Support Worker

Support Worker

Reports to: Outreach/Shared Housing Manager

Job Purpose

The role of a Support Worker is to assess, monitor and support young people who have been referred to LCS Partnerships. The worker will be allocated a number of young people to support and must work to the referral form, pathway plan, risk assessment and other assessments to effectively support young people to move towards independence and educational achievement.

The young people cared for by LCS Partnerships are vulnerable and the worker must work with other agencies to provide a holistic service, which empowers young people to make positive choices about their lives.

Developing and Maintaining Relationships with Young People

• To support, monitor and assess the people with whom they work in accordance with the individual referral form, Care Plan, Placement Agreement and Risk Assessment
• To communicate with the young people with whom you work and their parents/carers, to empower them to make informed decisions and to advocate on their behalf when appropriate, with a Keyworker
• To work in partnership with relevant agencies and departments in relation to the young people with whom you work including Youth Offending, CAMHS, Education and others
• To maintain appropriate links with the community in which the young person is placed
• To offer practical support and guidance to young people in line with their individual care plans to enable them to develop the skills needed to live independently and to achieve in their education
• To support young people to access education provision

Safeguarding and Protecting

• To work to LCS Safeguarding Children and Young People Policy
• To ensure the protection and safeguarding of children and young people from harm at all times and to report any concerns to management immediately
• To notify LCS management of any concerns with regard to either the young people with whom you work, the placement accommodation, liaison with other agencies, etc.
• To be prepared to deal with emergencies and to take appropriate action, including out of hours when necessary
• To inform out of hours duty by email if you have concerns about any young person who may require support out of hours or if you are responding to an out of hours emergency

Safeguarding and Protecting

• To work to LCS Safeguarding Children and Young People Policy
• To ensure the protection and safeguarding of children and young people from harm at all times and to report any concerns to management immediately
• To notify LCS management of any concerns with regard to either the young people with whom you work, the placement accommodation, liaison with other agencies, etc.
• To be prepared to deal with emergencies and to take appropriate action, including out of hours when necessary
• To inform out of hours duty by email if you have concerns about any young person who may require support out of hours or if you are responding to an out of hours emergency
• To ensure a comprehensive handover of work to a colleague

Finance and Administration

• To ensure that the young person’s personal file is kept up to date with all necessary information
• To be responsible for maintaining and submitting daily records with regard to all financial matters for which you are involved e.g. petty cash. A manager must sign off all petty cash forms
• To submit comprehensive reports regarding young people to the placing authority as required and to keep accurate records with regard to case reporting and administrative matters

Professional Development

• To undertake monthly supervision and to fully participate in an annual appraisal, team meetings and other relevant meetings and training as required by LCS.
• To attend training as required for your role and to keep your knowledge and understanding relevant and current. Staff must attend Safeguarding Children training at least every two years.

Health and Safety

• To inform LCS management of any incident, accident, emergency or apparent risk in accordance with our policy and procedures and to complete an incident/accident form as part of the reporting process.

Equalities

• To ensure that all practice is free from direct and indirect discrimination and adheres to equal opportunities legislation and LCS policy and procedures.

General Expectations of the Role

• To work to the LCS Code of Conduct and to represent our organisation in an appropriate and professional manner at all times
• To be aware of and work within the framework of all LCS policies and procedures.
• To be accountable to their Line Manager
• To be contactable by LCS at all times when on duty, via landline or mobile phone supplied by LCS if applicable
• To be able to respond to emergencies, including contact with other agencies
• To fulfill any other reasonable duties relevant to the scope of this post as may be required by LCS
• To ensure you have available to you a motor vehicle which is roadworthy, taxed and insured for business purposes (if applicable)
• To maintain records where necessary, ensuring these are wholly accurate, up-todate and completed in a timely manner
• To undertake any training required in order to perform the role more effectively
• To display a flexible, dependable, confident attitude
• To assist the service user in their day to day living within their own home
• To carry out light cleaning tasks such as tidying rooms, laundry, washing up
• Answer the door and telephone, greet visistors
• To inform LCS in a timely manner if you are unable to attend an assignment that you have commited to