients life such as family and friends and supporting clients to develop the skills to independently maintain relationships

To support the client with learning key routes on public transport that they may wish to travel independently

To promote the clients self- esteem and confidence at all times

To provide emotional support and reassurance to the client and to liaise with colleagues as required if there are key concerns about the client’s wellbeing.

Help plan, promote and maintain good care practice and contribute positively to team work through good communication with other community support workers and attend team meetings.

To monitor daily support and achievements via the ‘Care Log’ system on Databridge MIS
Contribute to the implementation of care plans, risk assessments, client reviews, and targets.

Liaise with clients’ families, where appropriate.

Liaise on a regular basis with College personal tutors and other staff where the client is a QAC student.

Maintain effective record systems to a quality standard which complies with internal and external regulations.

Actively partake in professional supervision and attend mandatory training as required
To work under the Director of Community Services on a day to day basis
Become familiar with all policies and procedures, including Health and Safety, Client Complaints procedures, First Aid and Safeguarding.
Perform such other duties commensurate with the status of the post as the Principal shall from time to time decide
The above list is not exhaustive, but is indicative of the general nature and level of responsibility of the work to be undertaken. The responsibilities and duties may vary from time to time without changing the nature of the post. The post holder will be expected to adopt a flexible approach to enable the efficient and effective running of the College.
Please take time to review the job description attached.

Please upload a CV/Resume* with details of your full employment history (since leaving school, including education, employment and voluntary work) including reasons for any gaps in employment. This should also include a statement of the personal qualities and experience you believe are relevant to your suitability for the post and how this meets the job description and person specification requirements. Your CV/Resume* will be re-produced in a standard format by the system (without personal identifiers) to assist us in our anonymised shortlisting process.

Safeguarding Commitments

As part of our commitment to safer recruitment, and in line with updated guidance published in September 2022, we will carry out an online search of all shortlisted candidates. This search may enable us to identify any incidents or issues that have happened, and publicly available for review online, which we may wish to explore with you in further detail during the interview process. As part of your application we have asked you to provide the account names, usernames and/or handles for any social media platform that you use, as well as the names of any websites that you own, post on, or contribute to. A Google search will also be conducted. These checks will only be conducted if you are shortlisted for interview. Please see our safer recruitment and selection policy for further information.

Under Section 7 of SVGA 2006 it is an offence to apply for the role if the applicant is barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children. The College's Safeguarding Policies are available here. (https://www.qac.ac.uk/charity/queen-alexandra-charity---policies-and-procedures/4.htm)

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

Level 2 in English and Maths
To understand the needs of students with disabilities and be able to work with them patiently, flexibly and respectfully
To demonstrate an appreciation of the ways in which the Support Worker can support clients in the activities.
To evidence a positive attitude to equality, diversity and inclusion and work well with others
To understand safeguarding principles and practice and be able to apply them to this role
To display good interpersonal skills with students, staff and external contacts
Good IT skills, including word processing and spreadsheet packages
Excellent written communication skills with a high level of attention to detail
Well organised, reliable and pro-active
To be flexible and able to work across all curriculum areas
Adaptable and flexible
Competent and conscientious with a methodical approach to managing workloads
Demonstrate college values
Car Owner

For further information on person specification please read the job description attached

Benefits

Are you passionate about making a difference to the lives of students with special educational needs? Do you thrive in an inclusive and supportive academic environment? If so, we want YOU to join our team. QAC has just gone through an exciting rebrand, dealt with a period of swift growth and academic improvement and this is your opportunity to become part of a vibrant College that is moving forward and making a real difference to the lives and futures of our students.

The newly structured Queen Alexandra Charity Birmingham offers you the chance to have a positive impact as you join a committed group of colleagues in ensuring that all students achieve their aims and aspirations. We are dedicated to providing exceptional education and support to students with diverse learning needs and life experiences. Our specialist setting fosters an inclusive community where every student is valued, supported, and empowered to reach their full potential.

QAC offers a vibrant, varied and enriching educational experience for both residential and day students. Our curriculum aims to maximise adult life, independence and work opportunities for all students. Class sizes are designed to meet specific needs and support levels are high.

Joining our supportive team, you will have the opportunity to:
- Work closely with students with SEN to achieve their goals
- Make a difference to the educational experience of young people
- Be a voice for students and staff in specialist education
- Foster a positive and inclusive learning environment, promoting academic growth, self-development and self-confidence
- Develop your own skills, aspirations and progress your career.

Our benefits include;
Schedule 1 Benefits (reviewed annually and/or as appropriate)
- Access to on site car parking
- Use of QAC Fitness Centre (subject to opening hours)
- Cycle to Work Scheme (Salary Sacrifice)
- 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme Helpline (BHSF)
- Access to Education Support Free Helpline for Teachers & Education Staff
- QAC Mental Health First Aiders & activities to support health and wellbeing
- BHSF Benefits Package including Healthcare Plans, discounted shopping/services
- Annual Flu vaccination/voucher
- Access to other benefit/discount schemes (which may be subject to charge) e.g. Blue Light Card, TOTUM (NUS), Charity Worker Discounts, Discounts for Teachers
- Dell Advantage programme - a free programme that offers savings to students, parents and all staff at QAC - up to 20% off. https://www.dell.com/en-uk/lp/dell-advantage
- Health and Wellbeing Services (Occupational Health/Counselling)
- Free Tea/Coffee and Staff Room facilities
- Dining Room facilities with hot/cold food (free meal provided for those supporting students at mealtimes)
- Additional discretionary concessionary/closure days as part of leave entitlement (including closure over Christmas/New Year period)
- Reward and Recognition Policy – Living the Values Awards (team & individual) and long service
- Enhanced/Occupational paid leave e.g. maternity/paternity (subject to qualifying criteria)
- Occupational sick pay (based on length of service)
- On site wellbeing activities (e.g. yoga, meditation)
- Support for training/ CPD (either by way of study leave and/or funding)
- Flexible working arrangements including Flexible Working Policy Agreements, Time Off in Lieu (TOIL) in prior agreement with line manager.
This list is not exhaustive and may be subject to review and/or change.