Support Assistant

DUTIES

The post holder will be required to take an active part in ensuring that the day-to-day operations of the Service reflect the ethos and vision of Corlann South East and that all co-workers are meeting the needs of the individuals who are supported by the services therein.

The person appointed will be part of Cairdeas Services support team who will work intensively with individuals who have a diagnosis of autism to discover what will constitute a good life for the individual and to establish what supports the individual will need to achieve their goals. In order to do this there is a requirement that the post holder will work in partnership with the individual’s family and other important people in the individual’s life. A high degree of flexibility is required as the timing and location of the supports provided will be dictated by the individual’s plan.

The person appointed should have the ability to participate proactively as a member of a team and contribute positively to the ongoing development of effective teamwork.

Subject to the agreed policies and procedures of the Corlann South East, the person appointed shall: -

Advocacy & Rights

1 uphold and respect the human, legal and constitutional rights of each individual using services and their family, recognising their individuality and equality, and empowering them to grow, thereby achieving the highest possible level of personal autonomy;

2 facilitate, encourage and develop each individual supported by the services choice and decision making skills;

3 enable each individual supported by the services to pursue and maintain their individual hobbies and interests;

4 foster, encourage and develop the self help and social skills of each individual supported by the services so as to achieve the greatest degree of autonomy possible;

5 facilitate each individual supported by the services to actively participate and integrate into the community, through the use of generic community facilities;

6 facilitate, encourage and develop each individual supported by the services and family’s self-advocacy skills and opportunities for involvement in advocacy;

Person Centred Support for Learning

7 In the context of the individual and group Programmes, individuals supported by the services and their families with aspects of individual and group programmes including:

 Cognitive development

 Communication

 Gross and Fine motor skills

 Leisure and Sporting activities

 Physiotherapy

 Personal Care,

 Behaviour support programmes

 Social integration, including use of local community facilities

 Independent Living Skills.

 Literacy and Numeracy programmes as appropriate

 Basic skills training

 Massage and Relaxation therapy

8 assist with fostering, encouraging and developing each individual supported by the services’ self care skills, particularly in relation to personal hygiene, health matters and care for their personal appearance;

9 act as a Key Worker for specific individuals supported by the Services.

10 achieve competency in driving the centre transport and participate in transport duties as required. This may necessitate flexible starting and finishing times;

11 as a full team member to accept delegated responsibility for the physical and emotional well being as well as the personal hygiene of the individuals supported by the service;

12 participate and assist with the organisation of centre outings;

Management and Leadership:

13 Be responsible for the physical and emotional well being of individuals supported by the services.

14 Be responsible for the safe use and care of equipment and report faulty equipment etc., as it arises.

15 Be familiar with and ensure that policies, procedures and codes of practice of the Services are adhered to.

16 Ensure that all records in relation to individuals supported by the services are up to date, correctly filed and managed as per the service’s records management system.

17 Report all accident/incidents and take appropriate action.

18 Utilise efficiently the transport services available to the service area and advise the appropriate staff on transport needs.

Money and Budgets

19 Ensure that all petty cash and the personal monies of the individuals supported by the services are properly accounted for.

20 Be responsible for maintaining a petty cash float, keeping relevant records and ensuring that accounts are checked and balanced.

21 Ensure that goods and services received are prudently used for purposes intended.

22 Assist the Team Leader in the preparation and monitoring of budgets.

23 be responsible for requisitioning consumable and durable goods when duly authorised and ensuring that due economy is exercised both in the making of such requisitions and in their subsequent use, and that they are fully accounted for;

Communication

24 Attend and participate fully in regular staff meetings where all aspects of the service area are discussed with a view to maintaining high standards.

25 Promote open communication among staff and good levels of staff morale.

26 Co-operate and develop and maintain effective working relationships with:

• Individuals supported by the services and their families

• All other staff involved in the provision of both residential and day services

• Families, visitors, volunteers and other such personnel who visit

27 Operate effectively as a member of the multi-disciplinary team in promoting the best interests of the individuals in the service area.

28 Encourage families to develop their involvement in the ongoing development of the person.

29 Report all matters of concern immediately to the Team Leader/Services Manager.

30 Organise, attend and participate fully in meetings as required e.g. Person Centred Planning meetings, Service Area reviews, team meetings. Record meetings in line with agreed procedures.

31 Actively participate in developing and maintaining good relationships with local residents and community organisations.

32 Develop and participate fully with the implementation of a team based performance management approach to achieving the goals of the Services’ strategic plan.

Training and Development

33 Be informed of current developments in services for people with intellectual disabilities e.g. Person Centred Planning, Personal Outcome Measures, Human Rights and Citizenship, “New Directions- Review of day services and implementation Plan 2012-2016”, Supported Self Directed Living.

34 Attend and contribute appropriately at lectures, courses and meetings as required and share information and knowledge gained with colleagues.

35 Be responsible for identifying personal training and development needs and communicating them to the Team Leader/Services Manager.

36 Attend mandatory training courses and achieve required standard.

Health and Safety

37 Be conscious of health and safety matters in the work place and in particular to comply with employees’ obligations as set out in the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 2005 and to ensure that the procedures set out in the Safety Statement are implemented at all times.

38 Carry out regular safety audits and fire drills.

39 Be conversant with existing fire regulations and emergency procedures and participate in the implementation of same. Make people who use our services aware, in so far as possible, of Fire Drill procedures.

40 Ensure equipment is properly operated and maintained.

41 Report accidents/irregularities or other matters of safety concern to the Team Leader or in her/his absence to the Services Manager or such person as the Employing Authority may designate.

42 Identify risk, assess and document appropriately.

Flexibility

Employees are expected to have a high level of flexibility and a willingness and ability to develop new approaches to their work. Duties and responsibilities of any post in the Services are likely to change with the ongoing needs and developments of the Services. Employees will therefore be required to carry out such other duties appropriate to their employment as may be assigned to him/her from time to time.