Job Description

Being a Support Worker at AFG is a hugely rewarding role and could be your first step on a long and happy career in Health & Social Care.

So, what does a Support Worker do?

We have a vision to create a world where people control their lives. Here at AFG, we pride ourselves on helping the people we support to design, develop and \'own\' the support they receive by planning this with them; we support people to make informed choices and increase their own independence; and we support people to maintain their own health, wellbeing and living environment. These principles are really important to us.

Our Support Workers work in a variety of settings including community-based services (often supporting people in their own homes) to our Treatment & Recovery Centres.

One thing that is common across all of our services is a focus on personalised support and tailoring our services to the needs and aspirations of the people we support with a diverse range of care needs (including Learning Disabilities, Physical Disabilities, Mental Health Concerns, Complex Care, Substance Misuse issues to name a few).

We value the people that work with us\xe2\x80\xa6

At AFG we recognise the contribution and value that our staff make. We would not be able to provide the life changing support that we do without people like you! In return for your contribution we will support you throughout your career and we provide a wide range of employee benefits, career development (including opportunities to undertake vocational qualifications) and lifestyle support services to ensure that you too feel supported, fulfilled and valued from day one of your employment with us.

About you\xe2\x80\xa6

There are a few things that we look for in all of our support workers; we would need you to\xe2\x80\xa6

• be a good communicator (verbally and in writing)
• be patient, confident and enthusiastic about caring for others
• be able to use your own initiative
• be able to work as part of a team
• have flexibility to work a varied shift pattern to provide 24-hour support
• share our AFG values

We don\'t ask for any other relevant training or a previous career in care as full training will be provided - you just need a willingness to learn and develop.

Your pay - our Support Workers receive a rate of \xc2\xa311.00 per hour for all worked hours. Once you are successful for a role with us, full details of your pay will be included in your written offer.

As a \'values based\' employer, the people that work for us genuinely care about the people they support, and we are seeking likeminded people to join our AFG family. If you are passionate about caring for others and have a real desire to make a positive difference to the lives of the people we support then we would love to hear from you.

More about this vacancy...
We asked the Team Leader to tell us more about this role and the amazing person that we need to work here.

Where is this vacancy based?
This vacancy is based in St. Helens.

Who do you support?
We support 3 ladies who have lived together for few years now.

All three ladies can communicate verbally and make their preferences known.

One of the ladies love art and is currently taking an art class of an evening at St Helens college, another lady loves music and discos and all 3 ladies love coach trips out and about.

Where do they live?
They live in a 4 bedroom detached house, located just outside of town with a large garden, kitchen-dining room and a large lounge area. There is public transportation close by for accessing the local town centre.

What would a typical shift be like?
At the start of a day shift you will support the ladies with verbal prompts of personal care (showers) and verbal prompts with getting dressed, choosing clothes.

The ladies will then need support with choosing their breakfast and may need a little support making it either physically or verbal prompts.

Full support is needed for administration of medication.

The ladies will need verbal prompts of support with daily tasks around their home - cleaning and tidy their bedrooms, lounge area and generally any areas of their home. From there the ladies will have a chat with the support staff and decide what they would like to do individually that day for an activity if it\'s not already planned.

Usually in the afternoon the house will quiet down if the ladies are out on an activity.

One of the ladies currently loves to watch Christmas movies and will do this in the afternoon after her activity.

Support staff will ask the ladies what they would like for their evening meal. The ladies will choose to get involved and make the evening meal, after evening meal, it slows down and ladies will watch some tv, movies or listen to music.

The ladies love being involved with daily tasks at home.

What activities do the people that we support at this property like to do?
The 3 ladies love to be out and about * walks * coach trips * discos * Attending theaters/ music shows * Art class

Are there any skills or interests that a candidate could have that would be great to use to support this service?
We would like someone who likes to go out and about on walks who is chatty and outgoing. We would also like someone who enjoys cooking and try new recipes including healthy choices of meals as well as baking cakes, We need someone who uses public transport, is open minded to new experiences.

What is the team here or is it lone-working?
You will work along side 2 other female staff though out the day with sleep in shift on the evening.

What are your shift patterns?
Long days 8 am - 10 pm , 7 am - 1600 , sleep in - 2200 - 0700.

We hope this has given you more insight into this role and we hope to see your application soon.

Please note our Support Workers are contracted by area therefore flexibility is essential to work in other services where required.

Alternative Futures Group