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Job description

A Night Assistant is responsible for supporting young people by providing physical and emotional care during a waking night shift. This involves working as part of a team to maintain a stable, happy and caring environment that puts the health, safety and welfare of young people first. Basic but vital parts of this include regular and punctual attendance at work, the need to act professionally and to be a good role model for young people and other staff. .

Responsibilities

• To remain vigilant and do everything possible to protect young people and others from abuse of a physical, emotional, sexual, neglectful, financial or institutional nature.
• This includes an absolute requirement to report any incident of this nature you witness, hear about or suspect.
• To encourage regular sleep patterns and support evening and night activities in accordance with a young persons care plan.
• To build and promote good relationships and communication with young people and staff.
• To maintain a safe, clean and enjoyable environment.
• To learn about young peoples individual special needs and help meet those needs in the most appropriate way; to assist in the person centred planning process and promote a young persons choice.
• To ensure medical needs are met at all times
• To take an active part in training, to provide the necessary skills, Knowledge and qualifications required to effectively fulfil the role.
• To work in a person centred manner ensuring young people are as independent as possible when promoting personal health care and physical, emotional and financial wellbeing.
• To complete any tasks or checks set for them during their shift, this may include cleaning the home or laundry etc.
• Participate in staff meetings, consultations, group discussions and formal supervision as required.
• Commitment to flexible working hours.
• To participate in and contribute to staff training programmes when appropriate.
• To participate where appropriate in independence training and after care programmes for young persons leaving care.
• To attend meetings, check communication books, notice boards, diaries and pigeon-holes daily to actively seek relevant communications.
• To participate in developing preventative family work programmes as required.
• To be aware of and implement legislative and statutory requirements; eg the requirements of the Health and Safety at Work Order (NI) 1979 as it pertains to this post, and comply with the Trusts Safety Policies.

Skills and Qualifications

Essential Skills

• Minimum level 3 Qualification in any of the below areas: Social Work, Youth and Community Work, Occupational Therapy, Teaching, Nursing, Childcare and Health & Social Care.
• Hold a current driving license valid for use in the UK and have access to a car on appointment. (where disability prohibits driving, this criterion will be waived if the applicant is able to organise suitable alternative arrangements.
• 1 years experience of working with children / young people in a similar setting. Ability to communicate effectively. Ability to maintain accurate documentation.
• Ability to work in partnership with staff within and outside the programme of care. Effective planning and organisational skills with an ability to prioritise workload. Knowledge of statutory responsibilities to children looked after.
• Ability to demonstrate reasoning, numeracy, literacy and technology skills to required standard. Ability to work as a team, working closely with colleagues and other agencies. Ability to solve problems.
• Able to work within the principles of the Childrens Act. Demonstrate a sound working knowledge of Child Protection Issues and Procedures. Excellent communication skills both verbally and written.
• Ability to produce reports and daily logs to an appropriate professional standard. Working knowledge of the childrens Order 1995. Ability to work on own initiative and make decisions in a responsible and accountable manner.