Hoffmann Foundation for Autism

March 2016

Waking Nights Support Worker

Job Title: Waking Nights Support Worker Responsible to: Unit Manager Hours: 20 hours per week Salary: £8.33 per hour Based at: Various ______

Job Summary

The Waking Nights Support Worker post requires the staff to be awake for the whole shift, to support adults with learning disabilities and/or autism during the night and to provide support with personal care, as appropriate. The waking night staff must base him/herself in the agreed place in the house, usually the kitchen or the office. Waking Nights are expected to be flexible to take account of users’ needs at all times.

Duties

1. To walk the house every hour

2. To take and give handovers

3. To participate in the implementation, monitoring and review of personal development plans, taking account of users’ needs

4. To support service users in line with their PDP and risk assessments

5. To maintain service users’ records in line with organisation policies

6. To support service users in the management of their own personal care in line with their PDP

7. To help service users to handle and plan preparation/consumption of meals and snacks during the night, if appropriate

8. To undertake domestic duties as appropriate including: a. Temperature checks (fridge and freezer) b. Cleaning i. Cupboards ii. Fridge/freezer iii. Ovens iv. Floors v. Bathrooms c. Laundry d. Vacuuming where appropriate e. Cooking

9. To undertake administrative duties as appropriate including reporting and filing

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10. To be subject to spot checks during the night in person or by telephone, by senior staff

11. To assist with relaxation during the night to assist with sleeping (e.g. footbaths, reading, baths, etc) in line with service user PDP

12. To administer medicine where required and after appropriate training

13. At the start of a shift ensure all windows and doors are securely locked and during the night only to answer the door to persons with valid identification.

14. To balance day time commitments with the requirements of a waking nights support worker

15. Not to exceed the maximum daily and weekly working hours as detailed in the Working Time Directive and Hoffmann Foundation for Autism contract, to ensure you are fully fit for work at all times

16. To attend and contribute to staff meetings, workshops, training courses, conferences and seminars as and when appropriate, during the day

17. To attend regular supervision meetings with line manager during the day, by prior arrangement

18. To attend a staff meeting, during the day, at least once a month

19. To understand and observe the need for confidentiality

20. To report immediately to a line manager any incident, suspicion or sign of physical, verbal, mental, sexual or financial abuse of a service user

21. To act at all times in accordance with Hoffmann Foundation for Autism policies and procedures, especially equal opportunities, confidentiality and health and safety

22. To undertake any other reasonable duties required by the Support Manager

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______

Person Specification

Skills and Qualities

 Able to prioritise the needs of the post over other daytime activities

 Ability to communicate clearly and effectively in verbal and written forms

 Patience, warmth and understanding

 Empathetic understanding of people with learning disabilities/autism

 Ability to view situations objectively and manage conflict

 Ability to organise your own time

 Ability to manage difficult and challenging behaviour

 Ability to manage personal stress

 Flexibility to adjust to the needs of the users and other staff team members

Experience and Qualifications

 Preferably 1 year’s experience of working with this service user group

 Preferably NVQ Level 2 (or higher) or working towards it

 Basic education to GCSE or equivalent

Knowledge

 Understanding of autism and learning disabilities

 Knowledge of Care Standards Act 2000

 Understanding of the key working system

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Other Job Information

1. Annual salary review in July of each year based on the inflation rate and inflation increase received by Hoffmann Foundation for Autism by funders, subject to Board approval

2. Personal pension scheme offered after three months (subject to satisfactory probationary review) – 3% of basic salary

3. Salary paid monthly by direct credit to bank account on 26th of each month (or nearest working day)

4. Authorised overtime is paid at £8.33 per hour

5. Working week arranged by a shift rota system

6. 30 days annual leave inclusive of statutory bank holidays (amounts as shown on holiday policy), pro rata for part time

7. Probationary period of six months, with review after 3 months. One week’s notice on either side during this period

8. Waking nights workers must inform Hoffmann Foundation for Autism if they are: a. Attending college during the day b. Working in employment during the day

9. Hoffmann Foundation for Autism has a no-smoking policy on all its premises.