Support Worker

Lead Specialist Support Worker

Have you got 2years experience in a Care environment?

Have you got good problem-solving skills and able to assess risk, respond and resolve issues?

Are you someone that can be a member of the team but step up and lead when required?

Will you stay up to date with developments in the Autism field and Positive Behaviour support?

Then we have an excellent opportunity for you! On average our starting salary for a support worker is £22,840 per year (based on a 35-hour week and including one sleep in per week at £60 per night). Just working an additional 6 hours per week, i.e., 41 hours, will allow you to earn £26,224 per year. Indeed, our Support Workers can earn significantly higher salaries by picking up overtime, with many of our experienced workers earning more than £30,000 per year. We currently pay 5 days pay if staff are unable to work due to Covid and provide company sick pay after 1 year's service.

Hourly Rate of Pay: From £22,840 pa pro rata (£11.00 per hour plus enhancement when stepping up to lead a shift)

Hours: 35

Shift:

Early 7.30am to 4pm

Late - 4pm to 10.30pm

Please see new Rota attached.

Location: Perrys Close, Faversham

About the Role: Team Leader

Our Team Leaders are responsible for ensuring our high standard of person-centred care is maintained. Working hands on alongside their team providing guidance and support; helping them to develop in their roles and supporting a positive working culture. With the ability to communicate and build relationships with people from all walks of life. Liaising with families, health care professional and other stakeholders to ensure that the best care is provided. Have knowledge and experience of administering medication. Deal with challenging situations quickly, resolving them by being able to think on their feet. Making sure all service user and staff records are maintained. Ideally, you will already be an experienced Team Leader that has led a committed team of experienced and new to care staff within a service for people with autism.

Meet the Team:

Our Perrys Close site offers superb, purpose built modern residential accommodation currently for 5 adults with Autism. Our tenants participate in a wide range of activities and enjoy walks along the coast, going out for dinner, baking, working on the services allotment, cycling, and chatting about their own interests as well as listening to all kind of music. The specialist staff team in situ are looking forward to welcoming a new colleague and have suggested we let you know they love a good theme night, are all friendly and eager to welcome you to the team!

Training Provided:

• Care Certificate (can accept transferable evidenced certificate)
• Company Induction
• KAT Foundation Training Award
• Specialist Pathway Training
• Health and Safety and Compliance Training
• On the job observation and assessments

Tasks / Responsibilities of a lead Support Worker (may include but not limited to):

• Drive a mobility car or service vehicle. Manual Licence required
• Working with individuals who can display challenging behaviours hurting self or others, running away, throwing things, swearing, shouting and damaging property.
• Support individuals within the community in activities such as bike rides, long walks & shopping.
• Administering medication
• Assisting individuals with personal care and hygiene
• Be confident & experienced in lone working.
• Staff in CQC Registered and Supported Living services are required to undertake sleep-in shifts and receive an allowance, topped up to NLW
• Household management tasks including cooking, cleaning etc.
• Uphold their privacy, confidentially and dignity.
• Handle money to shop, going to the bank etc.
• Working with and supporting individuals with additional needs, such as epilepsy, pica, learning disabilities.
• To form good working relationships with other members of staff across different services.
• Ensuring written records are correctly maintained.
• Staff in CQC Registered and Supported Living services are required to undertake sleep-in shifts and receive an allowance, topped up to NLW where appropriate.

Qualities of a Lead Specialist Support Worker:

• An ability to think on your feet and problem solve.
• Understanding everyone's abilities and support needs.
• Promoting independence and choice
• Promoting equality, diversity & inclusion
• Form good working relationships with other members of staff.
• A commitment to continuous personal development and learning.

Benefits We Offer you as a lead Specialist Support Worker:

We offer many benefits, which include some salary sacrifice arrangements, although some benefits are dependent on a minimum earnings threshold:

• Paid DBS Check
• 28 days holiday, plus option to buy 5 extra days pa (Pro Rata for Part Time Positions)
• Company Sick Pay after 12 months service
• Death in Service Benefits
• Some meals provided, depending on shifts
• Long Service and Contribution Recognition Awards
• Pension (after 3 months)
• Employee Assistance Programme, with counselling services
• Significant Retail and Leisure Discount Scheme that could save staff an average of £1,000 pa
• Discounted Gym Membership
• Financial Well-being Scheme (loans and savings)
• Additional Sleep In Shifts may be available
• Opportunities to pick up additional voluntary casual shifts at enhanced rates
• Superb paid training
• Regulated Care Qualification Sponsorship
• Refer a Friend Via Care Friends, where points equal pounds

About the Trust:

Supporting over 100 people in Medway and across Kent, The Kent Autistic Trust provides a wide range of services designed to meet diverse needs of the people we support with autism, learning disabilities and related difficulties. We provide residential homes, supported living accommodation, day resource services, respite, and outreach services. Ensuring the voice of those we support is actively listened to, working for us often means that no two days are the same, but the care and support we give is of consistently high quality, with CQC rating all our services good, and many outstanding.

Our Values and Commitment:

KAT is committed to providing high quality supports designed around individual abilities, needs and choices. KAT is committed to promoting independence and inclusion within communities. KAT believes everyone is able to make their own individual contribution. KAT seeks to work in partnership with all relevant parties but in particular with the individual themselves.

We seek Support Workers who really value every person, whether it's the people we support, their families, carers, or other staff by respecting their priorities, needs, abilities and limits.

We hope you are one of them!

We do not accept applications made via agencies for Support Workers.

Please find attached a copy of our Privacy Notice. Or a copy can be found on our website.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if a suitable candidate is found or experiencing a high volume of applications.