BROTHERS OF CHARITY SERVICES IRELAND – WEST REGION
POST: PERMANENT FULL-TIME SUPPORT WORKER
SKYLARK RESIDENTIAL SERVICES, ATHENRY, CO. GALWAY
JOB REF: 60/2024E
A panel may be formed as a result of this process from which subsequent Permanent and Temporary Support Worker appointments within the Skylark Services may be made over the next 6 months.

The Role:
Support Workers provide a key-working supportive role for a group of people supported by the services. This role comprises of two main elements. Firstly, the Support Worker is responsible for all aspects of personal care required during the day. This includes supporting individuals with their meals, personal hygiene and other related aspects of physical well-being, to the extent required by the individual. Secondly, a major focus of the Support Worker role is to assist people supported by the services with development of Individual Plans and the achievement of associate outcomes, and critically, to support individuals in participating in the ordinary everyday life of the community through inclusive and creative thinking.

Reporting/Responsible To:
Team Leader/Senior Staff/Service Coordinator/Area Manager.

Qualifications:
The successful candidate must have a good general education. A recognised qualification in the field of intellectual disability or a FETAC level 5 course is desirable.

Experience:
Experience working with individuals with an intellectual disability and individuals with challenging behaviour is desirable.

Skills:
Candidates must be able to demonstrate flexibility, communication and team-working skills, together with an enthusiasm for the post. Some basic IT skills is also an advantage.

A full clean manual Irish Driving Licence (Class B) is an essential requirement of this post. It may be necessary for the appointee to obtain a Class D1 Driving Licence (if not already in possession of one). Assistance will be given towards this purpose of obtaining a class D1 licence.

Fluency in verbal and written English is an essential requirement of this post.

Working Hours:
78 hours per fortnight based on a 14 day duty roster. The successful candidates will be required to work a variety of shifts including weekends, public holidays, split duty hours, night duty and sleepover duty to meet service needs. The Brothers of Charity model of service is based on Personal Outcome Measures requiring employees to be flexible in their working hours to provide a quality service delivery for each individual.

Annual Leave:
22 days per annum.

Remuneration:
€ 31,880 x 11 increments - € 44,248 (max) pro rata per annum.

Long Service Increment (LSI) € 45,034 per annum is payable after 3 years on the maximum of the
scale.

Additional payments will be made for weekends, public holidays and night duty when worked.

Tenure:
This post is permanent full-time and pensionable.

Probation:
A probationary period of nine months from the date of appointment applies to the post. The employment may be terminated at any time during the probationary period should the employer find that the appointee is unsuitable to continue employment. The probation period may be extended at the Employer’s discretion.

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Brothers of Charity model of service is based on Personal Outcome Measures requiring employees to be flexible both in their approach and their working hours to provide a quality service delivery for each individual.

Specific Conditions

• Staff must have a positive attitude towards working with persons with an intellectual disability and help to ensure that they lead as normal and enjoyable a life as possible.
• Staff must treat each person with an intellectual disability as an individual and at all times acknowledge and respect the rights and personal dignity of the person with an intellectual disability.
• Staff are required to establish and maintain relationships with adults with disabilities that are based on respect and equality and that promote their independence.

Main duties, functions and responsibilities:

Team Member and Relationships:

• Develop and foster good relationships with people we support and their families.
• Be a nominated key worker, when required within the service and ensure all documentation relating to each person we support is maintained.
• Co-operate on all aspects of programmes with the staff and the multidisciplinary team members.
• Assist with the development and implementation of programmes for a particular group of people we support and contribute when appropriate to the formulation of programmes designed for the needs of individuals.
• Develop a good working relationship with families and key people involved with the people we support, as appropriate.
• Keep appropriate records to enable full reports on the people supported by the services to be available to the multidisciplinary staff and Team Leader/Manager.
• Actively contribute to and participate in ensuring compliance with HIQA standards and that care delivered is in line with our organisational policies.
• Assist and carry out in person household cleaning, cooking meals, laundry and shopping, when required.

Health, Safety and Hygiene:

• Participate in assisting people we support with personal hygiene and personal care and promote their independence. Assist with exercise and physiotherapy as directed.
• Ensure that a high standard of cleanliness is maintained according to the service’s hygiene policy.
• Assist in maintaining a pleasant décor in the centre and refresh where appropriate.
• Be aware of and become familiar with procedures in the event of a fire, i.e. fire detection, evacuation and fire fighting.
• Be conscious of Health & Safety matters in the workplace and, in particular, to comply with employees’ obligations as set out under Chapter 2 of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005.
• Ensure that all accidents/incidents to the people we support, staff and visitors are reported promptly via the AIRS Database.
• Complete the training on Medication Management and Administration
• Administer medication in line with the Brothers of Charity Medication Policy.

Personal Outcomes:

• Ensure that the care of all people we support is of the highest professional standard.
• Ensure that the people we support learning experience is well planned and safe.
• Ensure that the Individual Personal Outcomes Plan and Key Worker system is actively practiced.
• Assist people we support in making informed decisions.
• Assist individuals with personal banking and adhering to the National Guidelines on managing individual finances.
• Assist individuals in achieving their personal goals and choices.
• Facilitate reporting at individual plan meetings and similar exercises.
• Participation in swimming activities is an essential component of the post.
• Participation in people supported by the services holidays and breaks away is an essential requirement of the post.
• Be an active participant in the Team Based Performance Process and take on roles that are assigned to you.

General:

• Be aware of the Brothers of Charity Services policies, procedures and guidelines and operate within these in all aspects of your work.
• Ensure strict confidentiality in all matters concerning people we support including the safe storage of reports and records.
• Comply with all national regulations and standards as set down by HIQA. And New Directions.
• Responsibility in the maintenance of all databases associated with the Services.
• Adhere to best practice in all aspects of your work.
• Assist with escorting individuals while travelling on buses as required.
• Drive the service vehicle in order to meet the needs of the people supported by the services.
• Be responsible for the purchase of all consumable goods and other goods, e.g. cleaning and washing materials, and record purchases as required.
• Attend and participate in training as required by the service including The Safe Administration of Medication where required.
• Promote dignity at work and show respect to people we support, colleagues and stakeholders in the course of duty.
• Perform such other duties appropriate to the post as may be assigned from time to time by the Service Coordinator/Area Manager including the administration of medication. All duties must be carried out in person at all times.

The role of the post holder will not be limited by reference to this job description. It would be expected that the role will evolve as professional, structural and people supported by the services demands and the post holder will be expected to demonstrate flexibility skills that will facilitate this.
Informal enquiries to Orla Haddigan on 087 1454792 or Jim Noone on 087 6568796.

The closing date for receipt of all applications on-line is 5pm, Monday 9th September 2024

Interviews will take place on Monday 23rd September 2024.

The Brothers of Charity Services Ireland is an equal opportunities employer.