Support Worker - casual

This is an excellent opportunity to work flexible hours and to gain experience of working with children and young people with special needs in a caring, educational environment. Shifts vary within residential services from 7am – 10pm during the day and nights from 10pm - 7am. School and College hours are between 9am – 4pm. All areas will include personal care for our students.

Employer:Young Epilepsy

Salary: £7.53 an hour

Location:Lingfield

Job Purpose

To support student development under the direction of the relevant line manager by contributing to the students’ educational, social and developmental curriculum and participating in its delivery as a member of a co-ordinated team.

Key Tasks

A Student Support Worker may be responsible for all or some of the following areas:

To create in conjunction with other members of staff a caring, safe and acceptable atmosphere in which growth and independence are fostered by the maintenance of a supportive and positive role.
To provide a continuity and consistency of support to the relevant line manager thereby facilitating the students access to and progress in any educational, social, therapy or developmental programmes that are being applied.
To undertake specific tasks with individuals or groups as directed by the line manager or other senior staff members.
To ensure that all relevant information relating to the students (e.g. concerning behaviour, personal development, medical incidents etc.) is relayed to appropriate staff members and recorded in accordance with The Young Epilepsy policy and procedures.
To follow and act upon Behaviour Management guidelines, advice and programmes in line with the philosophy of positive reinforcement and the Behaviour Management policy at The Young Epilepsy.
To provide the students with encouragement, reassurance and comfort, and when necessary to help in the management of those students who may be aggressive, distressed or disruptive, in accordance with skills and training.
To support at all times the long term aim for student independence by encouraging the growth of these skills, but to nonetheless assist, when appropriate, with the physical and personal care of the students.
To participate in various recreational, educational and social activities and to accompany students either to other areas of the site or off site for scheduled meetings or activities.
To liaise with other staff (Line Managers, Student Support Workers, Teachers etc.) during the allocated handover periods regarding the students` behaviour and development.
To attend appropriate in-service training as required by the job role.
To ensure that educational and recreational equipment and aids are both prepared and cleared away following direction from the Line Manager. To undertake any activities as may be required to ensure the safe and effective running of any assigned working area in compliance with Health and Safety regulations.
To receive parents and visitors in an informal manner, but nonetheless in accordance with The Young Epilepsy’s policy, as required.
To work in any area and transfer between areas as requested.

General

Ensure all duties are carried out in accordance with Health and Safety regulations as given in Health and Safety Manual.

This Job Description is not exhaustive and the postholder may be required to undertake other appropriate duties and projects from time to time.

Young Epilepsy is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Person Profile

Job Specification:Casual Support Worker

Directorate:School, Further Education, Health and Social Care

Key Criteria	Essential	Desirable
Qualifications	Numeracy and Literacy Level 1	Numeracy and Literacy Level 2 Relevant NVQ3 or equivalent Relevant Degree
Experience		Work or voluntary experience of working with children or young adults Experience of young people with disabilities Experience of personal care Experience of leading a recreational, educational or social activity with a group of young people
Skills and Knowledge	To be able to provide consistency of care and support to the student group Ability to interact with a range of people/young people To be able to take direction from supervisors in line with Young Epilepsy policies and procedures Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing Ability to liaise with others, attend meetings and report on student progress Ability to work as part of a team Good organisational and time management skills Ability to prioritise and respond to differing demands as required To be prepared to undertake training requirements of the position	Knowledge of young people who have complex and multiple learning disabilities including challenging behaviour Knowledge of Safeguarding/POVA
Personal Qualities	Sensitivity, integrity, adaptability Ability to work flexible and unsocial hours Good attendance record Work with the organisational values Undertake relevant qualification(s) and training to meet requirements of job role – ie literacy and numeracy, CACHE in school and NVQ3 in Care and FE To be prepared to develop further training and knowledge beyond the basic requirements of the position