Job Description

About Us

Hightown is a charitable housing association operating principally in Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire. We believe everyone should have a home and the support they need, so our aim is to build new homes and to provide excellent housing and support.

We currently manage over 8,000 homes and employ over 1,000 full and part time staff from our head office in Hemel Hempstead. We have an annual turnover of \xc2\xa3120 million and a development programme that will deliver over 400 new affordable homes each year.

About the Role

We currently have an opportunity for a part time (16 hours per week) Support Worker at our service, Pymcombe Close in Princes Risborough. This is a fixed term contract for 6 months.

Job Specification:

We are seeking a dedicated and compassionate individual to provide support to a service user in the community who has Autism, complex needs, anxiety disorder, and displays challenging behaviour. The successful candidate will play a crucial role in enhancing the service users quality of life and promoting their independence.

This role offers a unique opportunity to make a positive difference in someones life. By supporting an individual with Autism, you will play a vital role in helping them overcome everyday challenges and maintain positive connections with others. In this position, no day is the same, providing variety and the chance to develop new skills while adapting to the ever-changing needs of the service user. You will experience the rewards of seeing the service user thrive, grow, and achieve their goals, knowing that your contribution has made a meaningful impact on their well-being and overall quality of life.

We are looking for experienced individuals who can demonstrate:

1. Patience and Calmness under Pressure: The ideal candidate must demonstrate patience and remain calm even in challenging situations. They should be able to maintain composure when faced with stressful circumstances and effectively manage any arising difficulties.

2. Compassion and Empathy: A deep sense of compassion and empathy is necessary to understand and connect with the service users needs. The ability to demonstrate genuine care and support while maintaining a professional approach is essential.

3. Good Professional Boundaries: The candidate should have a strong understanding of professional boundaries and adhere to them consistently. Maintaining appropriate relationships and respecting confidentiality is vital to ensure the service users well-being and trust.

4. De-escalation Skills: Experience and knowledge in de-escalating challenging behaviour is essential. The candidate should be able to employ effective strategies to diffuse tense situations, prioritise the safety of the service user and others, and prevent further escalation.

5. Adaptability and Flexibility: The candidate must be adaptable to changing needs and environments. They should be capable of adjusting their approach and support strategies to accommodate the service users evolving requirements effectively.

6. Experience with Vulnerable Individuals: Prior experience working with vulnerable individuals, including those with mental health issues, learning disabilities, or complex needs, is highly desirable. Understanding the specific challenges faced by individuals with such needs is crucial for providing appropriate support.

7. Psychological Informed Approach: The candidate should possess knowledge and familiarity with a psychologically informed way of working. This includes understanding trauma-informed care and approaches that prioritise the psychological well-being of the service user.

8. Car Driver: A valid drivers license and access to a car is a requirement for this role. The candidate must be able to transport the service user safely to various locations such as college, food shopping, and appointments.

Responsibilities:

The successful candidate will be responsible for supporting the service user with their daily living activities, including but not limited to:

- Assisting with breakfast preparation

- Administering and supporting with medication as prescribed

- Providing support with personal care, such as dressing and self-care

- Helping with household tasks, including cleaning and cooking

- Assisting the service user in attending college and managing educational tasks

- Accompanying the service user for food shopping trips

- Facilitating connections with family and friends to promote social engagement and support networks

If you possess the necessary skills, experience, and qualities outlined above, we encourage you to apply for this rewarding position. Your dedication and commitment will contribute significantly to the service users well-being and overall quality of life.

Benefits

In return for your hard work and commitment, we offer a benefits package which includes:

• Generous annual leave allowance of 33 days per year, including statutory bank holidays, rising to 35 days with service
• \xc2\xa310,299 pa for a 16hour week
• Regular support from your line manager and colleagues
• Annual bonus based on satisfactory performance
• Monthly attendance bonus on top of your basic salary
• Annual salary and cost of living review
• Commitment to health and wellbeing with the Five Ways to Wellbeing
• Ongoing professional development and support to deliver outstanding support
• Workplace pension scheme and life assurance of three times your annual salary
• Refer-a-friend scheme: Earn a \xc2\xa3130 bonus for each friend you refer to work for us
• Access to Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for use at work
• Access to COVID-19 vaccinations
• Friendly and supportive team environment
• Employee assistance helpline
• Mileage paid for car usage
• Fully paid DBS

If you are interested in joining our friendly team, please download the job description and click apply below.

Appointment to this position will be subject to satisfactory right to work, enhanced DBS, reference and medical checks.

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We are an Equal Opportunities Employer.

We are a Disability Confident Employer.

For more information about this position please open the following documents:

Hightown Housing Association