Are you a positive person who wants to make a difference in someone’s life? Are you enthusiastic, willing to work as part of a team and ready to face the challenges any day can bring?
L’Arche London is more than just a service provider, we’re a community of people with and without learning disabilities. We’re part of an international federation with its roots in France. We provide registered care, supported housing and specialist day services – helping around 35 people with sometimes complex learning disabilities live great lives.
We are now looking for a Senior Support Assistant who is ready to co-ordinate the support and care for a female person with a learning disability. You will work on a one to one basis with this person for the bulk of your working time and will take responsibility for the co-ordination of their care across the team for the times you cannot be there. Your willingness to learn and develop your skills and knowledge around how best to support this individual, and to share this with the rest of the team will be an important part of your role.
We need people who are passionate about supporting people with disabilities to lead fulfilled lives. We are looking for a senior assistant who is enthusiastic, resilient and enthusiastic, ready to motivate others into providing consistently high levels of support. It is essential that the post holder can communicate effectively to other members of the team and can draw on and make the most of specialists outside of L’Arche. They should be positive about L’Arche’s unique faith based values and through this be able to encourage and involve friends, volunteers and family members into a wider network of support and engagement.
This is a challenging role. You will be stretched but the potential rewards could be significant. If you apply you could be taking a positive step towards helping an individual with learning disability find a place in the wider Community and to lead a more independent and fulfilling life. In return L’Arche will offer high levels of personal support and a strong interest in your own personal development.
Applicants are asked to send a CV and a short letter outlining why you feel you meet the person specification or fill in the application form on our website. The closing date is 26 July 2022.
SENIOR SUPPORT ASSISTANT – JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title: Senior Support Assistant (Key worker)
Employer: L’Arche UK
Location: You may be required to work at times across all of L’Arche London’s services currently based in and around West Norwood
Hours of work: 40 hours
Reports to: Group Service Co-coordinator or Deputy Service Co-coordinator
Line manages: This role does not have line management responsibilities, but post holders will be expected to mentor, guide and sometimes direct Support Assistants within the group.
Overall purpose of the job:
As a Senior Support Assistant you will work closely with the group Service Co-coordinator and Deputy Co-coordinator, helping support the wider team to provide a professional service that is consistent with L’Arche’s values and wider Community life. In this role you will take particular lead on the support of one individual. You will be expected to mentor, guide and sometimes direct the Support Assistants you work alongside.
Main duties:
Your duties will be the same as a Support Assistant and you will also be asked to do some or all of the following:
• Lead and develop the support for an individual member with a learning disability. Act as her key worker, co-ordinating her support across specialists and the wider team.
• Helping ensure L’Arche is able to provide person centred support for its members with a disability. This may include leading on the preparation of care plans, material for annual reviews or for medical appointments.
• Maximising independence for the person/s with a learning disability through the provision of appropriate person centred support with, personal hygiene, clothing, medical appointments, health needs (including exercise) and medication.
• Help induct new assistants, particularly in the support of this individual. This could include taking them through policies, shadowing and assessing their professional practice following training (for which training will be provided)
• Working with Deputy and Service Co-ordinators to ensure the safe running of the homes you are involved in. Helping identify and trouble shoot small issues or challenges.
• Forming part of the wider leadership team for that group. Meeting with the Deputy and Service Co-coordinator to discuss priorities and the wider wellbeing of the Group.
• On occasions taking the lead on animating key events and meetings within the homes. Helping induct new assistants and members into the key elements of L’Arche. For instance Senior Support Assistants may be asked to lead weekly house meetings or prayers.
• Having a willingness on occasion to work almost as ‘shift leader’ particularly in our larger homes and when there are Newer assistants. Taking initiative to delegate tasks and ensure key duties are covered.
This job description is given to ensure that the post holder has the best opportunity of understanding what is likely to be involved in this role. It is not intended to be prescriptive in every detail and it is likely that the exact task involved will be agreed between the post holder and their line manager.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Skills and abilities – candidates should be able to give evidence of an ability to:
• Communicate effectively and persuasively (E)
• Motivate and encourage colleagues (E)
• Work Creatively and flexibly – allowing the strengths of others to be utilised or further developed (E)
• Maintain resilience and confidence in sometimes stretching situations (E)
• Keep calm and good humoured under pressure (E)
Service skills and experience – candidates should give evidence of skills and experience in the following:
• At least two years’ experience supporting people with disabilities or a something similar with transferable skills (E)
• Supporting and mentoring peers or other staff/assistants (E)
Commitment and enthusiasm – candidates should:
• Demonstrate a strong enthusiasm for L’Arche and empathy with our values and current strategy (E)
• Be open to holding a leadership position within a Christian Community, combined with the capacity to encourage others in their personal and spiritual development, through which ever route they choose. (E)
• A commitment to service excellence and to identify positive ways to make things improve (E)
• Be willing to spend at least 12 months at L’Arche London, preferably longer (E)
Qualifications:
• Evidence of a commitment to continuing professional development (E)
• Relevant degree in an area such as management or social care (D)
TERMS AND CONDITIONS:
For full term and conditions please see the L'Arche contract:
• The pay for this role is the usual rate for (live-in or live-out) Support Assistants with a £1200 additional responsibility allowance, up to a maximum of £20,100
• Due to Government immigration laws the role is only open to those assistants from the EU or with a full working visa/permit. Unfortunately those on ‘Tier Five’ visas are unable to apply.
• Total working hours are 40 hours per week (excluding lunch breaks). We would be willing to consider part-time or job share options. These hours will be spread over the week, including evenings, weekends and bank holidays. Senior Support Assistants will also be required to do sleepovers, for which additional payment is available.
• There is no payment for overtime. Time off in lieu will be given when circumstances require the post-holder to work extra hours.
• The post is subject to a probationary period of 3 months and an annual appraisal in line with Community policy.