Autism Initiatives

Employer Location: Antrim
Phone Number: 02890699130
Email: recruitment@ai-ni.co.uk
Web: www.autisminitiatives.org

Job description

We are seeking Support Workers to join our team. You will work alongside people who use our services, supporting in a range of activities, including developing independence in daily living, accessing work/education and leisure activities. At Autism Initiatives we work alongside autistic people, providing specialist services tailored to each individual. Our Values, shown below, underpin every aspect of the organisation’s culture and activities in NI: Autism-Focused, Respect, Excellence, Empowerment, Collaboration, Commitment to Change and Rights-based.

Responsibilities

• Be able to work on their own initiative, and be able to plan and organise daily activities and routines for themselves and the team.
• Provide direction and support to junior members of staff, and assist the Team Leader in the overall management of the service.
• Ensuring clear, effective, appropriate, positive, channels of communication within the staff team.
• Specifically take account of the choices, needs and wishes of each Person Supported, involving them in their own plans and day to day decisions and assisting them to integrate within the local community.
• Ensure that the personal belongings of the People Supported are treated with respect and enable, as much as possible, the People Supported to maintain contact with their family and friends as appropriate.
• Take personal responsibility for learning about each Person Supported and the way autism affects them; for ‘listening’ to the individual; and for reflecting on own practice to continuously develop their own knowledge and skills.
• Assist the People Supported to settle in their new home and to assess their skills and needs in liaison with relevant persons and to be involved in the transition procedure.
• Undertake duties such as laundry, shopping, cleaning and reporting and documenting any maintenance requirements.
• Maintain the People Supported and staff confidentiality at all times. Ensure information is only disclosed to those who have a right and need for this.
• Develop person centred working relationships with the People Supported, carrying out any Key Worker responsibilities in a professional manner.
• Produce/contribute to assessments and reports as required.
• Assist in planning and pursing agreed strategies to support and alleviate behaviour that presents challenge.
• Provide verbal / written reports to line management as required.
• Attend, contribute to and chair case reviews as required.
• Liaise with external agencies and/or parents and relatives to establish the best interests of the People Supported as required, including health and well being.
• Supervise specific members of staff, students or volunteers, supported by a senior member of staff, promoting a team approach at all times.
• Maintain records of untoward incidents, accidents and near misses for the People Supported and staff as appropriate and in accordance with AI Policy and Procedure.
• Participate in any grievance, complaint or disciplinary action, in accordance with the organisation’s procedures, in conjunction with your line manager and as directed by the HR department.
• Attend and participate in all meetings and training as required, including own supervision and appraisals and a willingness to develop within the role/company.
• Participate in the induction / training / development of new and current staff and be supportive to staff in difficult or potentially difficult situations within the workplace.
• Be supportive to all team members.
• Take responsibility for a particular administrative area, e.g. medication, petty cash, rotas etc as directed and guided by the Team Leader.
• Deputise for the Team Leader in the event of his/her absence with appropriate support from other managers. Forward absence information to HR as required.
• Take responsibility for ‘on call’ duties when required.
• Work with managers to identify needs and access relevant learning and development opportunities and share that learning with others.
• Work as part of a team, sharing responsibility fairly and being supportive of others at all times, whilst promoting non-discriminatory practices.
• To ensure safe and appropriate handling of the People Supported monies and to handle petty cash in accordance with AI policies and procedures and to assist with records and returns as required in respect of this area.

Skills and Qualifications

Essential Skills

• Minimum of six month’s experience (paid or voluntary) supporting people with Autism or Learning disabilities and associated conditions.
• GCSE English and Maths at grade C or above, or equivalent.
• A full UK driving licence to be held for a minimum of one year.
• Be flexible to work on a rota basis that includes job rotation in various services, unsocial hours and weekends.
• NISCC registered or apply to register on appointment.